Friday, November 18, 2016

OnLine News - November 2016





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November, 2016
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ALLIANCE HOSTS CELEBRATE TTF

State Transportation Commissioner Rick Hammer says New Jersey is moving fast to take advantage of the recent 23 cent gas tax.  Speaking at the Alliance for Action's "Celebrate TTF" event, Hammer said voter action to constitutionally dedicate all gas tax proceeds allows the state to fully fund a $16 billion 8 year capital plan - which will be matched by $16 million in federal funds.

Before an audience of some 200, recognition and appreciation awards were presented to representatives of public and private organizations which worked to renew the State Transportation Trust Fund (TTF).

Alliance President Philip K. Beachem said it took the coordinated efforts of business, labor, professionals, government and non-profit sectors to overcome opposition.

Also speaking at the event, NJ Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald and State Senator Steve Oroho agreed that the bill would not have been successful without the bi-partisan coalition that worked on the issue. 






NJDOT FY 2017 CAPITAL PROGRAM

NJDOT Commissioner Rick Hammer has announced that the NJDOT FY 2017 Capital program will be increased by $100 million. The $100 million increase will be in the Department's CPM program. 

The Operations/Maintenance Program will remain at $150 million. This brings the total FY Capital Program to $1.050 billion.

GROUNDBREAKING HELD FOR DOWNTOWN NEWARK HIGH RISE

A ceremonial groundbreaking was held in downtown Newark for a twenty-two story high rise across the street from the New Jersey Performance Arts Center.  The project was first proposed more than a decade ago to expand on the success of the arts center.
               
Named One Theatre Square, the $116 million project will have 245 apartments, 12,000-square-feet of ground floor retail space, a fitness center, meeting rooms, and an outdoor deck.  The building will have mostly one and two-bedroom apartments as well as studios and three-bedroom units.  There will be a 285-space parking garage.
               

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
  • Carlo Scissura, was named President and CEO of the New York Building Congress. 

SAVE THE DATE
         
12/5/16 - Pipelines for Prosperity, register here.

12/15/16 - Energizing the Economy, register here.  
SOMERSET SLUDGE INCINERATOR TO GET $5.2M UPGRADE
The Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority is receiving funding for a $5.2 million project for upgrades and repairs to a sludge incinerator at the Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority.

The project is part of legislation signed by Gov. Chris Christie in August through the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to fund more than $411 million in improvements statewide, including $19 million for clean water projects in Somerville and Hillsborough.

The upgrades will bring the Raritan Valley facility up to federal air emission guidelines and allow for the continued treatment of wastewater at the site.

AMTRAK SETS REVENUE, RIDERSHIP RECORDS IN FISCAL 2016
It was a strong year for Amtrak, as the nation's passenger railroad set records for ticket revenue and number of riders, while posting its lowest operating loss in more than 40 years.

Amtrak says its ticket revenue for fiscal 2016, which ended Sept. 30, reached $2.14 billion, up $12 million over fiscal 2015. Amtrak served 31.3 million passengers for the year, up more than 400,000 from fiscal 2015 and the sixth straight year the railroad has served more than 30 million customers.

"The results demonstrate the value we deliver to our customers and the vital role Amtrak plays in our nation's transportation system," Board Chairman Anthony Coscia said in a prepared statement. "We are off to another strong start for the new fiscal year and will provide a great travel experience for customers who choose Amtrak in the upcoming holiday season."

Amtrak said its ticket sales and other revenues covered 94 percent of operating costs, up from 92 percent in fiscal 2015. Total revenue came in at a record $3.2 billion, while the operating loss of $227 million was $78 million smaller than the year before and the lowest operating loss since 1973.

Among the Amtrak services that saw record ridership and revenue were the Northeast Regional and Keystone lines, which both serve the New York region.

Amtrak also said it will invest in improvements that include the creation of the Moynihan Station in New York City, as well as other major investments and developments in Philadelphia and elsewhere.

SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION 
Six school districts held special school elections on November 8 to vote on construction proposals.
A total of $39.5 million was approved for the Mullica Township, Lyndhurst, North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional and Long Branch school districts. 

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

On Line News Now - October 31, 2016 Edition


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CONSTRUCTION PLANS TO COME DURING ALLIANCE EVENT 

The eagerly anticipated Construction Forecast Seminar will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, November 1.

Leaders of 25-30 private and public construction agencies will give a one-of-a-kind report on their capital plans at Forsgate Country Club, Monroe. The insider information will be made to a sellout audience of business, government and labor representatives. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. and the presentations at 9:00 a.m. 

