27:23-4 Definitions.
4. Definitions. As used in this act, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context shall indicate another or different meaning or intent:
"Act" means P.L.1948, c.454 (C.27:23-1 et seq.), as amended and supplemented.
"Authority" means the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, created by section 3 of this act, or, if said authority shall be abolished, the board, body or commission succeeding to the principal functions thereof or to whom the powers given by this act to the authority shall be given by law.
"Bonds" or "transportation revenue bonds" means any bonds, refunding bonds, notes or other obligations issued by the authority authorized under the provisions of this act or issued by or for the Highway Authority.
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Transportation.
"Construction" or "construct" means the planning, designing, construction, development, reconstruction, rehabilitation, redevelopment, replacement, repair, extension, enlargement, improvement and betterment of highway and transportation projects, and includes the demolition, clearance and removal of buildings or structures on land acquired, held, leased or used for those projects.
"Cost" means all or any part of the expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition, construction, operation, management and maintenance of any real property, lands, structures, real or personal property rights, rights-of-way, franchises, easements, and interests acquired or used for a project; any financing charges and reserves for the payment of principal, premium and interest on bonds; the expenses of engineering, appraisal, architectural, accounting, financial, legal and other consulting services; and other expenses as may be necessary, desirable, convenient, or incident to the financing, acquisition, construction, operation, improvement, management, repair and maintenance of a project.
"Credit Agreement" means loan agreement, lease agreement, revolving credit agreement, agreement establishing a line of credit, letter of credit, reimbursement to purchase bonds, purchase or sale agreements, or commitments or other contracts or agreements authorized and approved by the authority in connection with the authorization, issuance, security, purchase, tender, redemption, or payment of bonds.
"Department" means the Department of Transportation.
"Feeder road" means any road or highway project that in the determination of the authority is necessary, desirable or convenient to create or facilitate access to a transportation project.
"Garden State Arts Center" means the Garden State Arts Center, sometimes referred to as the PNC Bank Arts Center, a highway project of the authority.
"Highway project" means the acquisition, operation, improvement, management, repair, construction, including express E-ZPass where determined by the authority, and maintenance of the New Jersey Turnpike and of the Garden State Parkway, including the demolition and removal of toll houses and toll barriers, and of the Garden State Arts Center, as transferred to the authority pursuant to P.L.2003, c.79 (C.27:23-41 et al.), and of any other highway or feeder road at the locations and between the termini as may hereafter be established by the authority or by law and acquired or constructed under the provisions of this act by the authority, and shall include but not be limited to all bridges, parking facilities, public highways, feeder roads, tunnels, overpasses, underpasses, interchanges, traffic circles, grade separations, entrance and exit plazas, approaches, toll houses, service areas, stations and facilities, communications facilities, administration, storage and other buildings and facilities, and other structures directly or indirectly related to a transportation project, intersecting highways and bridges and feeder roads which the authority may deem necessary, desirable, or convenient in its discretion for the operation, maintenance or management, either directly or indirectly, of a transportation project, and includes any planning, design or other preparation work necessary for the execution of any highway project, and adjoining park or recreational areas and facilities, directly or indirectly related to the use of a transportation project as the authority shall find to be necessary and desirable, and the costs associated therewith.
"Land and improvements" means any area or lands, any interest, right or title in land, including but not limited to, any reversionary right, fee, license or leasehold interest and any real or personal property, structure, facility, building or equipment.
"Owner" means all individuals, copartnerships, associations, private or municipal corporations and all political subdivisions of the State having any title or interest in any property, rights, easements and interests authorized to be acquired by this act.
"Parking facility" means any area or place, garage, building, or other improvement or structure for the parking or storage of motor or other vehicles, including but not limited to all real property and personal property, driveways, roads and other structures or areas necessary, useful or convenient for access to a facility from a public street, road or highway, or from any project; meters, mechanical equipment necessary, useful or convenient for or in connection with that parking or storage; and any structures, buildings, space or accommodations, whether constructed by the authority or by the lessee, to be leased for any business, commercial or other use, including the sale of gasoline or accessories for, or the repair or other servicing of automobiles and other motor vehicles, or motorist services, if, in the opinion of the authority, the inclusion, provision and leasing is necessary, desirable or convenient to assist in defraying the expenses of the authority and make possible the operation of the parking facility at reasonable rates.
"Public highway" means all public highways, roads and streets in the State, whether maintained by the State or by any county, city, borough, town, township, village or other political subdivision.
"Real property" means lands within the State, above or below water, and improvements thereof or thereon, or any riparian or other rights or interests therein.
"Transfer Date" means, with respect to the assumption by the authority of the powers, duties, assets and responsibilities of the New Jersey Highway Authority, the date on which the Chair of the authority and the commissioner certify to the Governor that: (i) all bonds issued by the New Jersey Highway Authority cease to be outstanding within the meaning of the resolutions pursuant to which those bonds were issued; and (ii) upon which the authority assumes all debts, and statutory responsibilities and obligations of the New Jersey Highway Authority.
"Transportation project" or "project" means, in addition to highway projects, any other transportation facilities or activities determined necessary or appropriate by the authority in its discretion to fulfill the purposes of the authority, and the costs associated therewith.
L.1948,c.454,s.4; amended 1950, c.1, s.4; 1969, c.197, s.1; 1991, c.183, s.5; 2003,c.79,s.8.