Further enhancing the landmark ceremony was the announcement by Federal Transit Administrator Roger Rogoff of a funding agreement with the Obama Administration. It will provide $1.35 billion for the early stages of the project.

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Chairman Tony Coscia, center, Alliance for Action President Phil Beachem, right, and Alliance for Action Executive Vice President Jerry Keenan help break ground on the new $8.7 billion Mass Transit Tunnel.

Participants in the ceremony included Governor Jon Corzine, U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez of New Jersey, U.S. Congressmen Payne, Pascrell, Rothman and Sires, Chairman Anthony Coscia of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NJ Transit Executive Director Richard Sarles and a host of state and local government officials and business and labor leaders.

Corzine reported that the tunnel, being built in partnership with the Port Authority, will generate 6,000 jobs during construction and is expected to create 44,000 permanent jobs.

Philip K. Beachem, President of the New Jersey Alliance for Action, which spearheaded a bi-state coalition to support the tunnel project, declared: “The Alliance has long worked to bring together business, labor, environmentalists and transit advocates to support this crucially needed tunnel and its jobs-generating capacity. After decades of planning and stalemate, there was no greater time to finally start than this economic crisis.”

Port Authority Chairman Coscia stated: “This start of work is a testament to cooperation among New Jersey, New York and Federal Officials working together.”

The tunnel will double trans-Hudson River rail capacity by adding two new single tracks, supplementing the existing two tracks opened in 1910 that are pushed to their limits each commuting day.

The reports by utility company executives highlighted a meeting on June 2, 2009 sponsored by the New Jersey Alliance for Action and entitled: “Turning on the Economy.” Alliance President Philip K. Beachem and moderator Richard S. Mroz, President, Salmon Ventures, both stressed utilities are sometimes overlooked on their importance to the state’s economy and ability to generate jobs creation. They also stressed that figures presented reflect accelerated investment projects urged by Governor Corzine and approved by the state Board of Public Utilities.

BPU President Jeanne Fox declared that the accelerated projects approved by the Board did not represent “make-work” projects but necessary utility investments that are ready to move ahead to create employment opportunities.

Among the major presentations were:

• Ralph LaRossa, President & Chief Operating Officer of Public Service Electric & Gas, who said his company will invest $6.7 billion in capital projects over the next five years, including over $1 billion in 2009.
• Dennis Bone, President of Verizon New Jersey, said that his company has installed FIOS systems in more then 320 New Jersey communities. He reported that Verizon has spent $500 million a year on the installations and will continue to make those investments at a somewhat reduced level.
• Jeff DuBois, Senior Vice President – Chief Operating Officer, South Jersey Gas, reported that the company will spend $103 million over the next two years in accelerated investments approved by the BPU.
• Donald Distante, Director of Engineering & Planning, United Water, told the 200 people in attendance that his company from 2010 to 2014 will invest in infrastructure projects, including $78 million for underground equipment, $83 million for treatment and facility upgrades and $18 million for water storage.
• Craig Lynch, Vice President-Energy Delivery, New Jersey Natural Gas, said his firm received BPU approval for 16 accelerated projects totaling $71 million.
• Donald Carter, Vice President & General Manager of Elizabethtown Gas, reported that his company will spend $42.5 million in 2009 for distribution and system improvements.
• Jason Gonzalez, Vice President – Governmental Affairs, New Jersey American Water, said his company has invested $630 million in capital improvements. He noted that the company’s continuing infrastructure needs were illustrated by the report of the US Environmental Protection Agency that New Jersey’s water utilities need to spend $3-$10 billion over 20 years.
• James W. Tarpey, Vice President-Operations, Rockland Electric, informed the audience of a number of capital improvements his company is making or will make to serve 70,000 customers in Northern New Jersey.