Sponsored by:
Senator JEFF VAN DREW
District 1 (Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Designates shared use walkway on State Highway Route No. 52 Causeway as "John 'Marty' Coggins Memorial Path."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act designating the shared use walkway on the State Highway Route No. 52 Causeway as the "John 'Marty' Coggins Memorial Path."
Whereas, State Highway Route No. 52 connects Somers Point in Atlantic County to Ocean City in Cape May County; and
Whereas, In 1975, John 'Marty' Coggins was riding a bicycle over the State Highway Route No. 52 Causeway when he was tragically hit and killed by an automobile on the bridge; and
Whereas, As a result of this accident and to protect the safety and welfare of pedestrians and bicyclists, the old State Highway Route No. 52 Causeway was permanently closed to pedestrians and bicyclists; and
Whereas, The New Jersey Department of Transportation began construction of a project to replace the State Highway Route No. 52 Causeway bridges and the roadway section between Somers Point and Ocean City in 2006 and is expected to have construction completed in 2012: and
Whereas, The new State Highway Route No. 52 Causeway will have a 10-foot wide pedestrian and bicycle path extend the full length of the bridge, separated from the shoulder by a protected railing; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper that the State of New Jersey honor John 'Marty' Coggins and dedicate the shared used walkway over the new State highway Route No. 52 Causeway in honor of his memory; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Commissioner of Transportation shall designate the shared use walkway on the State Highway Route No. 52 Causeway as the "John 'Marty' Coggins Memorial Path" and shall erect appropriate signs bearing this name.
2. No State or other public funds shall be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act. The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive gifts, grants, or other financial assistance from private sources for the purpose of funding or reimbursing the Department of Transportation for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, and erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act and entering into agreements related thereto, with such private sources, including but not limited to non-governmental non-profit, educational or charitable entities or institutions. No work shall proceed, and no funding shall be accepted by the Department of Transportation until an agreement has been reached with a responsible party for paying the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting and maintaining the signs.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill designates the shared use walkway on the State Highway Route No. 52 Causeway as the "John 'Marty' Coggins Memorial Path" in honor of his memory. In 1975, John 'Marty' Coggins was riding a bicycle over the State Highway Route No. 52 Causeway when he was tragically hit and killed by an automobile on the bridge.