The research will collect data answering a set of critical questions about the NJ/NY rail tunnels, together with companion questions necessary to analyze the nature, scope, direction, and intensity of public opinion with regard to funding the replacement, reconstruction, and/or supplementation of these vital rail link. More specifically, we seek to collect and analyze data from the New Jersey general public on:

– the frequency of tunnel usage; the degree of awareness of the state of disrepair of the tunnel link;

– the degree of awareness of the importance of the tunnel link to the state and regional economies;

– the relative ranking of the importance of replacement, reconstruction, and/or supplementation of the tunnel link compared to other issue NJ will face over the next half-decade;

– the relative ranking of transportation funding priorities, assuming resources from a state transportation bond issue, compared  – to the replacement, reconstruction, and/or supplementation of the tunnel link; and

– the level of support for a users fee to fund replacement, reconstruction, and/or supplementation of the tunnel link.

Further, in an effort to develop policy recommendations for communicating with the general public about the importance of funding to repair or replace the tunnel link, we seek to test the extent to which these attitudes are determined by other related attitudes and factors, including, but not limited to political perspectives, values orientation, SES, and prior experiences.