NJ TRANSIT ANNOUNCES OVER $800 MILLION IN UPCOMING CONTRACTING WORK
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT hosted a packed event with prime contractors, small businesses and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) today, showcasing upcoming capital construction projects, and opportunities to connect and do business with the agency. Approximately 150 people attended the event to learn more about over $800 million in contracting opportunities in capital projects that will be available in the upcoming year.
Attendees of the conference heard from NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Kevin Corbett and New Jersey State Diversity Officer Hester Agudosi, who underscored the State’s commitment to rebuilding infrastructure and investing in state-of-good-repair projects, and the commitment to diversify and build capacity in the contracting pool.
Gottheimer, King Announce Bill Demanding “Doomsday Plan” For Tunnel Failure
What Do We Do When the Train Tunnels Fail and We Can’t Get In or Out of New York City?
Ridgewood NJ, Congressmen Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) and Peter King (NY-02) announced their new bill to demand an economic estimate and contingency plan for the “Doomsday” scenario where one of the two North River Tunnels must be shut down beneath the Hudson River.
The North River Tunnels carry 200,000 travelers daily and are crumbling after damage from over 100 years of use and flooding during Superstorm Sandy. On Tuesday, the Regional Plan Association released “A Preventable Crisis,” a report outlining the catastrophic economic consequences of a tunnel being shut down.
Glen Rock NJ, Several vehicles were damaged on Monday morning, 02/25, when a large tree limb fell into a parking lot of the Main Line Train Station on Rock Road in Glen Rock, Glen Rock Police responded to identify the impacted vehicle owners and to process a property damage report. Glen Rock DPW workers were summoned to remove the fallen limb. No injuries were reported.
First – add the damn spaces at the train station right away. What is the delay???
Next – cancel the garage. Repave that lot and re-stripe it, reduce the access~egress curb cuts to just one or two. This will add a ton of spaces.
Next – reduce the cost of commuter parking passes. It is ridiculously high now (but not as high as Voigt had suggested when he laughingly said it should be $1500 because the people in Ridgewood could afford it).
Next – put parking at the lot behind Ben and Jerry’s where that old garage was. Plenty of space there and only a two block walk to the train station.
Next – make the meters stop at 6 PM once again. 8 PM is way too late. Also, please have FREE parking on Saturdays throughout the year.
Photo credit Chief Dan Schuster Woodcliff Lake Fire Dept.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Twp of Washington NJ, on December 28 at 6:43pm the Twp of Washington Fire Department responded to a bus fire on Washington Avenue. The bus had no passengers. Woodcliff Lake Fire Dept provided standby. Twp of Washington Ambulance Corp and Hillsdale Ambulance also responded to the scene. Twp of Washington Police handled traffic. Fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported.
The cost of parking at the train station for residents is now 11.00 a day, 55 a week, 220 a month. That is not the cost of an annual parking pass just what you pay now as a resident. Almost double other towns. Also almost impossible for a resident to get a spot after 7am as out of town permits are also sold with no preference for residents. Traffic in the area is just awful getting in and out of the station with no easy pickup or discharge
Finally no overnight parking so god forbid you work at night or decide to stay in NYC for the night.
The change in Secaucus to get to midtown is ridiculous. RW has lost its role as a easy commuter station. Residents are neglected, trains are unreliable, the buses are problematic, parking is expensive, and village/school/ state taxes are a mess. Does anyone see this getting better or plans to address.
Where to go? Great question. But with kids out of schools, 35k in taxes, terrible and expense commute, 110k school budget with declining rankings and property values declining maybe the question is how soon to go ?
When many of my neighbors can appeal their taxes every year due to declining values is that a good indicator of our future values?
“Unless you work in Hoboken, the Exchange Place area of Jersey City, or lower Manhattan (near World Trade), the commute to NYC from Ridgewood is horrendous, time consuming, and undependable. Northern NJ communities served by NJ Transit’s Midtown Direct Service are becoming increasing more appealing to home buyers, as evidenced by the skyrocketing prices of homes and bidding wars taking place in Montclair, Glen Ridge, Chatham, Millburn, Summit, etc.”
“Amazing that this blog actually is from a year . . . and another $300 hike in the yearly fee ago . . . and nothing has changed. Actually, there HAVE been changes, but they have all been to the detriment of commuters. The new passes are $1300 per year. Want a pass for the Hudson Street lot? That will get you a parking spot until the construction begins, and the pleasure of depending on Uber to get to the station to catch your morning ride to work after construction starts. Oh, and forget about parking anywhere on the weekend, because, of course, who works on Saturday or Sunday?
