CHRISTIE ADDRESS HIGHLIGHTS ALLIANCE TRANSPORTATION SUMMIT
Visions of the future of transportation in New Jersey were offered by state leaders headed by Governor Chris Christie at the annual Transportation Summit sponsored by the New Jersey Alliance for Action.

As Alliance President Philip K. Beachem pointed out, the 500-plus audience in Trenton included representatives of virtually every organization in the state involved in or affected by Transportation.

The outstanding lineup of transportation leadership who participated, in addition to the Governor included State Transportation Commissioner James Simpson, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman David Samson, NJ TRANSIT Executive Director James Weinstein and for business and labor, State Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Bracken and Raymond Pocino, Eastern Regional Manager of the Laborers International Union.

Christie declared that transportation is critical to New Jersey’s economic revival, future prosperity and quality of life.

The Governor reviewed his proposed $8 billion five-year capital plan for transportation, asserting it can be accomplished with decreasing reliance on debt. Among major projects he cited are raising the height of the Bayonne Bridge to accommodate the larger cargo vessels expected after the enlarged Panama Canal opens in 2014, renewing the crumbling Pulaski Skyway, and continuing widening of the New Jersey Turnpike.

The Governor said he agrees that better rail access is vital between New Jersey and New York. He said “we stand ready to contribute as long as New York State and City will also contribute and New Jersey is not required to accept a blank check and a bad deal.”

Senate DOT Commissioner Simpson called for a transportation system that puts safety first, stresses a state of good repair, reduces congestion utilizing technology, and provides expansion only where absolutely necessary,

Weinstein said NJ TRANSIT is committed to a performance measured initiative, or “scoreboard.” He reviewed plans for a $22 million “smart bus” technology project, a link between the Riverline and Atlantic City rail service and #120 million restoration of trans-Hudson ferry service.

Samson hailed the Port Authority approval of the long needed $1 billion Bayonne Bridge raising warning that a number of other coast ports are aggressively competing for cargo business.

Bracken and Pocino demonstrated the business-labor agreement on key economic issues that the Alliance uniquely fosters. Bracken expresses support by the business community of the Governor’s five-year capital transportation plan. Pocino declared that transportation improvements represent “an investment for New Jersey’s future life and competiveness.”

ALLIANCE SETS HEALTHCARE CONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE
Leading healthcare executives from throughout the state will report on their capital construction plans at a special conference sponsored by the New Jersey Alliance for Action on Wednesday, March 30, 2011.  

Entitled "Building a Healthy New Jersey,” this conference will be held at the Trenton Marriott Conference Center with registration at 8:00 a.m. and the program at 9:00 a.m.  

The keynote speaker will be Tom Biga, Chairman of the New Jersey Hospital Association. Reports will be presented by:

• Joseph W. Devine, Senior Vice President, Kennedy Health System, on the System's $100 million capital plan.
• Rich McGreal, Director of the Northeast Region, Merck Global Engineering Services, on Merck's $150 million Kenilworth Construction program and other capital plans.
• Mark Sparta, Vice President of Operations, Hackensack University Medical Center, about expansion of the North Campus (Pascack Valley Hospital) and the next phase of it's Heart & Vascular Hospital construction and Cancer Center.

REVEL CASINO PROJECT RECEIVES FINANCING TO RESTART
Financing has been secured to complete the half-built $2.8 billion Revel casino project in Atlantic City.  Revel Chief Executive Officer Kevin DeSanctis confirmed that the company finalized a $1.15 billion agreement, but declined to identify the financial backers beyond a "consortium of institutional investors."  

DeSanctis said the deal will allow 2,000 construction workers to return to the South Inlet site in an ambitions effort to complete the casino in 15 months.  Work had been stopped since early 2009.  Officials estimate that the casino will employ 5,500 workers when it opens in summer 2012.  

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority has agreed to a $261 million tax reimbursement plan to pump $125 million into infrastructure improvements in the South Inlet area.  

REPORT ISSUES ON PASSAIC BASIN FLOODING INITIATIVES
Governor Christie's Passaic River Basin Flood Advisory Commission issued a series of major and minor initiatives to east flooding problems in the absence of a single magic solution.  

The commission's summary report recommended a moratorium on new construction in flood plains, federal and state funding for buyouts of flood-prone buildings, and studies for possible longer-term solutions such as floodwells, levees and, perhaps, a flood tunnel.  

The 935-square-mile basin includes the eastern Highlands and the Pompton, Passaic, Ramapo, Wanaque, Pequannock and Peckman Rivers.  

BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT FOR CHRISTIE'S FIGHT AGAINST FEDERAL BILL
Every member of New Jersey's Congressional delegation signed a letter supporting Governor Christie's fight against a $271 million federal bill send to the state after Christie terminated the ARC cross-Hudson train tunnel construction project.  The delegation includes seven Democrats and six Republicans.  

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Governor Christie announced a $584 million plan to construct or renovate schools through the Schools Development Authority.  

The list includes Bridgeton, Elizabeth, Long Branch, Jersey City, New Brunswick, Newark, Paterson and West New York.  

Construction is expected to begin this year at two sites, a magnet high school in Elizabeth and a Long Branch elementary school.  The remaining schools, Christie said, will be in development this year to standardize project or develop a common design to help create savings.  He reported that the schools Development Authority will review schools each year to decide which projects should be added.

SMALL BUSINESS LOANS FUND TO INCREASE TO $50 MILLION
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) is doubling the amount of loan money for small and mid-sized business to $50 million this year.  It is the highest amount since the EDA launched the Business Growth Fund seven years ago.  

The loans, which are made by PNC Bank and partially guaranteed by the State, are designed to offer smaller companies below market rates as an incentive to grow.

BURLINGTON ALLIANCE MEETING TO FEATURE REPORT ON PINELANDS
Reports on the Pinelands, Burlington County and Pemberton will highlight a meeting of the Burlington County Alliance for Action on Friday, March 18.  The meeting will be held at the Double Tree Guest Suites in Mount Laurel, with registration beginning at 8:15 a.m. and the program at 9:00 a.m.  

Presentations will be:

• Francis A. Witt, Commissioner of The Pinelands Commission and Principal of McKernan Architects, on "The Largest Protected Area Between Boston and Richmond."
• Freeholder John B. Donnelly on "The Many Attributes of Burlington County."
• Mayor David A. Patriarca on "Spotlight on Pemberton."

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

• Kevin O'Connor has been named NJ Transit's new Vice President and General Manager of rail operations.  He has been acting in that position since last July.
• Susan Ney Thompson was named by the NJ Casino Reinvestment Development Authority as interim Executive Director succeeding Thomas D. Carver, who resigned.  She has been serving as Chief Operating Officer for the Authority.
• Anthony Gardner of Bay Head was named Executive Director of the New Jersey State Museum by the Museum Board.

3/30/11 - New Jersey HealthCare Capital Construction – Building a Healthy New Jersey, to register Go here.  

4/14/11 - Morris County Alliance for Action, to register Go here.

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