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Platform Update

May 2009

ACTION ITEMS

 

P4P TRANSPORTATION COALITION CONFERENCE CALL:  Last month, Coalition members discussed the status of the major construction projects in the state – the NJ Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway and the ARC Transit Tunnel project. The group agreed to continue to monitor these projects and advocate for their successful completion.  Coalition members also discussed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) as it relates to transportation issues.  Coalition members believed it was important to dispel the notion that the stimulus funding has solved the state’s transportation funding issue.  Platform Chair Hazel Gluck said she would convene a meeting of the coalition at a later date to discuss next steps.

 

P4P Transportation Coalition members are encouraged to sign up for the State Chamber’s breakfast roundtable session with DOT Commissioner Dilts at Forsgate Country Club scheduled for June 9.  To register for the event go here.

ARC TRANSIT TUNNEL UPDATE:  NJ Transit has authorized CM Consortium, a Newark-based firm, to oversee the construction of the ARC Transit Tunnel project.  The firm will evaluate designs, review construction schedules and identify risk and quality control for the $8.7 billion project.  CM Consortium is a joint venture of Tishman Corporation, Parsons Corporation and Arup.

 

The ARC Transit Tunnel project 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 new service also would allow more NJ Transit riders to reach New York without having to change trains in Newark or Secaucus. The extra train service is expected to eliminate 22,000 automobile trips a day.  The project is expected to be completed by 2017 and groundbreaking is targeted for later this spring.

To read the recent Star Ledger article, Burrowing a tunnel under the Hudson River and into the future, go here.

 

Advocating for the prioritization and funding for the ARC is a primary goal of the P4P Transportation Coalition.

 

ITEMS OF INTEREST

 

BAYONNE BRIDGE: Due to the current dimensions of the Bayonne Bridge , vessels calling on the Port are challenged every time they attempt to access Staten Island or the Newark Bay complex.  The current height of the bridge is a major issue for the Port because it restricts certain cargo from being able to reach our docks. Some are forced to fold down their masts or wait for low tide to pass under the bridge to access the terminals.  If the Bayonne Bridge is not raised or replaced, cargo will be delivered elsewhere and New Jersey will lose billions of dollars in Port revenue.  The State Chamber, along with several other stakeholders, have reached out to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey , as well as other bi-state agencies, to make the Bayonne Bridge project a top priority.  Recently, State Chamber President Joan Verplanck joined NY Shipping Association President Frank McDonough and others in Washington to discuss the importance of this issue with members of our NJ congressional delegation, which included Senator Menendez, Congressmen Rothman, Sires, LoBiondo and Lance. 

 

MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS ANNOUNCED:  Over the last several weeks, funding of three major transportation road projects were announced that will make long-term improvements to New Jersey ’s roads:

 

  • A $63 million interchange improvement project that will eliminate the existing Route 70/73 Marlton Circle  and replace it with a new overpass carrying Route 73 over Route 70 in Evesham Township .  Approximately 100,000 cars travel through the circle daily, with a projection of 110,000 by 2029.  Some 820 crashes have been reported at the intersection since 2004, including 42 this year alone, according to police. This makes the circle the second-most dangerous intersection in South Jersey .  The project is anticipated to be completed in 2011.
  • A $47.6 million project to improve safety and relieve congestion on Route 46 and Main Street in Lodi , Bergen County .  The project consists of widening Route 46 to provide a third lane in each direction from Kimmig Street to the vicinity of Hope Street , replacing the Route 46 bridges over Main Street and Saddle River. In addition, NJDOT will widen Main Street to four through-lanes and a center turning lane at Route 46 and will add traffic signals at the ramps from Route 46 to Main Street . NJDOT planned the project in a manner that minimally impacts traffic.  The project is scheduled for completion in 2012. $47.6 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds will be dedicated to this project.  For additional information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, visit www.recovery.gov and www.nj.gov/recovery/.
  • A $900 million upgrade to Routes 295, 76 and 42 in Camden County .  The project (called the "Direct Connection") calls for the reconstruction of the interchange to separate drivers on I-295 from local traffic.  It will include new roadway and bridges and completes a missing link on I-295 that will allow drivers to continue straight through on the interstate.  Construction is expected to begin in 2012.

 

MOM RAIL LINE: Over the last 20 years, the MOM (Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex) rail line has been discussed and studied as a way to link residents of Ocean and western Monmouth counties with NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor or North Jersey Coast lines.  Over the years, there have been several options under consideration for the MOM rail line, but opposition from various municipalities stalled any progress.  Recently, the Monmouth County freeholders have proposed two alternatives that would allow passengers from Monmouth and Ocean counties to connect to lines in Middlesex County . Monmouth officials have scheduled a May 21 meeting with NJ Transit representatives to discuss the proposals.

 

“D” RATING FOR NATION’S INFRASTRUCTURE: The American Society of Civil Engineers has issued a new report card on the nation's infrastructure.  The report estimates it would cost $2.2 trillion to restore infrastructure systems to good condition in five years.  Generally, the society found the nation's infrastructure in worse condition today than it was two decades ago.  "We're driving on roads that were built by Eisenhower", said Andrew Herrmann, who chaired the report's advisory council.  "Basically we're just taking our infrastructure for granted," he said.  The report suggests short-term gasoline tax increases to improve congested and crumbling roads.  To find out more information, go to http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/.

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