A New Jersey legislative panel approved a plan April 28 to merge oversight of the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.

The bill would enable the Turnpike to assume the operations, facilities and financial obligations of the New Jersey Highway Authority, which operates the Garden State Parkway.

Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere told the Courier News that the money saved – as much as $4 million this year and $10 million by 2008 – would be reinvested for toll road improvements and help offset the cost of installing E-ZPass.

The Assembly Transportation Committee voted 6-0 in favor of the merger. S2352 now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.