Road project continues despite ‘crazy uncle’ Christie, NJ mayor says

PISCATAWAY -- A New Jersey mayor says that he won't stop a transportation project in his town and that he views Gov. Chris Christie as a "crazy uncle."

Democratic Piscataway Mayor Brian Wahler told News 12 New Jersey Wednesday that his town's residents are his first priority, "not the crazies down in Trenton."

The Republican governor ordered all state-funded non-emergency road projects stopped last Friday after he and lawmakers were unable to agree on a plan to replenish the state's transportation trust fund.

Wahler says he is continuing with construction on School Street, which connects Rutgers University's campus with a major roadway. He says only about 20 percent of the funding for the project comes from the state.

Christie's office says that anyone who defies the shutdown will assume any risk.

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