GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES DOT REPORT ON STATE’S BRIDGES
Governor Corzine announced the results of a report by the State Department of Transportation that more then 2,000 bridges in the state are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete but not necessarily unsafe.

The DOT Interim Bridge Report found that, of some 6,400 bridges in New Jersey, 1,502 are functionally obsolete and 736 are structurally deficient.

Corzine said the report reflects New Jersey’s aging infrastructure and that the average age of the state’s bridges is 45 years old. He stressed: “The major point is that we have zero unsafe bridges based on our inspection regiment, which is up to date and is currently something we are monitoring.”

COUNTIES SEEK $2.7 BILLION TO REPAIR BRIDGES
The New Jersey Association of Counties called upon the Governor and Legislature to provide some $2.7 billion over the next decade for repairs to county and local bridges.

The Association cited the Federal Highway Administration’s 2006 inventory of 2,472 county bridges in New Jersey which found that:
-374 were structurally deficient, meaning at least some portions are in need of repair or replacement.
-472 were functionally obsolete, meaning they were outdated but inspectors found no major safety problems.

NEW SCHOOLS CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY SIGNED INTO LAW
Governor Jon Corzine signed into law legislation that abolished the five-year-old Schools Construction Corporation (SCC) and replaced it with the newly created New Jersey Schools Development Authority.

The SCC was established in 2002 to carry out the State Supreme Court mandate that the state pay to upgrade schools in 31 so-called poor Abbott districts. The new Authority must prioritize projects based largely on educational needs, not on which projects were ready to move ahead first.

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY TO BUILD $8.4 MILLION SOCCER STADIUM
Princeton University announced that it will build an $8.4 million state-of-the-art soccer stadium. It will replace current fields now used for the sport.

Scheduled to open for the 2008 season, the stadium will be built on the site of the current fields at the south end of the campus. It will feature a three-sided stadium, a playing field with natural turf and an adjacent practice field with an artificial surface.

SAVINGS ANNOUNCED BY MCIA’S CAPITAL FINANCING PROGRAM
The Middlesex County Improvement Authority announced that its Capital Equipment Lease Program has saved the County and municipal participants $3.3 million since its inception in 1992. The program offers pooled, low-cost financing for equipment and vehicles.

The 2007 participants are Middlesex County, Carteret, Edison, Monroe, Old Bridge, Sayreville, South Plainfield, South River and Spotswood.

ATLANTIC CITY BOARDWALK FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT CONTINUES
The second phase of the project has been completed to improve the look of Atlantic City’s boardwalk. Fifteen stores between New York and Kentucky Avenues have had their storefronts revitalized with custom signs, canopies and ornamental structures.

The $100 million Boardwalk Façade Project is funded and directed by the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

HEERY INTERNATIONAL ACQUIRES SOUTH FLORIDA FIRM
Heery International, Inc., announced the acquisition of Sequeira & Gavarrete, a South Florida design and project management firm specializing in aviation and education. Heery, headquartered in Atlanta, has an operation in Trenton.

Sequeira & Gavarrete, with a staff of 50, is currently helping to manage a $2 billion improvements program at Miami International Airport.

ALLIANCE IN ACTION
REGISTER NOW FOR THE ANNUAL FOUNDATION GOLF CLASSIC
The 4th annual Golf Classic of the Foundation of the New Jersey Alliance for Action will be held on Monday, August 20, at Eagle Oaks Golf Club, Farmingdale. To reserve places, call (732) 225-1180 or to register Go Here .

New Jersey Higher Education Capital Construction A+ for the Economy A+ for Students will be held Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at the Lafayette Yard Marriott Conference Center in Trenton, NJ. Don’t miss the chance to hear New Jersey’s higher education leaders describe their capital construction plans and discuss the need for additional money and further expansions to keep pace with the needs of New Jersey’s students. To register Go Here .

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
-State Treasurer Bradley Abelow has been appointed by Governor Corzine as his new Chief of Staff. Effective September 1, 2007, Abelow will replace Tom Shea, who has served as Chief of Staff since Corzine took office in January 2006. Michellene Davis, currently Chief of Staff at Treasury, will serve as Acting Treasurer and chair of the committee to find a successor to Abelow.
-Joyce Watson has joined the Oldcastle Materials Head Office Staff as Vice President, Public Relations. She has been with Oldcastle since 2000 and had served as public relations director for the Tilcon NY/NJ operations.
-Michael P. Turner announced formation of Government Process Solutions LLP, which he will serve as Managing Principal. Other Principals are Paul P. Josephson, Maeve E. Cannon and Patrick E. Kennedy.

To tell us what you think of our on-line news Go Here.

Back to Online News Home Page