An Act designating the interchange between State Highway Route 42 and Interstate Highway Route 295 as the Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Interchange.
Whereas, On July 22, 2000, a drunk driver hit and killed John R. Elliott, a recent graduate of the United States Naval Academy, who had been driving from Annapolis, Maryland to his family home in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey to celebrate his mothers birthday; and
Whereas, The accident occurred at 1:30 a.m. in the morning while Mr. Elliott was traveling on State Highway Route 40, east of Woodstown, New Jersey; and
Whereas, In November of 2023, two new exit ramps were opened, connecting State Highway Route 42 and Interstate Highway Route 295; and
Whereas, The new connection between the two roadways is expected to improve traffic conditions on local routes and will provide a more direct route for travelers; and
Whereas, To honor the life and tragic loss of Mr. Elliott, it is fitting and proper to designate the newly-built interchange that connects State Highway Route 42 with Interstate Highway Route 295 as the Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Interchange, which interchange will improve traffic safety on our roadways; 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 interchange between State Highway Route 42 and Interstate Highway Route 295 as the Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Interchange and erect appropriate signs bearing this designation and dedication.
2. State or other public funds shall not 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, erecting, and maintaining signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act and entering into agreements related thereto, with private sources, including, but not limited to, non-governmental non-profit, educational, or charitable entities or institutions. Work shall not proceed and funding shall not 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.
Approved August 22, 2024.