TRIP SAYS STIMULUS FUNDS NOT ADEQUATE ALONE TO MEET STATE ROAD NEEDS
TRIP, the national non-profit transportation research group, says that in spite of a “significant short-term boost” from stimulus dollars, New Jersey faces a $35 billion transportation funding shortfall over the next ten years.

In its report, TRIP said a 10-year capital investment strategy in New Jersey found that approximately $70 billion would be needed by 2018 to improve road and bridge conditions. It stressed that, based on current funding projections, only $35 billion will be available during that time --- thus creating a $35 billion shortfall.

Declaring this to be “wholly inadequate,” TRIP warned: “Numerous projects needed to maintain and expand the current transportation system will not be able to move forward without a significant long-term boost in funding at the state and federal levels.”

TRIP declared it is imperative for New Jersey and other states that Congress acts quickly to approve a new surface transportation funding program when the current one expires on September 30, 2009.

On traffic congestion, TRIP reported that travel on New Jersey’s major highways increased by 29 percent to 76 billion vehicle miles in 2006. It noted congestion for more than one hour a day had climbed to 27 percent.

On safety, TRIP said in 2008 there were 594 traffic fatalities, lowest in 50 years, but added:
“The New Jersey DOT continues to make efforts to further reduce serious traffic accidents” but asserted that in addition to fatalities, there are 75,000 injuries and 300,000 crashes per year --- costing $9 billion a year, including medical costs and lost productivity. It said factors associated with accidents include driver behavior, vehicle characteristics and roadway design.

TRIP concluded that roads in need of repair cost each New Jersey driver an average of $596 annually --- highest in the nation.

DRPA APPROVES MAJOR OVERHAUL OF PATCO STATIONS
The Delaware River Port Authority approved a $9.6 million project for major improvements to PATCO stations in Camden and Philadelphia. Construction could begin in August for the upgrades, which will be funded by money earmarked for economic development projects.

The concourse improvements at Camden’s City Hall and the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden will include art design and engineering to minimize installation, maintenance and operational costs and improved lighting using low energy.

GAS PIPELINE EXPANSION IS UNDER CONSIDERATION
Williams, a company that operates a transcontinental natural gas pipeline system, is considering a 250-mile extension of the system. It would include a spur through North Jersey that would service lower Manhattan.

The company is studying the feasibility of a proposed Northeast Corridor Project, but has not yet filed an application for required approval with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The spur would likely go through Jersey City, under the Hudson River to connect with Consolidated Edison’s system in lower Manhattan.

ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST SEEKS TO FINANCE $900 MILLION IN PROJECTS
The New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust will seek to finance between $800 and $900 million of clean water and wastewater projects in Fiscal Year 2010. This will almost double the Trust’s typical annual program, through the addition of stimulus funds.

Dennis Hart, Executive Director of the NJEIT, said he anticipates the Trust issuing roughly $67 million of bonds in October to complement $200 million in federal stimulus dollars. The Trust then will sell about $150 million in its yearly pooled bond deal in January, pending legislative approval. The overall program will include the $200 million in federal money and about $450 million of state funds on top of the anticipated bond proceeds.

NJ TRANSIT APPROVES $72 MILLION PURCHASE OF ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES
NJ Transit has approved an expenditure of $72 million to purchase an additional nine electric locomotives that would bring the overall total to 36. The agency said the locomotives provide better acceleration and reliability in pulling its growing fleet of multilevel cars.

In December 2007, NJ Transit authorized a $245 million contract to buy 27 locomotives. The first of the new locomotives are expected to arrive early next year, with complete delivery anticipated in mid-2011.

SECAUCUS JUNCTION STATION ADDS 1,100 PARKING SPACES
The Frank R. Lautenberg transit station at Secaucus Junction now has 1,100 new parking spaces available. The six-year-old station acts as a connecting hub for 10 of New Jersey’s 11 rail lines and its ridership has grown to nearly 17,000 a day. In July, the Meadowlands Rail Link will open, providing a direct ride from the station to the Meadowlands Sports Complex.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new parking spaces at the station, Governor Jon Corzine said: “This is one more building block in an expansive transportation infrastructure.”

DEVELOPMENT COULD BEGIN AT LINDEN SITE OF OLD GM PLANT
Construction is expected to begin this summer on the $148 million Legacy Square project on the site of the former General Motors plant in Linden, according to Mayor Richard Gerbounka.

The 99-acre commercial/industrial/residential development could lead to more than 1,000 new jobs in Legacy Square and the surrounding area, a study for the developer, Duke Realty, reported.

Mayor Gerbounka said the only step before construction would be approval by the New Jersey Department of Transportation for intersection improvements the developer must make.

U.S. HIGHWAY FUNDING RUNNING LOW ON MONEY
The Obama Administration warns that the U.S. Highway Trust Fund needs as much as $17 billion in additional federal money by September 2009 to help fund state and local transportation projects over the next two years.

The Administration said the highway fund has suffered from a fall in revenue from taxes on gasoline and vehicle purchases because of the recession and gas-price increases.

The White House said the highway trust fund will require an injection of as much as $7 billion by September or states would not receive all the money they are counting on to finance construction projects this year. In addition, the Administration declared, the fund will need as much as $10 billion for road work in the 12 months after September. The President has resisted calls to increase the 18.4 cents federal tax on a gallon of gasoline, which has not been raised since 1993.

MEETINGS SET ON GOETHALS BRIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
  The U.S. Coast Guard will hold two formal public meetings to hear comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Goethals Bridge modernization project. The first will be at Elizabeth City Hall on Wednesday, July 8, and the second at the Staten Island Hotel, Staten Island, on Thursday, July 9. Both meetings will be 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The DEIS describes the proposed transportation improvements associated with replacement of the Goethals Bridge. It also details the social, economic, cultural, environmental and transportation impacts if bridge replacement is not implemented in favor of four alternatives.

STATE EDA NOW ALLOWED TO FINANCE MUNICIPAL PARKING
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) is authorized to finance and develop parking facilities in New Jersey municipalities under a law signed by Governor Corzine.

The law allows EDA to offer financial assistance, credit extensions, loans and guarantees to promote municipal development of parking facilities. Municipalities which receive financing will be responsible for paying principle and interest of the bonds.

OYSTER CREEK TO HOLD COMMUNITY INFORMATION NIGHT
The Oyster Creek Generating Station --- which recently received a 20-year operating license extension --- will hold a community information night on June 18. The session will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Oyster Creek Education Center, Intake View Lane, Building 12, Forked River.

Discussions and audience questions will cover operations, safety, security, environmental program and the management strategy for the nuclear energy plant. The public is invited.

CAMDEN ALLIANCE TO MEET ON JUNE 24
Three prominent speakers will highlight the agenda when the Camden County Alliance for Action meets on Wednesday, June 24. They are John J. Matheussen, CEO of the Delaware River Port Authority; Brian Strizki, P.E., Director, Office of Design Services for the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Dr. Ali A. Houshmand, Provost of Rowan University.

The meeting at The Mansion on Main Street, Voorhees, will begin with registration at 8:15 a.m. and the program at 9:00 a.m.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
-Sharon A. Harrington, Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, was nominated by Governor Corzine to the Casino Control Commission.
-Jeffrey Brindle, has been appointed Executive Director of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.

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