Reports will range over a wide variety of projects from private and independent to state colleges and universities, local schools to transportation. 

Click here to register. 

"WHERE THE WORK IS!" CITES BILLIONS IN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS

More than two hundred business and labor executives got a key update on billions of dollars worth of work at New Jersey's regional authorities. The New Jersey Alliance for Action's "Where the Work Is" conference focused on infrastructure, construction, maintenance and repairs needed in the tri-state area.

Gerald T. Keenan, Alliance Executive Vice President, stressed that the income for infrastructure projects does more than offer a direct impact to New Jerseys' economic health and that both provide improvements to the overall quality of life.  

James Starace, Chief Engineer of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, cited the Port Authority's ten-year capital plan.  

Len Rustam, Engineering Program Manager for the Delaware River Port Authority, reported on the status of projects for the Betsy Ross, Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry Bridges and the Patco High Speed Line.

Roy Little, Chief Engineer of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, reminded the audience that the Scudder Falls project will provide for substantial completion of  the $20 million Stage 1 in 2018.

John Rotolo, Chief Engineer of the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission, cited Superstorm Sandy damage for the need to repair a power plant at $118 million and the flood wall at $75 million.

Assistant Chief Engineer Dave Hoppenjans reported on repairs by the Delaware River and Bay Authority estimated at $404 million until at least 2021.

BOUND BROOK FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT IS CELEBRATED

Completion in Bound Brook of the $143 million flood mitigation project was hailed as both a financial boom and safety protection for community and its residents. Governor Chris Christie said the project, which spanned nearly 17 years, will produce immediate benefits. 

Bound Brook sustained $2.5 billion in flood damages and eight deaths over the last century.  Christie stressed that the project marked a commitment by all levels of government and is part of a larger flood plan to protect the region. 

The federal government covered 75 percent of the cost of the project and the rest was split between the state and local funding.  

The NJ Alliance worked for well over a decade along with the Green Brook Flood Control Commission, various congressional members, freeholders and local officials in getting federal and state support for this project. 

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON ONE THEATRE SQUARE IN NEWARK
               
Construction began on One Theatre Square in downtown Newark, a $116 million, twenty-two story high-rise residential development.   When completed in 2018, the building will sit directly across from the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (PAC) and Military Park.
                
Plans call for the building to feature 245 units, 12,000 feet of retail on the first floor, and a rooftop parking garage.



HUDSON TUNNELS GAIN FEDERAL OPTIMISM 
               
A more optimistic timetable for construction of two Hudson River rail tunnels was provided recently by a major federal official.
               
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx reported that the project has been designated a priority for accelerated environmental and permitting review toward a 2019 beginning. He said the designation could shave a year or more off development time.
                
Speaking at a news conference in Penn Station, New York, Foxx did not offer details of how the cost would be paid by New Jersey, New York and the federal government.




SAVE THE DATE
               
11/1/16 - Construction Forecast, register here

11/14/16 - Celebrate....TTF, NJ Statewide Transportation conference, register here.

12/5/16 - Pipelines for Prosperity, register here.

12/15/16 - Energizing the Economy, register here.  


CELEBRATE....TTF 
With the new gas tax approved by the state Legislature and Governor Christie, officials can now move forward on Department of Transportation Capital work.  
The new legislation will fund an historic eight year, $16 billion Transportation Trust Fund financing plan to repair bridge, road and transit improvements infrastructure.  .
Be there for Celebrate TTF, the NJ Statewide Transportation Conference when we honor the people and groups who succeeded in making the case for the TTF renewal.  Our featured speaker will be NJ DOT Commissioner Rick Hammer. 

Click here to register.

TRANS-HUDSON COMMUTING CAPACITY STUDY REPORT 
The completed Trans-Hudson Commuting Capacity Study Summary Report and Appendices were posted to the Port Authority's website.  Below are the links to the Summary Report and Appendices. The Appendices provide supporting documentation encompassing the following topics:

A - Interstate Bus Network - Operational and Service Strategies
B -  Multi-Modal Network Strategies
C - Technology Implications and Opportunities
D - Summary of the Capacity Study Expert Workshop
E - Travel Demand Management Strategies


JCP&L MOVING CENTRAL JERSEY HEADQUARTERS
Bell Works has its latest tenant: Jersey Central Power & Light, which is moving its central New Jersey regional headquarters to the Holmdel office complex next year.
The utility, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy that serves 1.1 million people in the Garden State, said it has signed a 10-year lease for 64,000 square feet at the four-building, 2 million-square-foot former Bell Labs complex at 101 Crawfords Corner Road.
JCP&L's lease at its current Red Bank regional headquarters expires next year. Nearly 200 engineering, billing, human resources, outage restoration and support staff, as well as management, will be moving by early summer 2017, the utility said.

