The Atlantic City Road diet continues, with the judge finding there was no "irreparable harm."
Narrowing work will continue on Atlantic Avenue in Atlantic City. A state judge ruled that casino plaintiffs who asked the court to stop the project failed to show irreparable harm.
New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Michael Bligh on Friday denied a request for a preliminary injunction from five Boardwalk casinos and a local health care system. The plaintiffs argue that there are reduced number of lanes on Atlantic Avenue. The increase from four to two vehicles will further increase traffic congestion, which is an unattractive sight for guests arriving at the casino and could delay emergency vehicles trying to respond to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's life-saving services.
The Court does not consider the personal inconvenience to residents and visitors to be irreparable harm,” Bly wrote.
Atlantic City officials, including Mayor Marty Small, believe restricting the city's major thoroughfares as part of a "road diet" will improve pedestrian safety. Nearly 10 percent of the more than 800 crashes that occurred on Atlantic Avenue occurred on Atlantic Avenue. Between 2013 and 2017, a pedestrian was involved.
Reducing lanes from four to two would reduce sidewalks on Atlantic Avenue. Widen to make walking easier and prevent pedestrians from entering the street to avoid slower people.
Planned test version
Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, Resorts and Tropicana cited increased congestion on Atlantic Avenue. Will further affect the guest's arrival experience.
Atlantic City Expressway to Baltic Boulevard. and Christopher Columbus Blvd. Guests can go directly to Caesars restaurants or turn left or right onto Atlantic Ave. Achieve their Casino Goals.
The Atlantic City Boardwalk and AtlantiCare Casinos are disappointed with today's decision," said Mark Giannantonio, President of the New Jersey Casino Association and Resort Casino Hotels. "We firmly believe that this change in traffic patterns on Atlantic Avenue could have serious consequences for public health, safety and security. and have a very real impact on overall well-being. "
Despite Atlantic Blvd. It has four lanes and is very busy in the summer with large events and concerts.
Ocean Casino Resort, the northernmost casino on the Boardwalk, and the three Boardwalk casinos — the Borgata, Harrah's and Golden Nugget — are not involved in the Road Diet lawsuit.
The case will proceed to a full trial, but that is not expected until February 2025. The road narrowing project is expected to be completed this spring. The project started last month and is currently about halfway complete.
Bly said if the lawsuit goes the plaintiffs' way, Atlantic Ave. Markings were made to make the road four lanes again.
Casino enemies, not friends
The casino and AtlantiCare argued that the narrow road would require approval from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), the agency that oversees the city's tourist district, which includes Atlantic Avenue. was shortened. The city argued that the state had final discretion and that the CRDA was not involved in the lawsuit, a point Blee agreed with.
Bligh's ruling is his latest decision targeting the Atlantic City casino industry. In 2022, Bly rescinded an agreement between New Jersey lawmakers and casinos that would have significantly reduced the amount they paid under the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) program.
Bly said the state's willingness to exclude revenue from iGaming and online sports betting from property taxes collectively paid by casinos violates the state constitution. This is because it gives tax benefits to an industry that has no "public purpose".
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Source: www.casino.org