Want a pass for other lots? Well, don’t count on parking in the train station unless you have a compact car. The planned renovations add spots, but they are only for compact vehicles. Because, after all, almost everyone in Ridgewood drives a compact. Unable to find a spot at the station, maybe because you aren’t there before 6:30 in the morning? Enjoy a healthy hike from across town. Hopefully, the snow and rain won’t be a problem this winter.
This is just PATHETIC. This is a real problem for anyone trying to sell their home – NO ONE in their right mind would consider moving here who works in NYC. I know we certainly would not have moved here, even without knowing the truth about the fraud underlying the reputation enjoyed by Ridgewood’s school system. The only thing worse than the stress of uncertainty about finding a parking spot is the sanctimonious disingenuousness of residents and council members who insist that protecting the access of “diners and shoppers” to parking is key to Ridgewood’s welfare.”
Ridgewood NJ, The Borough of Glen Rock and Glen Rock Police Department would like to remind Residents and Visitors to safely cross Railroad Tracks, by following the recommendations below from NJ Transit: •Cross Tracks Only at Designated Locations! •Never go around crossing gates that are down, on foot or in a car! •Stay alert, don’t rush. •Trespassing: It’s Not Worth the Risk! •Trains Can’t Stop Quickly! •Trains Can’t Swerve! •Stay Alert Near Tracks! •Stay Away from Overhead Electrical Wires! •Never Throw Items at Trains or onto Tracks! •Watch the Gap between the train & the platforms
Residents with concerns regarding railroad crossing safety can contact NJ TRANSIT Police Department at (973) 378-6565 or, Tip line at 1-888-TIPS-NJT or, by text message to NJTPD (65873).
Ridgewood NJ,NJ TRANSIT today marked 100-percent completion of the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) 2018 year-end milestone for Positive Train Control (PTC). Criteria for this requirement included installation of equipment on locomotives and cab control cars, installation of 326 miles of wayside equipment including radios, transponders and poles, as well as initiating PTC testing and employee training. The achievement means NJ TRANSIT can apply for an alternative schedule to have PTC fully operational by the end of 2020.
“It’s a new day at NJ TRANSIT,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “We promised the people of New Jersey that we would start making it right at NJ TRANSIT and this achievement shows we are doing just that. Make no mistake. There’s still a lot of work left to do on PTC, but this is a major step forward as we continue to rebuild our mass transit system.”
“After years of being behind schedule, meeting the federal deadline for installing Positive Train Control technology along NJ TRANSIT rail lines shows transit passengers that safety is priority number one,” said Congressman Bill Pascrell, who worked to secure a federal grant for PTC installation in 2017. “I expect PTC can help prevent future accidents and start restoring New Jerseyans’ trust in our public transit. While there are miles to go to repair the damage from years of neglect, Governor Murphy deserves commendation for his focus on improving NJ TRANSIT. We must again have a mass transit system New Jerseyans deserve.”
“I want to congratulate Governor Murphy on meeting this important Positive Train Control (PTC) milestone and making this effort one of his highest priorities. This will enhance the safety of all rail commuters and prevent tragic train accidents such as train-to-train collisions and high-speed derailments from happening in the future,” said Congressman Albio Sires.
“On behalf of the board, I extend our thanks to the Governor for his unwavering commitment, and to the staff, for meeting such a critical deadline necessary to ensure continued service for our customers,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti.
“Accomplishing this goal would not have been possible without the hard work and commitment of the men and women at NJ TRANSIT assigned to this project, along with our contractors, who completed four years of work in less than a year.” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Kevin Corbett. “As our customers are at the heart of what we do, I also want to thank them for their patience and understanding in helping us reach this milestone. This achievement is certainly something I’m proud of, but we still have another four years’ worth of work to accomplish in the next two years. While there is still much work to be done, I’m confident that our team will have PTC fully operational by December 31, 2020.”
Ridgewood NJ, The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today approved a contract with Bombardier for 113 new rail cars, which includes the first self-propelled multilevel rail cars in the United States.
“This historic purchase is the perfect example of how NJ TRANSIT is reclaiming its position as a national leader in transportation,’’ said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Kevin Corbett. “The new self-propelled multilevel cars break new ground in railroad technology and we’re proud that NJ TRANSIT is leading the way. With this investment, we’ll be able to retire the oldest rail cars in our fleet, while increasing reliability, efficiency and customer comfort.’’
