OnLine News - 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.