Trump now supporting Atlantic City tunnel project

Thursday, Sept. 21, 2000 | 2:06 a.m.

The 2.2-mile road-and-tunnel connector, which the state is paying $110 million to build, will link the Atlantic City Expressway with the marina district, allowing incoming motorists to drive right to casinos without going through city streets.

It is scheduled to be completed next spring.

Casino owner Donald Trump, who has bitterly fought the project for years, calling it a taxpayer-funded gift to his competitors, now says he likes it.

"Now, I'm very much in favor of the tunnel project. It will be a great boost for Atlantic City," he told The Press of Atlantic City.

Trump is in negotiations with the South Jersey Transportation Authority, which will own the road when it is completed, to drop his lawsuits challenging the project in exchange for the addition of a ramp on the connector that would make it easier for motorists to enter his Trump Marina casino.

"What it does is give Trump Marina wonderful circulation, which it didn't have," said Trump.

Trump said he would help the state pay for the cost of the extra ramp, but he isn't saying how much the total will be.

Nor is South Jersey Transportation Authority executive director James Crawford, who confirmed the talks Thursday but would release no details. He said he hopes to have an agreement within two weeks.

"We believe that what is being discussed will end up being in the best interest of the casinos in the marina district and of the residents of Atlantic City and Brigantine," Crawford said.

He said if the ramp is added, it won't delay completion of the connector, scheduled for next May.