Attorneys representing the state of New Jersey responded to the allegations of a class action lawsuit rising from the "bridge-gate" scandal.
Paul Berger digs into court documents filed Tuesday on behalf of a slew of defendants, including the state of New Jersey and the Port Authority," in response to a "class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Bergen County commuters and taxi drivers who were stalled in traffic when two Fort Lee access lanes to the George Washington Bridge were closed without notice in September 2013."
The lawsuit has brought renewed focus on "Bridge-gate," with the back and forth between lawyers providing some perspective about the way the public thinks about traffic. "The class-action suit was filed at the beginning of 2014 on behalf of commuters and taxi drivers who say they used gas, lost time, and suffered emotional and economic damages because of delays caused by the closure of two of the three access lanes to the GWB in Fort Lee" according to Berger. In response, the defendants' case sums up like so: "You can’t sue for getting stuck in a traffic jam."
One class action lawsuit has already been tossed out of court. U.S. District Judge Jose Linares in June dismissed a case involving the same parties pack in August. The plaintiffs were, however, offered a chance to resubmit its case with additional facts to support its claims.
Read the full story: Lawsuit over GWB lane closures assailed in court filings
Bridgegate Winding Down
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie was never charged in the scandal that shut down access to the nation's busiest bridge for three days in September 2013 for political retribution. His aide and an appointment to the Port Authority were sentenced to prison.
Bridgegate Implications for New Jersey and Beyond
In The New York Times Sunday Review, Matt Katz, a political reporter for WNYC and New Jersey Public Radio, gives an update on the federal trial for 'Bridgegate' and also paints a bleak picture for New Jersey, and maybe the United States.
Three Charged in Gov. Christie's 'Bridgegate' Scandal
A culmination of sorts for the "Bridgegate" scandal—though three former allies of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have been indicted (one pleading guilty), Gov. Christie has not been implicated in the controversy.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.
St. Louis Metro to test if single-car trains can reduce operating costs, maintain rider satisfaction
The pilot program will run from October to spring 2027, and begin with one single-car train operating on Metrolink’s Red and Blue lines.
Pennsylvania is building data centers in abandoned mines
Housing data centers in mines provides an alternative to destroying local forests and may spare residents from data centers’ noise and air pollution.
If Corpus Christi can’t revive desalination plant project, it may owe Texas $235 million
Earlier this month, city officials declined to pursue developing the plant for the second time in a year.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello