ALLIANCE REPORT OF TRANSPORTATION AT RISK
STIRS THE POT
The New Jersey Alliance for Action’s report that $7 billion in planned transportation projects are at risk from 2007-2010 unless the State Transportation Fund is renewed has generated strong reaction among the media, government officials and the public.

The Alliance communicated the report via email to some 6,000 state legislators, State House administrators, print and electronic media, Alliance members and supporters and business, labor, consumer, transportation advocates, and local and county government officials working together for Trust Fund renewal. The Alliance reported the dollars and transportation projects at risk by legislative districts.

The Star-Ledger, the state’s biggest newspaper, commended this approach by stating: “The Alliance tailored its list of at-risk projects to the realities of state politics by tabulating the value for each legislative district.”

To view the Alliance’s report, go here.

REGIONAL FLOOD CONTROL PANEL CONSIDERED IN MIDDLESEX
Creation of a commission to seek regional solutions to flooding problems of Southern Middlesex County is under consideration. Middlesex Freeholder Director David Crabiel said the South Central Middlesex Flood Control Commission would study the problems on a regional basis, hire professionals to develop a regional plan and seek funding to eliminate the problems. County officials also are exploring use of open-space funds to purchase a handful of properties severely affected by the floods in July and make them part of the county’s Jamesburg Park.

DOT TO ACCEPT BIDS FOR ROUTE 52 CAUSEWAY PROJECT
The State Department of Transportation will accept bids this fall for construction on the Route 52 Causeway between Ocean City and Somers Point. The project will replace four bridges, including two drawbridges. Contracts are expected to be awarded by the end of this year.

Actual work probably will not begin until the spring of 2006 and will also include eliminating the Somers Point circle and improvement of MacArthur Boulevard. The entire project is not expected to be completed until 2010.

FUNDING SHORT FOR PLAINFIELD’S ROAD WORK The impacts of funding on local transportation projects are illustrated in Plainfield. The city could run out of money to complete this year’s $5 million phase of an ongoing 15-year road reconstruction program.

Of the $5 million approved for more than 20 roads that were to be repaved or rebuilt this year, less than $1.1 million remains to finish seven streets estimated to cost $2.64 million. Some streets may have to be delayed until the following year of 2006.

RACE TO COMPLETE ROUTES 35-36 FOR BREEDER’S CUP
The race is on to complete long-awaited improvements to the intersection of Routes 35 and 36 before the highly anticipated Breeder’s Cup at Monmouth Park race track in the summer of 2007, which usually provides an economic stimulus to the entire area. Eatontown Mayor Gerald Tarantolo is worried that the State Department of Transportation might not begin construction on the heavily traveled crossing until just a few months before thousands of spectators descend upon Eatontown, Oceanport and surrounding communities.

The $12 million project calls for widening the two state highways. Local officials are concerned that visitors to the internationally televised race might be greeted by tractors, backhoes, and cranes, combined with delays on torn-up roadways.

PRIVATE SECTOR JOB LOSSES REPORTED
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development reports that the state lost 3,000 jobs in July, the first employment decline in six months and the largest since November 2003.

New Jersey’s employment losses came in the private sector, with the biggest monthly loss in the trade, transportation and utilities sectors. Meanwhile, government added 700 jobs in July.

On the other hand, the research department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia reported continued growth in business in the Southern Jersey region during the second quarter of 2005. The firms noted growth in both overall activity and sales and more than one third of them indicated increases in employment during the quarter.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Dick Forman, Executive Director of the Associated General Contractors of New Jersey (AGC), will receive the John H. Maddocks Lifetime Achievement Award of the New Jersey Society of Environmental and Economic Development (NJ SEED). The presentation will take place in October in Trenton.

Robert K. Marshall and Charles A. Wimberg Jr. have been named Vice Presidents for Atlantic City Electric’s Southern New Jersey service territory.

Dennis G. Sullivan, CEO & President of Middlesex Water, was elected President of New Jersey Utilities Association in June.

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