This order for 113 Multilevel III Passenger Vehicles, the largest order for rail cars in recent years by NJ TRANSIT, will allow the agency to replace the oldest rail cars in its fleet.
The cost for the contract will not exceed $670 million plus contingencies.
The purchase, which consists of 58 “power cars” with electric propulsion capability and 55 non-powered trailer cars, was approved as part of the Fiscal Year 2018 budget. A Request for Proposals (RFP) went out in October 2017.
The Multilevel III Power Cars are Electric Multiple Units (EMU’s), a multiple-unit train consisting of self-propelled cars using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the vehicles on the train.
The vehicles are scheduled to begin testing in the third quarter of 2022 and are expected to enter revenue service during the second quarter of 2023.
The Multilevel III Passenger Vehicles will replace the aging Arrow III EMUs, which are over 40 years old. The new cars increase seating capacity from 1,380 seats on a 12-car Arrow III train to 1,552 seats on a new 12-car Multilevel III train. The new cars will feature roomier two-by-two seating as opposed to the three-person bench seats that are currently on the Arrow III cars. Other customer amenities include USB charging ports for customers and new, onboard information displays.
The base order is for 58 multilevel power cars, 33 cab cars, 16 trailer cars and 6 trailer cars with restrooms. There are also options for an additional 636 cars to replace the remaining single-level cars and accommodate future growth
This purchase is allowing NJ TRANSIT to take a step toward the goal of having the overall average age of all rail vehicles under 30 years old, making for a more modern fleet that supports enhanced comfort, reliability and efficiency.
The benefits of the Multilevel III Passenger Vehicles include reduced operating costs, higher acceleration and an 11 percent increase in seating capacity. The Multilevels also have a higher Mean Distance Between Failure (MDBF); 370,575 miles, compared to 40,046 miles for the Arrow IIIs based on October 2018 data.
Ridgewood NJ, the New Jersey State Police remind you to leave a little extra time and a little extra space.
Although winter is still a little over a week away, cold temperatures and winter weather are upon us nevertheless. Parts of North Jersey are expected to get some light snow tomorrow morning and into the afternoon, which could create hazardous road conditions.
Now, meteorologists aren’t predicting a blizzard, but light snow can still create dangerous driving conditions. The best thing you can do to help us and crews tasked with treating and clearing the roads is to avoid driving during inclement weather if you can. Less traffic creates a safer environment for the men and women working on the roadways during inclement weather.
But we do know that many of you will have no choice but to drive to work. Fortunately, there are few things you can do to keep yourself and others safe when driving on snow-covered roads. First, you can #SlowYourRoll! Driving at speeds too fast for the road conditions is often a contributing factor in snow-related crashes and spinouts. These types of crashes not only put our Troopers in danger, they also put you, your occupants and other emergency personnel (like tow-truck drivers and first responders) in danger as well. Other cars spinning out of control are deadly to pedestrians at a scene.
The next best thing you can do is to leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you should you have to brake unexpectedly. Even anti-lock brakes are not enough to stop a slowing or stopping car sliding on slick, snowy roads. Oh, and plan to leave for work a little earlier. Because you’ll be rolling slower, right?
Troopers will be on patrol to assist you if you need us. Hopefully, you won’t require our services. Snow is expected to start in the morning. Snow totals will vary depending on where you live with some areas getting a wintry mix. For more in-depth updates, go to the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management Facebook page.
ANNUAL PARKING PERMITS AND FREE PARKING IN VILLAGE PARKING LOTS ON SPECIFIC SATURDAYS
Village Manager Heather A. Mailander
Ridgewood NJ,The 2019 Annual Commuter (Ridgewood Parking Permits – RPP) will go on sale on Monday, December 17,2018 at 8:30 a.m. at the Reception Desk in the lobby of Village Hall, and will continue to be sold Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to4:30 p.m., except holidays. All applicants must bring their driver’s license and vehicle registration(s) for car(s) they wish tolist on their permits, as the RPPs allow up to 3 cars on each hang tag. The RPPs allow commuters to park in designated Ridgewoodparking lots without having to pay the parking meters. The following is a summary of the Ridgewood Parking Permits (RPPs) and their prices:
Premium RPP – $1,300 annual fee – allows Ridgewood residents to park in the Train Station lot, Prospect Street lot, and allRidgewood lots, including Route 17 Park and Ride lot. A Premium RPP may not be used in the Hudson parking lot. A maximumof 155 Premium RPPs will be sold, on a first come, first served basis.
