Atlantic City, the famous gambling resort in New Jersey, is facing a legal challenge from a group of casinos and a hospital over its plan to reduce the main road through the city from four lanes to two. The project, known as the “road diet”, aims to improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow, but opponents argue that it will create more congestion and harm the city’s economy.
Road Diet Sparks Controversy
The road diet is part of a $24 million repaving and traffic light synchronization project that is funded by federal and state grants. The project involves narrowing Atlantic Avenue, the main artery that runs parallel to the Boardwalk and connects the casinos, hotels, shops, and restaurants in the city. The project also includes adding bike lanes, crosswalks, and parking spaces along the road.
The city’s mayor, Marty Small, announced the start of the project on December 12, 2023, saying that it will make Atlantic City more attractive and safer for visitors and residents. He said that the project is based on studies and best practices from other cities that have implemented similar road diets.
However, the project has met with strong opposition from the Casino Association of New Jersey, which represents Atlantic City’s casinos, and AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, the city’s largest hospital. They filed a lawsuit on December 23, 2023, seeking to stop the road diet, claiming that it will cause traffic jams, delay emergency vehicles, and discourage tourists from coming to the city.
The lawsuit also alleges that the city did not follow the proper procedures to obtain approval from the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), which oversees the Atlantic City Special Improvement District, where parts of Atlantic Avenue are located. The lawsuit asks the court to issue an injunction to halt the road diet until the city complies with the CRDA’s regulations.
Court Hearing Scheduled for January
The lawsuit is scheduled to be heard by New Jersey Superior Court Assignment Judge Michael Blee on January 26, 2024. Blee denied the plaintiffs’ request for an immediate work stoppage, saying that he needs more time to review the case and hear arguments from both sides.
The plaintiffs expressed disappointment with Blee’s decision, saying that the road diet will be completed by the time the hearing takes place, and that it will be difficult and costly to undo the damage. They urged the city to pause the project until the court rules on the matter.
The city defended its plan, saying that it has the authority and the responsibility to implement the road diet, which is a condition of the federal and state grants that fund the project. The city also said that the road diet will not affect the traffic flow or the emergency response times, and that it will benefit the city’s economy and environment in the long run.
Atlantic City Struggles to Recover from Pandemic
The road diet controversy comes at a time when Atlantic City is struggling to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the casinos to close for several months in 2020 and 2021, and reduced the number of visitors and revenues. The city, which has been under state supervision since 2016 due to its financial troubles, is also facing competition from neighboring states that have legalized sports betting and online gambling.
The road diet project is seen by some as a way to revitalize Atlantic City and make it more appealing to a wider range of tourists, not just gamblers. The project is also supported by some local businesses and residents, who say that it will make the city more walkable, bikeable, and livable.
However, others fear that the project will backfire and hurt the city’s main industry, which is still dependent on the casinos and their customers. They argue that the road diet will create more traffic problems, especially during the peak summer season, and that it will make Atlantic City less accessible and convenient for visitors who drive to the city.
The outcome of the lawsuit and the road diet project could have a significant impact on the future of Atlantic City, which is trying to balance its need for economic development and its desire for urban improvement.