JCP&L said a major part of the relocation effort is moving its central region dispatch office, including the system operators and support staff who monitor the electric system and dispatch personnel as needed in the event of a service interruption.

HACKENSACK UMC TOPS US NEWS RANKING OF NEW JERSEY HOSPITALS 
Hackensack University Medical Center was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the top in New Jersey and fourth in the New York region. 
Other top three rankings were Morristown Medical Center and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.  The rankings were based on a variety of patient outcomes and career-related factors such as patient safety and nurse staffing. 

ALLERGAN TO USE EDA INCENTIVES FOR NEW MADISON HQ
Over $58 million in state incentives will be used by Dublin-based Allergan to consolidate current New Jersey based operations and develop a new US headquarters in Madison by the end of 2017. 

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority voted to approve Allergen for a 10-year $58.2 million Grow New Jersey Award.  Allergan currently maintains its U.S. headquarters in Parsippany and also has offices in Bridgewater, Jersey City and Rockaway.  Allergan said it is attracted by New Jersey's Vibrant health care ecosystem." 

NOVO NORDISK HEADQUARTERS SOLD FOR $305 MILLION
               
Novo Nordisk's North American headquarters in Plainsboro was sold for $305 million to a Korean investment firm.  The brokerage firm of Cushman & Wakefield said it was the largest single asset sale in New Jersey to date in 2016. 

FORMER AT&T HEADQUARTERS IS SOLD
               
The 400,000-square-foot office building in Morris Township that once served as a regional headquarters for AT&T has been sold.  The new owners reported that they intend to reposition the building known as Kemblel Plaza I at 340 Mount Kemble Avenue.



PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
  • Kevin Zavaglia was appointed by Verizon Wireless as President of its northeast market which is headquartered in Morristown and oversees business functions in the ten-state market including New Jersey and New York. 
  • Christopher Porrino was confirmed by the State Senate as New Jersey's Attorney General.  Porrino had been serving since June as acting attorney general. 
  • Dr. Bernard McSherry was named NJ City University's founding dean of the NJCU School of Business. 
  • Kenneth R. Fulmer, P.E., was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Urban Engineers. 

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

OLN - August 15, 2016

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PENNEAST PIPELINE HEARINGS SCHEDULED
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC Commission) is seeking public comment for the PennEast Pipeline draft environmental impact statement.  Post your support for the PennEast Pipeline, which will deliver natural gas from Pennsylvania to New Jersey, by attending public hearing at the following times:

Tuesday, August 16, 2016 (new location)
6-10pm
Holiday Inn Clinton-Bridgewater
Hunterdon Ballroom
111 W. Main Street
Clinton, NJ 
and
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
6-10pm
Patriots Theater at War Memorial
1 Memorial Drive
Trenton, NJ 
You can also send testimony to FERC by visiting the Commission's website, www.ferc.gov, under the link to Documents and Filings and comments or  mailing them to the following address:

Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE, Room 1A
Washington, DC 20426

Be sure to reference the project docket number (CP15-558-000) with your submission

2016 EAGLE AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED 


Six leaders of New Jersey's economic life will receive prized Eagle Awards at the New Jersey Alliance for Action's 42nd  annual dinner on October 24.  The dinner will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Brunswick.
A sell-out crowd of New Jersey and regional leaders will turn out to pay tribute to the Alliance for Action's Eagle Award honorees at the Eagle Awards banquet on October 24 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Brunswick.
           
Don't miss the special evening when we honor:
  • Honorable Stephen Sweeney, State Senate President and General Vice President of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers, receiving Sigurd Lucassen Labor Award.
  • James Starace, Chief Engineer, The Port Authority of NY&NJ, receiving the Dr. John L. Buzzi Engineering Excellence Award
  • Gus Anselmi, Secretary-Treasurer, Anselmi & DeCicco, Inc., receiving the Ellis S. Vieser Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Jim Fakult, President, JCP&L, receiving the President's Award
  • William Varley, President, New Jersey American Water, receiving the Walter Rand South Jersey Award
  • Steven M. Rose, President, Passaic County Community College, receiving the Richard Hale Chairman's Award
Click here for ticket and advertising book information. 
AMERICAN DREAM SECURING ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDING
American Dream Meadowlands took a step toward securing $800 million in state-backed financing. American Dream Meadowlands has taken a major step forward with news that the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has unanimously voted to advance a new financing plan for the megamall.

