N.J. Stat. tit. 32, ch. 12

N.J. Stat. tit. 32, ch. 12
in effect

N.J. Stat. § 32:12-1 Joint construction of bridge or tunnel

Three or more counties of this state whose territory is contiguous, and one of which is partially bounded by a navigable stream or river which is one of the boundaries of the state, may join together as provided in this chapter for the purpose of constructing and maintaining one or more bridges or tunnels, as may be suitable or necessary, across or under such stream or river to provide passage for traffic of all kinds.

N.J. Stat. § 32:12-2 Appointment of commission; resolutions of counties

Upon the filing in the office of the secretary of state of the consent and request of any three or more of such counties, expressed and declared by resolution duly passed at a regular meeting of the governing bodies of such counties, after such notice and in such form as is required to obligate a county to enter into a legal contract for the payment of money, the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint three suitable persons from each of said counties, and one person a resident of the state but not a resident of any of such counties, who shall be known as "The river bridge and tunnel commission" (inserting in the blank space the name of the stream or river).

N.J. Stat. § 32:12-3 Terms of commissioners; vacancies; compensation

One commissioner from each of the counties shall be appointed for one year, one for two years, and one for three years, and one from each county shall be appointed annually thereafter for a term of three years. The person appointed a commissioner, but who shall not reside in any of such counties, shall be appointed for a term of three years. Upon a vacancy occurring in the office of any commissioner for any reason, his successor shall be appointed for the unexpired term only. The commissioners shall serve without remuneration.

N.J. Stat. § 32:12-4 Corporate powers of commission

The commission shall be a body corporate, adopt a seal, and have power to sue and be sued.

N.J. Stat. § 32:12-5 Contents of resolution; division of costs of plans and specifications

The resolution adopted as provided in section 32:12-2 of this title shall authorize the commission to prepare the plans and specifications and procure estimates of the cost and maintenance of the bridge or tunnel. The cost to each of the counties of preparing the plans and specifications and procuring such estimates shall be fixed in the resolution, not exceeding however, a cost to each of the counties of the sum of ten thousand dollars, which sum such counties shall agree to become responsible for and pay. In no event shall a county be bound by any action of its board of freeholders until the board of freeholders, respectively, of two other counties shall have each also adopted the resolution calling for the appointment of the bridge and tunnel commission. If any board of freeholders shall adopt such resolution, the same shall become void unless re-enacted, after a period of six months from its original adoption, in the event that similar resolutions shall not in the meantime have been adopted by two other counties.

N.J. Stat. § 32:12-6 Plans, specifications and estimates

The commission shall select the location of the proposed bridge or tunnel, procure and have made and prepared the necessary plans and specifications thereof, and make the necessary and proper estimates of the cost of construction of the same. It may employ such engineers, counsel, clerks and other assistants as may be necessary to have the plans and specifications prepared.

N.J. Stat. § 32:12-7 Transmission of plans, specifications and other information to counties

After the preparation of such plans and specifications and estimate of cost, the commission shall transmit them, duly certified, to the governing bodies, respectively, of each county which has consented to the appointment of the commission, together with all the information and other data concerning the cost of construction and maintenance of the bridge or tunnel, which the commission has procured or has in its possession.

N.J. Stat. § 32:12-8 Request by resolution to proceed with construction; limitation on cost

Not later than one year after the receipt by each of the governing bodies of such counties of such plans, specifications and estimates, they may by proper resolution request the commission to proceed with the construction of the bridge or tunnel, but one-half of the total cost thereof shall not exceed three per cent of the tax ratables of the real and personal property of the counties for the last preceding year. The resolution shall be in such form and of such effect as to obligate each of the counties for the amounts agreed to be paid by them in the resolution.

N.J. Stat. § 32:12-9 Construction of bridge or tunnel; contracts

Upon receipt of such request in the form provided for from at least three of the counties, the commission is authorized and empowered to proceed with the construction of the bridge or tunnel in accordance with and subject to such limitations or restrictions as the governing bodies of the counties may prescribe. The commission, in conjunction with a similar body appointed by the state, county or municipality with which the bridge or tunnel will connect, or with such state, county or municipality, may enter into the necessary contracts for the erection, equipment and operation of the bridge or tunnel.

