CONGRESSIONAL DEADLOCK ENDS OVER TRANSPORTATION FUNDING EXTENSION
The good news from Washington is that the deadlock is broken over a 30-day extension of the federal transportation funding program known as SAFETEA-LU. Republican Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky lifted his holdup to approve the extension that had been passed by the House of Representatives by a 78-19 vote.

Since the previous extension had expired on February 28, the Highway Trust Fund effectively was shut down. Bunning had refused to go along with a Unanimous Consent Agreement required for the Senate to approve the House stopgap extension without debate. Bunning relented after strong pressure from Senate colleagues of both parties.

PSE&G FILES EARLY-SITE APPLICATION FOR NEW NUCLEAR PLANT
Public Service Electric & Gas Company will submit an early-site application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to build what would be New Jersey’s fifth nuclear power plant --- and the first built since 1986.

The company has not yet decided whether it will build a new plant, but filing the application keeps its options open. PSE&G is sole owner of Hope Creek and majority owner of Salem 1 and 2, all in Lower Alloways Creek Township. The NRC usually takes about two years to approve early-site permits. Then the company would request an operating and construction license and must get approval from the State Department of Environmental Protection and the Township. .

SPIRIT AIRLINES ANNOUNCES SERVICE BETWEEN DETROIT AND ATLANTIC CITY TO BEGIN MAY 20, 2010
Spirit Airlines announced that it will begin seasonal service between Detroit and Atlantic City International Airport on May 20, 2010.

"This is great news for the southern New Jersey region; bringing back Detroit service will make it easy for travel to and from Atlantic City," says Bart R. Mueller, Executive Director for the South Jersey Transportation Authority, owner/operator of the Atlantic City International Airport. “Spirit Airlines continues to serve our market and has helped us pioneer into new destinations,” added Mueller.

CASHLESS TOLLING ON THE WAY FOR PORT AUTHORITY
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners authorized, at a total cost of $175 million, the final design and construction of the new toll collection system in the existing toll plazas, with the capability for cashless tolling.  Installation of the new system will begin in late 2012 and be completed by the end of 2014. 

  The system will replace the existing 12-year-old one, which is one of the oldest in the northeast United States.  When the new equipment is installed, the system will be equipped to collect cash and E-ZPass, and will also have the ability to operate without cash.  A decision will be made at a later date as to when to implement cashless tolling.

PORT AUTHORITY AWARDS $542M CONTRACT FOR PATH STATION
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has awarded a $542 million contract to build a new PATH station as part of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub.

The Authority's Board of Commissioners awarded the $542 million contract to Skanska USA Civil Northeast Inc., Granite Construction Northeast Inc. and Skanska USA Building Inc. for the construction of the PATH station in the World Trade Center site. The work includes construction of four rail platforms and the installation of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems; plumbing work, fire protection, architectural finishes, and handicapped-accessibility measures for the facility estimated to eventually serve 200,000 commuters.

The new platforms will be on the same spot and replace the temporary platforms built in 2003. The temporary station is open to the elements and the replacement will have heating, ventilation and other passenger comforts, he said.

The contract will make it possible for completion of the Memorial Plaza, part of which is located on the station roof, to open in time for the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

$160 MILLION CANCER TREATMENT CENTER TO BREAK GROUND IN SOMERSET
Groundbreaking is planned for April 7, 2010, for a $160 million proton therapy treatment center for cancer patients in Somerset (Franklin Township). Proton therapy is an alternative to X-ray radiation.

The collaboration for the project announced it has closed financing and funded capital for the project. It includes ProCure Treatment Centers, Inc., of Indiana, Princeton Radiation Oncology and CentraState Health System of Freehold.

The site will be 101-103 Cedar Grove Lane in Somerset for the 60,000 square-foot facility. It is expected that the center, funded entirely through private sources, will be operational in 2012.

The project will create 400 construction jobs and 100 permanent jobs. The owners said it will be the first proton treatment facility serving New Jersey and the Metro-New York City area and that New Jersey-based contractors will be used for construction.