The Sports Authority had already agreed to issue $350 million in bonds on behalf of Triple Five, the developer of the mall. Under the proposed financing plan, the Sports Authority will issue another $800 million in debt.
American Dream expects to open in late summer 2018.



MCGUIGAN TOMBS & COMPANY JOINS ITS PRACTICE WITH WITHUMSMITH+BROWN
McGuigan Tombs & Company, a $3 million plus certified public accounting firm based in Manasquan, joined its practice with WithumSmith+Brown, PC (Withum), a regional CPA and consulting firm with 14 offices, 800 staff members and annual revenue of $140M, ranking in the top 30 firms in the country. All of McGuigan Tombs' team members will relocate to Withum's Red Bank office.
"We are thrilled to have the staff from McGuigan Tombs come on board," says Andy Vitale, CPA, the partner in charge of the acquiring firm's Red Bank office. "Their expertise in serving clients in the construction industry will nicely augment our current construction practice. They will also enhance our private company practice in the local market."

AMERICAN WATER TO PURCHASE SHORELANDS WATER COMPANY
               
Voorhees-based American Water, the nation's largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company, announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire the Shorelands Water Company, a privately owned water utility that provides water services to more than 11,000 customer accounts in Monmouth County. Financial and other terms of the sale were not disclosed. The agreement is subject to the review and approval of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
When completed, the acquisition will continue the expansion of New Jersey American Water's operations. Earlier this year, American Water completed the acquisition of Environmental Disposal Corporation (which provides service in the Bernards and Bedminster area), and New Jersey American Water acquired the former Roxiticus Water Company (in Mendham Township) and began providing water and wastewater service to Elk Township.




PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

  • The NJ State Senate approved Governor Christie's nomination of Rick Hammer as Commissioner of the NJ Department of Transportation. 

Friday, July 22, 2016

Online Newsletter - July 28, 2016

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July 28, 2016


In This Issue
DRJTBC HAS PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED 
                
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission (DRJTBC)  unveiled a proposed Scudder Falls Replacement Bridge (I-95) toll schedule projected to take effect in 2019, when the first span of the new bridge is expected to open.

If approved in late September by the Commission's board of directors after a slate of public hearings, tolls would be $1.25 for passenger vehicles with E-ZPass; $2.60 for Toll-by-Plate passenger vehicles without E-ZPass; and 75 cents for commuters who make at least 16 tolled trips per month using a Commission-affiliated E-ZPass tag. Tolls will be charged in the southbound direction via an all-electronic toll (AET) collection system of E-ZPass tag readers and high-resolution cameras.

The public hearings will be held as follows:

- Aug. 2, 2016, Holiday Inn Express, 90 Kunkle Dr., Easton, PA. Toll hearing 6 p.m.

- Aug. 4, 2016, Early Childhood Learning Center, 459 Center St., Phillipsburg, NJ. Toll hearing 6 p.m.

- Aug. 9, 2016, High Point Golf Club, 342 Shore Dr., Montague, NJ. Toll hearing 6 p.m.

- Aug. 11, 2016 East Stroudsburg University Innovation Center, 562 Independence Rd., East Stroudsburg, PA. Toll hearing 6 p.m.

Under Commission policy, the public also may provide comment on the proposed toll changes by any of the following, additional methods:
- Email - send to communityaffairs@drjtbc.org

- Commission website - go to the "contact us" portal at www.drjtbc.org (direct URL is www.drjtbc.org/comment.

- US Mail - address to Director of Community Affairs Jodee Inscho, DRJTBC Executive Offices, 2492 River Rd., New Hope, PA. 18938.
Individuals seeking to provide comment should do so no later than August 29, 2016.

For more information click here https://www.drjtbc.org/default.aspx?pageid=3935


UNITED AIRLINES TO MODERNIZE AIRPORT
               
United Airlines and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have announced plans to further modernize the airport security at several of the airline's largest hubs.

United, in collaboration with the TSA, will install state-of-the-art, automated security lanes, add permanent TSA Precheck® enrollment centers at convenient locations and redesign security checkpoints at several of the airline's most-frequented hub airports.