N.J. Stat. § 32:12-10 Agreement as to method of payment of cost

The method of providing for the payment of the cost of constructing the bridge or tunnel and the expense of operating and maintaining the same, so far as such cost and expense shall be a charge upon the counties consenting to the appointment of the commission, shall be determined by the governing bodies of such counties in agreement with the commission. Such cost and expense shall, by the terms of the agreement, be distributed among said counties and borne by each of them in such proportion as may be set out in the agreement. From time to time as the building of the bridge or tunnel progresses, the commission may require each of the counties to pay the commission its proportionate share of the cost of building and maintenance.

N.J. Stat. § 32:12-11 Bonds

Such counties may issue bonds to provide the necessary money to make the payments required by the commission as provided in section 32:12-10 of this title. The bonds shall be in such amounts, shall bear interest not exceeding five per cent per annum and shall be payable at such time and place as the governing bodies of the counties may, by resolution, fix and determine.

N.J. Stat. § 32:12-12 Necessity of counties assuming obligation to pay share of cost

The commission shall not incur any expense or charge for the construction of the bridge or tunnel, except for the preliminary plans and surveys and estimate of cost, until the proper county or municipality with which the bridge or tunnel shall connect, shall be duly authorized and shall have duly entered into a binding obligation with the commission to pay one-half of the cost of constructing the bridge or tunnel and the repair and maintenance of the same. In addition to the share of the cost of constructing the bridge or tunnel, the cost of maintenance and repair thereof, less such sums as may be received for the use of the bridge or tunnel from tolls or otherwise, shall be paid each year by such counties to the commission.

N.J. Stat. § 32:12-13 Agreement with commission from other state

The commission may, subject to the restrictions contained in this chapter and those imposed upon it by the counties, enter into an agreement with a similar commission or body of such other state, county or municipality with which the bridge or tunnel shall connect, or with such state, county or municipality, for the joint maintenance and operation of the same, and fix such tolls as may be just, reasonable and proper, and for the proper policing, lighting and keeping of the bridge or tunnel, and generally for the carrying out of the provisions of this chapter.

N.J. Stat. § 32:12-14 Acquisition of real estate

The commission may, in its own corporate name, purchase and acquire all lands, rights and interests in lands, either within or without the territory of such counties, which may be necessary for the construction of the bridge or tunnel. For this purpose the commission may condemn the real estate in the manner provided by the general laws of this state relating to the condemnation of lands for public use.

N.J. Stat. § 32:12-15 Work and material; advertisement for bids; award of contract; bond

Whenever work to be performed or material to be furnished involves an expenditure of a sum exceeding two thousand dollars, the commission shall designate the time when it will meet at the usual place of meeting to receive proposals in writing for doing the work and furnishing the material. The commission shall order its clerk to give notice by advertisement, inserted in at least two newspapers printed and circulating respectively in each of such counties, at least ten days before the meeting, of the work to be done and materials to be furnished. At the time of such order, the commission shall file in its office particular specifications of such work and material. All proposals received shall be publicly opened by the commission and the contract shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. All contractors shall be required to give bond, satisfactory in amount and security, to the commission.

N.J. Stat. § 32:12-16 Approval of agreement by three Superior Court judges; public hearing; limit of expenditure

Notwithstanding the agreement and consent of three or more counties, the commission shall not be authorized to take any proceedings or incur any expense or obligation until the terms and conditions of the agreement and consent shall have been reviewed and approved by three judges of the Superior Court, especially designated by the Governor for that purpose. The judges shall designate a time and place for the holding of a public hearing on the question of the approval of the terms of the agreement, at which hearing all persons interested may be heard. If the agreement is approved and confirmed by the three judges, the same shall be binding upon the counties consenting to the agreement, but in no event shall the obligation to be assumed or imposed upon any county for the construction of any bridges or tunnels exceed ten million dollars ($10,000,000.00). Amended by L.1953, c. 31, p. 565, s. 11.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026