N.J. Turnpike widening tree replacement starts in Robbinsville, East Windsor

N.J. Turnpike widening tree replacement starts in Robbinsville, East Windsor | NJ.com

Two towns that protested the effects of the widening of the New Jersey Turnpike have begun spending the millions awarded them for the loss of forested land.

After a lawsuit brought by the municipalities for damages to forests, an agreement struck last October with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Turnpike Authority granted the affected towns $11.3 million over a three-year period.

Robbinsville, which this year received $1.2 million in reforestation funds, planted 192 flowering cherry trees along a walking path on Lake Drive.

East Windsor has nearly finished the first phase of planting in a similar $1.3 million project. The township is spending $572,000 to plant 4,400 trees at the playing fields on Disbrow Hill Road and on land along Milford Road. East Windsor and Robbinsville are slated to receive more money for trees in the next few years, through legislative appropriations.