HUDSON ALLIANCE MEETING RESCHEDULED FOR
FRIDAY, MARCH 5
The meeting of the Hudson County Alliance for Action has been rescheduled for Friday, March 5, after the postponement due to snowfall. The location is still the Hudson Manor at LaQuinta Inn & Suites, Secaucus, with registration at 8:15 a.m. and the program at 9:00 a.m.  The speakers are: ·
“Bayonne Bridge – A Major Impediment” – Joseph Curto, President of the New York Shipping Association and Joanne Papageorgis, Program Director for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. ·
“The Liberty Natural Gas Project” – Jason Goldstein, Chief Operating Officer for Liberty Natural Gas. ·
“Rehabilitating Hudson County’s Treasures” – Eric Silverman, Partner, Exeter Property Company, developer of Hamilton Square and Robert Cotter, Director of Jersey City Division of Planning.
Co-chairs of the Hudson Alliance are County Executive Thomas A. DeGise; Dr. Carlos Hernandez, President of New Jersey City University, and Eric Boyce, Business Manager, Plumbers Local Union No. 24. To register, Go Here.

HEALTH CARE CONSTRUCTION TO AID NEW JERSEY’S ECONOMY
Signs of optimism for New Jersey’s troubled economy came when leaders of New Jersey’s health care industry reported on billions of dollars of construction, expansion and renovation projects for their facilities.

The reports came during a special conference on Health Care Capital Construction hosted by the New Jersey Alliance for Action, which attracted several hundred participants. Alliance President Philip K. Beachem said the health care industry appears to represent one of the few high spots of the state's construction industry.

Hollie Gilroy, Director of Communications for the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, estimated that the health care industry over the next two years is expected to invest nearly $3.37 billion in new and renovated capital projects.
Gus Escher, Vice Chairman of the New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority, said that, although it is only March, the Authority already expects that it will issue $800 million in bond financing for health care capital projects this year.
Brendan Middleton, Director of Communications at Saint Michael’s Medical Center in Newark, described a ten-year Broad Street redevelopment project for a 62-acre site with an estimated investment of $235 million.
Al Gutierrez, President & CEO of Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point, outlined a $100 million capital program for his institution.
Bob Peake, Director of Facilities & Construction at Atlantic Health System, reported that a master plan for new construction, expansion and renovation for Morristown Memorial Hospital and Overlook Hospital in Summit will represent a $400 million investment.
Jan Bishop, Vice President Facilities Management & Planning for Saint Clare’s Health System, reported a major investment in planning capital construction that will focus on new surgical facilities as the first priority.

A panel of health care leaders on “What’s Driving Health Care Construction?” was moderated by Robert M. Gerard, Chief Marketing Coordinator at Birdsall Services Group, who was Chairman of the conference. The panelists included: Vincent Knoll, Vice President of Health Care Markets-Project and Development Services at Jones Lang LaSalle; Clare Broderick, Chief Operating Officer at Birdsall Services Group – MJA; Thomas McDonald, Project Executive of L.F. Driscoll Co., LLC; Scott Kobler, Partner at McCarter & English and Stephen Hegeman, Managing Principal at Francis Cauffman.

REHAB SCHEDULED FOR OLD CALHOUN STREET BRIDGE IN TRENTON
The Calhoun Street Bridge between Trenton and Morrisville, PA, is going to be treated to a facelift. The 125-year-old wrought-iron span is the oldest of 28 bridges that cross the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission says the rehabilitation project is scheduled to begin May 24. The bridge will be closed for four months while work is under way. On an average day, the bridge carries more than 18,000 vehicles.

CONSTRUCTION OF $72 MILLION WATER PLANT TO BEGIN THIS FALL
Groundbreaking is expected this fall for a modern $72 million water treatment plant for New Jersey American Water. It will have the capacity to deliver 14 million gallons per day to residents in parts of Essex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union Counties.

The plant will replace the nearly 50-year-old Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant, which is on more than 500 acres off JFK Parkway in Short Hills. The new facility will be built on the same tract.

New Jersey American Water said the new plant is scheduled for completion in 2012 and is expected to create about 200 construction jobs.

EDA APPROVES TAX INCENTIVES AND GRANTS
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved a series of tax incentives and loans for projects. They include: ·