JANUARY 7, 2016 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016, 6:48 AM
BY PAUL BERGER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
When Governor Christie, citing potential cost overruns, scuttled an $8.9 billion tunnel project in 2010, he set in motion a string of moves by local, state and federal officials that have resulted in a proposal for a much larger, federally driven project to build new rail tunnels under the Hudson River that by some estimates could cost $20 billion.
Planning for the new tunnels, dubbed Gateway, is expected to ramp up this year as the Port Authority takes the reins of what could be the largest public works project in the nation. And it joins new efforts – such as one announced Wednesday by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to spend $3 billion to overhaul New York Penn Station — to rebuild crumbling infrastructure in the region.
Like its predecessor, Gateway plans to deliver rail tunnels that would double the train capacity into New York City. And Gateway, like the canceled Access to the Region’s Core project, also envisions a new set of tracks that bypass Secaucus Junction, creating a one-seat ride from North Jersey into Manhattan.
But Gateway is a much broader project that also includes critical repairs to the existing train tunnels, upgrades and replacements of several bridges along Amtrak’s heavily traveled Northeast Corridor line, and miles of additional tracks between Newark and New York City.
With any luck, it should be completed in the next 20 years.
By Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on January 04, 2016 at 8:11 AM, updated January 04, 2016 at 10:59 AM
Replacing bridge decks on several ramps and overpasses between I-78 and Route 1&9 in Newark: The $17.9 million project is expected to start in early 2016 and be completed in early 2017
Repaving 6.6 miles of I- 80 East express and local lanes between Paterson, Elmwood Park and Hackensack: The project is scheduled to start this summer and be completed before the winter of 2016,
While there is uncertainty about how the state will pay for road and bridge projects after 2016, drivers will see plenty of flashing arrows and orange cones that come with the promise of smooth pavement, wider lanes and sturdier bridges.
Drivers might consider 2016 the year of the bridge, because the state has many massive multi-year bridge projects. Work continues on the $1 billionrehabilitation of the Pulaski Skyway, building a new Route 7 Wittpenn bridge, finishing the Route 18 overpass over Route 1, and replacement of the Routes 37 and 72 bridges to Jersey Shore barrier islands.
Drivers also will see large projects continuing on the states major toll roads, including the last phase of Garden State Parkway widening in Atlantic County, the continued work on new interchanges at Exit 14A and 9 on the New Jersey Turnpike and on a new deck on the turnpike’s Hudson County extension.
Work also is starting on new projects in 2016, including:
The first phase of a larger project to rebuild the interchange between Routes 3, 46, Valley, Notch and Rifle Camp Roads in Clifton. This includes construction of a new service road on Great Notch Road, a new bridge over Route 46 at Clove Road and reconstruction of the existing Notch Road Bridge, said Dan Triana, a state department of transportation spokesman.
Money-Saving Family Super Saver Fare in Effect For Holiday Period
December 17, 2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
ALCOHOL NOT PERMITTED ON ALL NJ TRANSIT VEHICLES DURING HOBOKEN SANTACON
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT is prohibiting alcoholic beverages on all of its trains, light rail vehicles and buses on Saturday December 19th and Sunday December 20th to coincide with the annual Hoboken SantaCon event. According to NJT this policy will be strictly enforced and a reminder: Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on NJ TRANSIT buses at any time regardless of event.
NJ TRANSIT is offering extra service for the upcoming holidays to give customers more travel options, whether going to the mall for last-minute shopping, leaving work early for the holidays, or attending New Year’s Eve festivities.
In addition, NJ TRANSIT is giving customers almost two weeks of continuous savings through a special extension of the Family Super Saver Fare, which allows up to two children 11 and younger to travel free with each fare-paying adult. Usually limited to weekends, the Family Super Saver Fare will be in effect for the entire holiday period, starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 24 until 6 a.m. Monday, January 4, on all trains, buses and light rail lines.
NJ TRANSIT customer service representatives and volunteers will be deployed at major facilities throughout the holiday weekend to assist customers with their travels.
For complete schedule and fare information, customers may visit njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555.
On Thursday, December 24, trains will operate on a weekday schedule on all lines with additional “early getaway” service from New York Penn Station, Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal starting at 1 p.m. on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex, Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines. Newark Light Rail, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and River Line will operate on a weekday schedule. Buses will operate on a regular weekday schedule on most routes, with early getaway service from the Port Authority Bus Terminal starting and the Jersey City waterfront around
1 p.m. to accommodate the heaviest travel. Visit njtransit.com for details.
