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Platform Update

August 2009

ACTION ITEMS

 

ARC MASS TRANSIT TUNNEL:  In early June, officials gathered to break ground on the $8.7 billion ARC Mass Transit Tunnel project, the nation’s largest current transit project. Recently, the New York City Planning Commission approved plans to advance the project, which includes an expansion of Penn Station under 34th Street and other project facilities. The council's vote allows tunnel work to progress simultaneously on both sides of the Hudson River .

 

The ARC Mass Transit Tunnel project, being built in partnership with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, is anticipated to double the number of trains that can travel under the Hudson between New York and New Jersey from 23 to 48 per hour. The project will also double the peak period passenger capacity from 46,000 to 90,000. The extra train service is expected to eliminate 22,000 automobile trips a day. The project will create approximately 6,000 construction-related jobs annually and is expected to be completed by 2017.

 

To view the NJ groundbreaking event, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf3PNrM-Ahk

 

Advocating for the prioritization and funding for the Mass Transit Tunnel is a primary goal of the P4P Transportation Coalition.

 

NJ TURNPIKE & GARDEN STATE PARKWAY IMPROVEMENTS:  In July, Governor Corzine announced the official groundbreaking of the $2.7 billion NJ Turnpike widening project, scheduled to add 170 lane miles to the Parkway between Interchange 6 (Mansfield Township, Burlington County) and Interchange 9 (East Brunswick, Middlesex County). The project also includes the construction of a new toll plaza at Interchange 8 (East Windsor, Mercer County ). Three lanes in each direction between Interchanges 6 and 8A and one lane in each direction between Interchanges 8A and 9 will be added in this project, the largest widening project in the 58-year history of the Turnpike Authority.

Last week, NJ Turnpike Authority commissioners voted to proceed with awarding a $30 million contract to rebuild and widen two Turnpike bridges at Exit 7A and a ramp over Interstate 195.  Bids for the project have been received and officials expect to award the contract at their August 25 meeting. Construction on the bridges could begin in September.

 

Work has also started on widening the Garden State Parkway between Interchange 80 in Toms River and Interchange 30 in Somers Point. A contract was recently awarded to T&M Associates for additional environmental work to meet conditions of permits granted by the Pinelands Commission for the Parkway widening. Officials have said that widening on the Parkway work won't interfere with summer beach traffic because the majority of the work will be on the parkway shoulders.

 

For the latest information on construction updates, check the NJ Turnpike Authority web site at

http://www.state.nj.us/turnpike/nj-widening.htm.

 

Advocating for the widening of the NJ Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway is a primary goal of the P4P Transportation Coalition.

 

ITEMS OF INTEREST

 

CONGRESS SHORES UP ROAD REPAIR TRUST: On July 30, Congress passed legislation providing a $7 billion emergency measure for the dwindling Highway Trust Fund. President Obama is expected to sign the measure, which ensures that states will be paid for transportation infrastructure projects through September 30, the end of the government's fiscal year. While this legislation is critical to supporting ongoing infrastructure efforts, it is only a short-term solution to an imminent crisis. Congress will still have to address a multi-year surface transportation bill. 

 

JOIN THE “NEXTGENNOW” INITIATIVE:  The shortcomings of the nation's Air Traffic Control system (ATC) are causing chronic congestion and delays at airports across the country. The problems stem from the outdated and limited capabilities of the current ATC system which still relies on ground-based radar technology developed in the first half of last century. Compared to modern and emerging technologies, the current ATC system is slow and cumbersome, resulting in gridlock for all system users and costing airlines and their passengers billions in lost time and efficiency.

 

The employer community is being asked to join the call for upgrading the ATC system by joining the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s coalition to advance NextGen.  The NextGen Initiative incorporates satellite communications technology and provides operational and procedural efficiencies that will ease flight delays. There is no commitment of money or time - just an endorsement of the need to modernize our air traffic control system. Go to www.panynj.gov/NextGenNow to register your organization's support for the National Alliance to Advance NextGen.

 

TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS FOR SOUTH JERSEY: The Delaware River Port Authority continues their work and advocacy regarding the implementation of a strong vision of transit investment for South Jersey . This vision includes a new light rail line from Camden to Glassboro, a bus rapid transit along Routes 42 and 55 and an improved rail connection to Atlantic City and its International Airport along the existing line that originates at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia .  This three-pronged multimodal plan was developed after extensive public outreach, technical analysis and agency coordination and has the support and $500M in funding from the State of New Jersey . For more information on this important regional initiative, go to http://www.drpa.org/projects/regtran/

 

TRIP STUDY DETAILS POOR NJ ROAD AND BRIDGES:  A study by TRIP, a national transportation research group, suggests that a more long-term investment is needed to address NJ’s shoddy road conditions. Additionally, New Jerseyans pay an additional $500 on average annually for car repairs because of poorly maintained roads. To review the study, go to http://www.tripnet.org/NewJerseyReportJune2009.pdf

 

NEW ROAD PROJECTS:  The NJ Department of Transportation recently broke ground on the following new road projects:

 

  • Route 1&9 Pulaski Skyway maintenance repair project in Kearny and Jersey City , Hudson County
  • Route 9 maintenance roadway repair project in Middle, Dennis and Upper townships, Cape May County
  • Route 12/Main Street roundabout construction project in Flemington Borough, Hunterdon County
  • West Academy Street railroad crossing rehabilitation project in Clayton Borough, Gloucester County
  • Route 80 over Berkshire Valley Road bridge rehabilitation project in Roxbury Township , Morris County
  • Route 159 Westbound over Route 46 eastbound bridge replacement project in Montville Township , Morris County
  • I-287 resurfacing project in Franklin Lakes Borough and Oakland Borough, Bergen County

Click here for the previous update.

Michael Egenton
Vice President , Environment & Transportation
New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
216 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
Phone: (609)989-7888 Ext. 119
Fax: (609)989-9696
Michael.Egenton@njchamber.com