Ridgewood Street Upgrades Complete Just in Time for November Vote!

The Timing Tactic: Ridgewood Street Paving Sparks Political Debate

photo courtesy of Village Manager Keith Kazmark

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, just as the crisp fall weather settles in and ballots are being prepared, the Village of Ridgewood, NJ is sporting some freshly paved streets! Taking advantage of the mild weather, the Village completed several key paving projects and sidewalk installations right before the highly-anticipated November elections.

While residents are undoubtedly enjoying the smooth ride, the timing of these visibly beneficial public works has opened up the age-old debate about “pork barrel politics” and the strategic use of public works projects to influence voters.

The Streets That Got the Pre-Election Makeover

Thanks to the late-season paving efforts, several streets across Ridgewood received a much-needed resurfacing. The list of recently completed streets includes:

• Eastbrook Road
• Hammond Road
• Highview Terrace
• Ivy Place
• Linden Street
• Stonycroft Road
• Westgate Road
• Woodside Avenue

In addition to the street paving, the Village also completed new sidewalk installations on South Pleasant Street (from Grove Street to Delaware Avenue), a project partially funded through a grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).

The Political Playbook: Why Roads Get Paved Before Elections

Is the timing purely coincidental? According to political observers and historical studies, it’s a strategy often employed by incumbents globally. Here’s a breakdown of why politicians often time major road-paving projects just before an election:

1. Political Gain & Incumbency Advantage: A newly paved road is a highly visible, tangible benefit that voters experience directly. Delivering this benefit just before an election gives constituents a clear, recent reason to support the incumbents who authorized the spending.
2. Targeting Voter Perception: Studies suggest that less-informed voters sometimes judge a politician’s overall competence based on recent, observable outcomes like a new road. It serves as a strong, immediate signal that the government is “working.”
3. Signaling Competence: Completing a complex project like street paving demonstrates effectiveness and capability to deliver on promises, reinforcing the politician’s image as a strong leader.
4. Rewarding Supporters: Strategically targeting improvements in neighborhoods that are strong bases of support helps to reinforce loyalty and turn out the vote among key constituents.

The Ethical Roadblocks: Cost vs. Transparency

While fresh asphalt is a welcome improvement, the strategic timing of these projects raises important ethical and structural questions about governance:

• Unequal Investment: Prioritizing paving for political reasons can lead to unequal investment across the municipality, potentially neglecting communities or crucial infrastructure that aren’t politically advantageous.
• Maintenance vs. Flashy Construction: This focus on highly visible new construction often comes at the expense of duller but equally vital routine maintenance, leading to greater repair costs down the line.
• Voter Skepticism: Voters are increasingly aware of this tactic. Social media and community discussions often feature residents questioning the sudden surge in public funds for roadwork right before an election.

Whether it’s political savvy or simply efficient project scheduling, the newly paved roads in Ridgewood will be a noticeable benefit to voters as they head to the polls this November.