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NJ Blows Through Storm Cleanup Budget

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - New Jersey Transportation Commissioner James Simpson says the state has already blown through its storm cleanup budget for the winter.

New Jersey Transportation Department spokesman Joe Dee told WCBS 880's Monica Miller it's already cost about $20 million to clean up the storms this winter.

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"Typically, we go beyond that (budget). We seek supplemental funding from the Treasury. And last year, for instance, the total was 41 million dollars. So, clearly we were beyond the supplemental funding then," said Dee.

Simpson testified Monday before the Assembly Transportation Committee. It was examining how the state handled the post-Christmas snowstorm that crippled parts of the state.

The Dec. 26 storm dumped nearly 3 feet of snow in parts of the state. More than 550 vehicles had to be removed from state roads, and some went unplowed for days in the hardest hit areas along the central New Jersey coast. That storm was one of nine storms that required cleanup by the state.

Simpson maintained that state did a good job given the severity of the storm, but says communication improvements can be made.

Dee also said New Jersey may be dealing with a financial crisis, but that won't stop their department from clearing the roads to keep motorists safe.

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