Thursday, December 24, and Monday, December 28 through Thursday, December 31, in anticipation of lighter ridership, selected peak hour trips on certain bus routes will be eliminated. More information can be found on njtransit.com
On Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule on all rail lines. Newark Light Rail and River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Holiday bus schedules vary by route—customers are advised to consult their timetable for holiday schedule or visit njtransit.com for details.
On Saturday, December 26 and Sunday, December 27, trains will operate on a regular weekend schedule on all lines with an additional train operating Sunday only on the Port Jervis Line. In addition, Meadowlands service will operate for the Jets vs. New England game on December 27. Customers should visit njtransit.com for details. Newark Light Rail and River Line will operate on a Saturday and Sunday schedule respectively. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Buses will operate on a regular weekend schedule. Buses to and from New Jersey malls are subject to delays. Please consult the timetable for holiday schedule or visit njtransit.com for more details.
DECEMBER 13, 2015, 11:01 PM LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015, 11:20 PM
BY CHRISTOPHER MAAG
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
When the AirTrain monorail opened at Newark International Airport in 1996, it was viewed as an engineering marvel. Finally, the airport’s old fleet of bouncy, slow, diesel-fuming jitney buses had been replaced by a sleek train passing silently overhead.
“There will be no more people saying, ‘I got to the airport in 10 minutes but it took me 30 minutes to travel around the terminals,’Ÿ” said John J. Haley Jr., deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “The system is absolutely safe and reliable.”
Safe, maybe. But AirTrain Newark was never reliable. And that should have come as no surprise to the people responsible for bringing it to the airport.
They knew because they were told by the man who sold it to them.
“It was a system that had not been run previously in the snow,” said Paul H. Wyss, now 80 and retired for 20 years. He conceived the project in the early 1990s when he was chief of American operations for Von Roll Transport. “Everybody knew ahead of time that there would be issues with snow and snow removal,” he said.
That proved to be an understatement. Even before AirTrain was finished, the Port Authority had serious problems clearing snow and ice, which delayed the monorail’s opening. Those issues — plus a half-dozen more — grew worse over the next two decades.
Finally, 19 years after it went into service, Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye announced in May that AirTrain Newark must be scrapped.
The Port Authority’s commissioners voted Thursday to assume the lead role in a $20 billion project that is expected to double rail capacity between New York and New Jersey.
DECEMBER 8, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015, 8:53 AM
THE RECORD
NEW JERSEY drivers commuting to New York felt pain at the toll barriers Monday. On Sunday, the tolls at the George Washington Bridge and the Lincoln and Holland tunnels went up. Again.
With a five-year transportation bill that includes three possible funding sources to build the $20 billion Gateway Tunnel under the Hudson River, federal lawmakers said the legislation puts the region closer to getting the cash to pay it. Larry Higgs, NJ.com Read more
By Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on November 25, 2015 at 7:43 AM, updated November 25, 2015 at 2:09 PM
One of the nation’s leading financial rating agencies has weighed in on the Gateway Tunnel project, deeming it necessary to the regional economy and joined others who’ve suggested charging riders to help fund the project.
Two experts have suggested charging a user fee to commuters and travelers who make between 73 million and 100 million trips a year through the 105-year old tubes under the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey. Moody’s said this one possibility that could be used.
“A user fee, similar to U.S. airports passenger facility charge could generate $330 million annually for financing,” Moody’s wrote in an analysis of the Gateway project released on Tuesday. Airport passengers typically pay a $4.50 fee, the analysis said.
Phil Beachem, executive director of the N.J. Alliance for Action, proposed a user fee of $1 or $2 per trip on top of regular train fares. Jonathan Peters, a finance professor at SUNY College of Staten Island, who specializes in toll road and transportation financing has all suggested a user fee.
Moody’s didn’t question the economic need for constructing new tunnels before one of the existing 105-year old tunnels has to be closed to repair damage from Hurricane Sandy flooding.
“While the tunnel will add significant cost to a region already paying for significant infrastructure investments, it provides a vital commuter link for a regional economy with a $1.4 trillion Gross Domestic project,” Moody’s said in the analysis.
NOVEMBER 30, 2015, 7:02 PM LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015, 12:30 AM
BY CHRISTOPHER MAAG AND SHAWN BOBURG
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD
No one likes a toll hike. And next week, a toll hike package approved in 2011 will reach its zenith — starting Sunday, cash-paying drivers will have to pay $15 to cross the George Washington Bridge, nearly double what it cost just a few years ago.
