Bill Would Designate Stone Harbor Boulevard Interchange of the Garden State Parkway as the Christopher Meyer Memorial Interchange
(TRENTON) – Legislation Assemblyman Sgt. Robert Andrzejczak sponsored to designate the Stone Harbor Boulevard Interchange of the Garden State Parkway as the Christopher Meyer Memorial Interchange in honor of the 17-year-old whose death at the dangerous intersection helped spur the removal of the traffic lights at dangerous Parkway intersections was approved 78-0 Monday by the Assembly.
The bill (A-2301) directs the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to designate the Stone Harbor Boulevard Interchange of the Garden State Parkway as the Christopher Meyer Memorial Interchange.
In November 2004, 17-year-old Christopher was tragically killed in a car accident at the Stone Harbor Boulevard intersection of the Garden State Parkway. Since 2004, three people, including Christopher, have died as a result of car accidents at the Shell Bay Avenue, Stone Harbor Boulevard and Crest Haven Road intersections of the Garden State Parkway. Since his son’s death, Erik Meyer, Christopher Meyer’s father, has been an advocate for the removal of the traffic lights at those intersections on the Garden State Parkway.
“This bill honors the life of Christopher Meyer and the work of his father,” said Andrzejczak (D-Atlantic/Cape May/Cumberland). “Nothing we do can bring back Christopher and the others we’ve lost at these intersections, but their legacy will include saving countless other lives through the safety improvements advocated by Mr. Meyer. This bill ensures Christopher’s life and the advocacy of his father will never be forgotten.”
The bill provides that no state, New Jersey Turnpike Authority or other public funds may be used for the producing, purchasing or erecting the signs bearing the designation.
Recently, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the state approved a plan to replace the traffic lights at the intersections with ramps to provide full access interchanges and improve vehicle safety.
“As the traffic lights are removed from the Shell Bay Avenue, Stone Harbor Boulevard and the Crest Haven Road intersections of the Garden State Parkway, it is altogether fitting and proper that we honor the life of Christopher Meyer and the tireless work of his father, Erik Meyer, who sought the safety improvements at these intersections, by naming the Stone Harbor Boulevard Interchange as the Christopher Meyer Memorial Interchange,” Andrzejczak said. “This is a simple step that honors those who try to make our communities better places to live.”
The bill will now be referred to the Senate.