NEW JERSEY’S TWO YEAR CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATES TOTAL $36.2 BILLION
Public and private construction anticipated in New Jersey over the next two years was projected at $36.2 billion. The estimates came from thirty representatives of public agencies and the private sector during the 25th Annual Construction Forecast Seminar sponsored by the New Jersey Alliance for Action.

The totals represented a decrease of $541 million, or about 1.5%, from the record total of $36.8 billion at the Alliance’s seminar held last year. The two-year breakdown was $18.6 billion for 2010 and $17.6 billion for 2011.

Major construction plans from public agencies were dominated by transportation infrastructure projects. The key private sector plans came from New Jersey’s utility companies and the state’s pharmaceutical and medical technology industry.

Alliance President Philip K. Beachem, said the slight decrease in the construction forecasts were encouraging in light of the current national and state economic climate. He and other presenters emphasized that the forecasts could be affected by other future possibilities ---such as renewals of New Jersey’s Transportation Trust Fund and the federal transportation funding bill now pending before Congress.

Beachem also stressed that the construction depends on the need to reform New Jersey’s regulatory systems which impede important infrastructure projects from moving ahead promptly.

Highlights of the two-year transportation forecasts presented were:
-New Jersey Transit, which includes construction of the Trans-Hudson mass transit tunnel --- $4.7 billion.
-The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey --- $4 billion
-New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which includes both the Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, --- $3.3 billion
-State Department of Transportation --- $1.8 billion

Other construction plans offered by public agencies included these highlights:
-New Jersey Schools Development Authority --- $1.2 billion
-New Jersey Economic Development Authority --- $1.4 billion
-New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust --- $1.2 billion
-US Army Corps of Engineers (New York District) --- $2.5 billion
-New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority --- $1.1 billion

The private sector produced the single highest single construction forecast of $5.3 billion over two years by New Jersey utilities. Another important private sector projection came from the New Jersey’s pharmaceutical companies --- $3.2 billion. Here, too, speakers stressed that this could be affected by whatever health care reform decisions are made by Congress.

GOVERNOR-ELECT CHRISTIE APPOINTS TRANSITION TEAM
Governor-elect Chris Christie appointed a bi-partisan transition team that includes representatives of both the private and public sectors. Christie said the team will “lead my transition and set the tone for the rest of the Christie administration.”

Chairman is former State Attorney General David Samson, who is a Senior Partner of Wolff & Samson PC.

The other members are:
-Dr. Susan A. Cole, President of Montclair State University
-State Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, (D-31st Dist.)
-Debra P. DiLorenzo, President/CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey
-Michael DuHaime, Managing Director, Mercer Public Affairs, LLC
-George Gilmore, Partner, Gilmore & Monahan.
-Jon Hanson, Chairman and Founder, Hampshire Real Estate Companies
-Alfred C. Koeppe, Executive Director, Newark Alliance, and former President and CEO of Public Service Electric & Gas
-State Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos, Jr., (R-13th Dist.)
-Mayor John McCormac of Woodbridge and former State Treasurer.

In addition, Christie named Richard Bagger a Pfizer company official and Robert Grady former Deputy Director of the federal office of Management and Budget as his Budget Review Task Force.

LAUFENBERG ELECTED INCOMING SECRETARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLANS
George Laufenberg, Administrative Manager of the New Jersey Carpenters Funds and Chairman of the New Jersey Alliance for Action, was recently elected Secretary of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to being a leading objective and independent global source of employee benefits, compensation, and financial literacy education and information.

MAURIELLO REPORTS TO ALLIANCE ON SITE PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM
NJ DEP Commissioner Mark Mauriello reported to the Alliance for Action that the Licensed Site Professionals program is advancing. He said resumes of applicants are being considered so that appointments can be made.

Mauriello also stated that the advice and guidance of independent scientists should be used on key issues that come before the DEP to utilize the talent available in New Jersey.

Mauriello spoke to Alliance members at another in the series of “Meet the Players” programs.

NJ TRANSIT STARTS PROGRAM FOR LOCOMOTIVE PROBLEM DETECTION
NJ Transit will develop a $6 million system that will detect aging diesel locomotives that need maintenance before they need to be overhauled. Richard Sarles, executive director, said the program will use customized diagnostic tools to find problems before breakdowns.

There are more than 100 diesel locomotives in NJ Transit’s fleet, many of which were put into service over two decades ago. Sarles said overhauling would cost about $3 million each.

BEACH PROTECTION, WIND POWER TOP OCEAN COUNTY ALLIANCE AGENDA
With the series of nor’ eastern storms over the past weekend, and the enormous beach erosion that resulted, we are pleased that Dr. Richard Dewling will be key-noting the Ocean County meeting on Friday, November 20th at the Toms River Holiday Inn, Route 37 East and Clifton Avenue, begining with registration and networking at 8:15 a.m., and the program to follow at 9 a.m. Former NJDEP Commissioner, Dr. Dewling is currently President of the Jersey Shore Partnership and he will deliver his educated perspective on protecting and preserving New Jersey’s natural treasure.

The program will also include presentations from:
-Mayor Paul Kennedy of Ocean Gate Borough, on “Ocean Gate’s Wind Project.”
-Courtland Coleman, director of communications for Excalibur Energy (USA) Co., “The Liberty Natural Gas Project.”

The County co-chairmen are Freeholder John P. Kelly, Joseph E. Buckelew, chairman Commerce National Insurance Services, and William Coyne, retirement benefits chairman, New Jersey Carpenters Funds. To register, Go Here.

RUTGERS BOARD CLEARS THE WAY FOR $150 MILLION GATEWAY PROJECT
The Board of Governors of Rutgers University voted to clear the way for the $150 million Gateway Transit Village Project in downtown New Brunswick. The Board ceded ownership to the New Brunswick Development Corporation (DevCo) of an Easton Avenue site that had been occupied by a Rutgers public safety garage which was demolished.

The Gateway project will bridge the New Brunswick train station with the Rutgers campus. The project will include a Barnes and Noble bookstore, the Rutgers University Press, 200 condominiums, retail stores and a 650-space parking facility to be run by the New Brunswick Parking Authority.

ROUTE 1 TOLL BRIDGE PROJECT IS COMPLETED
The $102 million renovation and widening of the Route 1 Toll Bridge at Morrisville, Pa., was declared completed two weeks ahead of schedule and under budget by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.

The bridge is crossed by 18 million motorists a year. The rededication ceremony marked completion of the Commission’s largest capital project. It includes widening the span, installation of a new deck and modernized toll booths.

STUDY COMPLETED OF REGIONAL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CONTINENTAL AIRLINES
Continental Airlines in 2008 contributed more than $6.3 billion in gross product to the New Jersey/New York region, plus an estimated 110,000 jobs amounting to more than $5.9 billion in personal income.

The economic impact study was by NEHA Economic Consulting and was release by Continental Airlines, which has a hub at Newark Liberty International Airport.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
November 20, 2009 – Ocean County Chapter Meeting - Register Here

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