But there could be a small silver lining. Because after a series of back-to-back annual increases beginning in 2011, this may be the last toll hike North Jersey drivers will have to pay for at least a few years, according to a major credit agency’s prediction. The cash |toll currently is $14. Drivers with E-ZPass will see their tolls rise |75 cents during peak hours, to $12.50.
The toll increases were included in a controversial package approved by the Port Authority’s board in 2011. Two years later, The Record revealed that the increase was part of a coordinated plan by Governor Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to subvert public input and advance an even higher increase, only to impose a slightly more modest hike to make themselves appear financially responsible.
The strategy may backfire on the Port Authority, according to Moody’s, a credit rating firm. The toll increase makes the PA more dependent than ever on money from its interstate bridges and tunnels, as revenue from airports has declined. But total vehicle traffic is down, and many people remain angry about the rising costs.
That could make future toll hikes politically difficult, good news for drivers but bad for the Port Authority.
A train delay for the ages; increasing service in Bergen County among several stalled plans
NOVEMBER 29, 2015 LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2015, 12:27 AM
BY CHRISTOPHER MAAG
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
In May 1928, a group of forward thinkers in New York City drew a map of North Jersey that envisioned passenger trains running from Englewood to Jersey City on an existing set of railroad tracks, part of a network they confidently named the “Ultimate Suburban Rapid Transit Plan.”
At 1 p.m. on a Thursday this month, 86 years later, three powerful New Jersey senators gathered in a conference room overlooking the same tracks to demand a return of passenger trains to the line.
“This is a project that should have happened years ago,” state Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Wood-Ridge, said of the project, known as the “Northern Branch.”
Bringing more rail service to Bergen County may be North Jersey’s most stubborn transportation dream. Even now, depending on how one counts, there are between six and 11 efforts to return passenger service to historic train lines. And although passenger trains, bus lines and highways have spread across the region in the post-World War II era, people here have pushed, planned, schemed and begged for even more commuter rail, either to reduce traffic congestion or to connect places that are difficult to reach by mass transit. And the problem grows more acute the closer one gets to New York City. For densely populated towns in eastern Bergen County, like Englewood, Fort Lee and Tenafly, trains simply are not an option, as state Sen. Loretta Weinberg, D-Teaneck, often points out.
“…I love being a trooper..Helping people. It’s what this is all abou ” -Trooper I Robert Ravotto
November 25,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Newark, N.J., Catching speeders is one of the things troopers do on the Turnpike. Trooper Robert Ravotto, Detective I Jason Kazan, Trooper II Robert Ciecwisz, and Detective Robert Kilmurray caught a different kind of speeder yesterday when they assisted with the swift delivery of a baby girl on the southbound side of the New Jersey Turnpike.
The expecting mother was being driven by her husband to her doctor for a check-up when her water surprisingly broke, which was prior to her due date. The couple called 911 and stopped at milepost 106.5 where they waited for responding troopers and first aid.
Troopers Kazan, Ciecwisz, and Kilmurray arrived at 2:43 p.m. Just two minutes later, at 2:45 p.m., they successfully helped mom deliver a baby girl. As they provided first aid to both, Trooper I Robert Ravotto, a certified EMT, arrived to assist. Trooper Ravotto immediately tied the umbilical cord, wrapped the baby in a blanket, and cleared her airway. The troopers continued to provide first aid to both until the first aid squad arrived, which was delayed due to traffic conditions.
Mom and baby were transported to University Medical Center in Newark where they were last reported as doing well. All of the assisting troopers were commended by University staff for their efforts, which helped prevent mom and baby from going into shock due to the cold and windy weather conditions.
Ridgewood Nj, Whether it’s over the river or through the woods, NJ TRANSIT is offering additional trains and buses this Thanksgiving holiday weekend to make it even easier for customers to unite with family and friends, travel to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, or get started on holiday shopping at various malls throughout the state. Plus, feel free to bring your holiday helpers as kids ride free* the entire long weekend!