Hudson Lot – $1,300 annual fee – allows Ridgewood residents to park in the Hudson parking lot only, with a guaranteedparking space. When the Hudson parking lot is closed, due to the construction of the parking garage, those residents with a Hudson parking lotpermit will participate in a ride share program, through December 31, 2019. Residents who purchase Hudson parking lot permits must purchase apremium Ridgewood parking permit at the end of 2019 in order to continue to participate in the ride share program until the parking garage opens in2020.
Non-Premium RPP – $975 annual fee – allows Ridgewood residents to park in Chestnut Street lot, North Walnut Street lot, CottagePlace lot, and Route 17 Park and Ride lot.
Park and Ride RPP – $975 annual fee – this price is for both Ridgewood residents and non-residents, and allows parking in theRoute 17 Park and Ride lot.
Non-resident RPP in Central Business District – $1,950 annual fee – allows non-residents to park in the Cottage Place lot.
Ridgewood Resident Commuter Sticker – Free – All Ridgewood resident commuters who wish to park at the train station must bringin their driver’s license and vehicle registration(s) to obtain a free Ridgewood Resident Commuter sticker. Free Ridgewood ResidentCommuter stickers will also be issued to all Ridgewood residents purchasing RPPs and the Hudson Lot permit.
The Village will accept checks, cash, or credit cards (with a 3% transaction fee to the user) for payment.
There are also Central Business District (CBD) Employee stickers and hang tags that may be purchased by those who work in the CBD and allows parkingat designated meters in the North Walnut Street and Cottage Place lots.
A plan to build a new passenger rail tunnel — and repair the existing one that’s now falling apart — will cost nearly $13 billion and could, perhaps, be completed in late 2026, according to a draft environmental impact statement released Thursday.
That $13 billion represents an increase over the original estimate of the project, which was routinely pegged by officials as somewhere in the $8 to $10 billion range.
The original estimates were “a very conceptual number,” based on a project that was, at the time, only 1 percent designed but is now at 10 percent design, said John Porcari, interim executive director of the Gateway Program Development Corporation.
Bergen Line and Main Line and Port Jervis customers can expect delays ,but schedule remains unaffected .
July 8,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT is reminding customers that the summer rail service changes due to Amtrak track work at Penn Station New York (PSNY) will go into effect on Monday, July 10th. This includes the diversion of all M&E Midtown Direct trains scheduled to arrive in PSNY after 7 a.m. to Hoboken Terminal, where alternate bus, ferry and PATH service is available. Additional busing will be in place at key locations.
“This has been an all-hands-on-deck effort to communicate with our customers,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Steve Santoro. “If you haven’t done so already, I strongly urge all customers to utilize the next few days to familiarize yourself with all of your travel options.
“This will not be a normal commute for any of us including our customers, so we ask that you; stay connected to social media and our web page for the latest information; stay ahead by building in extra time for your commute; and stay cool and try not to lose patience. On Monday, our customer service ambassadors will be out in force, so if you have questions or need directions, just look for them in their bright yellow vests,” Santoro said.
For the past several weeks, NJ TRANSIT has been preparing its customers for these upcoming service changes. NJ TRANSIT has been engaging with customers through “We Are Listening” forums in Hoboken and PSNY, customer service ambassadors answering questions at key stations, senior and executive management staff riding M&E trains into PSNY during the morning rush hour in addition to informational flyers, newsletters, service alerts, internet advertising and a new section of the website devoted entirely to this effort at njtransit.com/theupdate. New paper rail schedules were printed reflecting the service changes and are available throughout the system. Electronic printable versions of the schedules can be found at njtransit.com/theupdate.
To accommodate Amtrak’s track repairs in July and August at PSNY, NJ TRANSIT must implement service changes weekdays only between Monday, July 10th and Friday, September 1st. NJ TRANSIT is strongly advising customers on all modes of transportation to remain aware of the status of the system by signing up for My Transit alerts, monitoring Twitter (@NJTRANSIT) and the website njtransit.com/theupdate.
NJ TRANSIT Service Plan July 10th- September 1st . The summer service plan will be in place weekdays from July 10th through September 1st and primary effect Morris & Essex Lines (M&E) customers. Bergen Line and Main Line and Port Jervis customers can expect delays ,but schedule remains unaffected .
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