United will debut the automated lanes at Newark Liberty International Airport, the airline's premier Trans-Atlantic gateway, this fall. When United, in collaboration with the TSA, completes the installation, the entire centralized security checkpoint at Terminal C in Newark Liberty will feature 17 automated lanes.


$19.7 M PLAN UNVEILED FOR VISITORS' CENTER AT PATERSON'S GREAT FALLS

Construction plans are moving ahead for the $19.7 million Alexander Hamilton Visitors Center near the lower level of the Passaic River facing the Great Falls in Paterson. Supporters presenting details for the multi level facility to the city's national park advisory committee say the 7,500 square foot facility will increase tourism and boost dollars coming into the region.

NJ BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES APPROVES MERGER OF SOUTHERN COMPANY AND AGL RESOURCES 
                
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (Board) has approved a merger between Southern Company and AGL Resources, the parent company of Elizabethtown Gas.  As a result of the board's approval, a typical residential customer of Elizabethtown Gas will receive a $42 credit on an upcoming bill statement.
      

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

  • Governor Christie announced State Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Harold J. Wirths will step down next month and will be nominated to serve on the State Parole Board.
  • Pennoni announced the promotion of Associate Vice President and Newark, NJ Office Director Todd Hay, PE, CME, to Regional Vice President and the appointment of Senior Business Development Associate Jerry Prevete to Associate Vice President.                         

  • Michael DeVito joined the staff of Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey on July 5, 2016, as Information & Communications Manager.
  • Stokes Creative Group announced Sam Capri as the new Chief Operating Officer.  
$1M BRIDGE PROJECT OK'D FOR ROUTE 202

The state Department of Transportation has approved a $1 million emergency project to replace a Route 202 bridge damaged in heavy rains and flooding on July 10.
The work is taking place despite the suspension of Transportation Trust Fund projects on July 8 that occurred when the state Legislature and the governor could not agree on a plan to provide revenue to the fund, which expired at the end of June.
The state DOT has said the suspension of projects allows there to be enough funds for emergency projects, such as the Route 202 bridge. Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson) have reached an agreement on resolving the TTF funding crisis. A vote could come as early as Aug. 1.

FEDERAL AGENCY GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO CONTROVERSIAL PENNEAST PIPELINE 

Federal energy regulators have approved a draft environmental impact statement for the hotly contested 118-mile PennEast Pipeline, which would deliver Marcellus Shale natural gas primarily to utilities in the Lehigh Valley and in New Jersey.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said that construction of the $1 billion pipeline would cause some adverse environmental impacts, but that "most of these impacts would be reduced to less-than-significant levels.

PennEast, which is sponsored by a subsidiary of UGI Corp. of Valley Forge, called the report "a major step forward" and said it anticipates a final decision from FERC in 2017.

FEDERAL FUNDING FOR GATEWAY PROJECT GAINS STEAM

Good news on the project to build a new rail line between New Jersey and New York.  The federal Department of Transportation is starting the  Gateway Project's "project development" phase for the New Starts program.  The project development phase involves environmental review and adopting the program into the DOT's long range transportation plan.  New Starts, along with other federal and loan programs, is expected to comprise a bulk of the federal government's funding commitment to the Gateway project.

PERMIT EXTENSION ACT EXTENDED IN NINE COUNTIES 
  
On June 30, 2016, Governor Christie signed into law a one-year extension of the Permit Extension Act ("PEA") (A3617/S2390) in the nine counties most impacted by Superstorm Sandy. The extension only applies to approvals in Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union Counties. The law will allow the municipal, county, and state permits that were previously extended by the PEA to remain valid in those nine counties for an additional year.

2016 EAGLE AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED 

Six leaders of New Jersey's economic life will receive prized Eagle Awards at the New Jersey Alliance for Action's 42nd  annual dinner on October 24.  The dinner will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Brunswick.
             
Alliance Chairman George Laufenberg and President Philip K. Beachem announced the members of Eagle Awards Class of 2016.  They are:

Sigurd Lucassen Labor Award
  • Hon. Stephen Sweeney, NJ Senate President & General Vice President, International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers
Dr. John L. Buzzi Engineering Excellence Award
  • James Starace, Chief Engineer, The Port Authority of NY&NJ
Ellis S. Vieser Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Gus Anselmi, Secretary-Treasurer, Anselmi & DeCicco, Inc.
President's Award
  • Jim Fakult, President, JCP&L
Walter Rand South Jersey Award
  • William Varley, President, New Jersey American Water
Richard Hale Chariman's Award
  • Steven M. Rose, President, Passaic County Community College
Click here for more information.