New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has ordered a weeklong halt of hundreds of transportation projects in the state—a move one association said will ultimately cost taxpayers there millions of dollars.

Christie ordered the shutdown last week after New Jersey lawmakers failed to reach a deal on raising the state's gas tax, the New York Times reported. The shutdown, which began Friday, is supposed to conserve what money remains in the state's rapidly shrinking transportation fund. http://nyti.ms/29yW990

However, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association said despite intentions, the shutdown will be costly to New Jersey taxpayers. The group estimates the state will lose up to $1.3 million a day in lost sales, economic activity and wages. It also said the work stoppage will result in $39 million in mobilization costs, which includes both shutting down construction sites and reopening them.

"There are no winners in this situation," ARTBA Chief Economist Alison Premo Black said. "Important transportation projects that are designed to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion will come to a grinding halt. Workers will be sidelined and lose wages. It's a recipe for market chaos."

So far the shutdown is scheduled to last only a week. ARTBA warns that the longer the projects remain closed, the more damage will occur to the state's economy as construction workers and firms lose money. http://bit.ly/29yfV1W

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