NJ TRANSIT will once again offer “early getaway” rail and bus service on Wednesday, November 25, for the benefit of customers leaving work early, and to provide additional capacity for customers traveling to Newark Liberty International Airport. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is typically the busiest day of the year at Newark Airport’s rail station, with ridership levels about twice that of a typical weekday. Customers are urged to purchase their tickets early – round trip preferably – to avoid lines or download NJ TRANSIT’s new App available free at the App Store and Google Play.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 26, NJ TRANSIT will add extra trains and buses to the schedule in the morning and midday hours to accommodate customers traveling to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Then on Friday, November 27, traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year, enhanced bus service will be offered to shopping centers throughout New Jersey and additional trains will operate to and from New York.
NJ TRANSIT customer service representatives and volunteers will be deployed at major facilities throughout the holiday weekend to assist customers with their travels.
For complete schedule and fare information, customers may visit njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555.
On Wednesday, November 25, trains will operate on a weekday schedule on all lines with additional “early getaway” service from New York Penn Station, Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal starting at 1 p.m. on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex, Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines. Newark Light Rail, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and River Line Light Rail service will operate on a weekday schedule. Bus schedules vary by route—customers are advised to check their timetables or visit njtransit.com for schedule information. Selected routes will operate on special holiday schedules to match service with ridership demand, including early getaway service from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and on the No. 64 and 68 bus routes from the Hudson River waterfront between noon and 4:30 p.m. to accommodate the heaviest travel, with less frequent service during the traditional rush hour and later in the evening due to lower ridership. Special holiday timetables are available on njtransit.com.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 26, trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule. To accommodate customers traveling to and from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, NJ TRANSIT will add extra trains on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex and Port Jervis lines. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule; Newark Light Rail and River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule. Holiday bus schedules vary by route—bus customers are advised to visit njtransit.com. Selected bus routes will operate extra service to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal for customers traveling to the parade.
Note: Thanksgiving shoppers: Service on the No. 111 bus route from New York to the Jersey Gardens Mall in Elizabeth will begin operating at 8 a.m. Thanksgiving morning, November 26. The No. 40 will operate on a special holiday schedule serving Jersey Gardens all night long. Service on the No. 163, 171, 175 & 770 bus routes to Garden State Plaza in Paramus will operate on a Saturday schedule to serve the mall all day.
On Friday, November 27, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, trains will operate on a modified weekday schedule on all rail lines with additional New York-bound trains between 10 a.m. and noon on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast and Morris & Essex lines. Customers are encouraged to travel early, if possible, when ridership is light. Select morning peak period trains on the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line will not operate on Friday, due to expected light ridership—customers should visit njtransit.com and use the “Station-to-Station Trip Planner” to find trains on Friday. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule. River Line will operate on a weekday schedule. Holiday bus schedules vary by route—customers are advised to visit njtransit.com.
Extra bus service to New Jersey malls
Starting Friday, November 27 and continuing through December 26, NJ TRANSIT will offer additional bus service to major New Jersey shopping destinations to accommodate extended store hours and busy shopping times throughout the day. Throughout the holiday shopping season, extra trips or expanded service will be offered on several bus routes serving malls and shopping centers throughout the state, including Garden State Plaza, IKEA Paramus, Jersey Gardens, Livingston Mall, Harmon Meadow/Mill Creek in Secaucus, Willowbrook Mall, Wayne Towne Center Mall and West Belt Mall.
*Kids ride free on NJT
For the Thanksgiving holiday, NJ TRANSIT’s Family Super Saver Fare, which allows up to two children 11 and younger to travel free with each fare-paying adult, will be in effect from 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 25 until 6 a.m. Monday, November 30.
As Garden State residents prepare for winter driving conditions, they’re still likely to encounter roads and bridges in continued need of repair, having been ravaged by time, the elements, and insufficient funding. One proposal for addressing our state’s infrastructure needs involves raising the gas tax, which is currently among the lowest in the nation (14.5 cents per gallon). The most recent statewide survey of adults from Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind finds that support for raising the gas tax has increased slightly since January, but so too have doubts that any money raised would be used for its intended purpose. Politicker Staff, PolitickerNJRead more
NJ Poll: Voters Tell Legislators To Keep Their Hands Off The Gas Tax
November 14, 2015 11:45 AM By David Madden
HAMDEN, CT (CBS) – With the general election now in the rear view mirror, New Jersey politicians are expected to take up a number of unpopular issues.
Tops on that list is a bid to increase the state’s gasoline tax. A new poll of Garden State voters suggests drivers want that levy left alone.
The Quinnipiac poll back in April found half of those surveyed might support an increase to help pay for road repair and such. That was the first time in eleven years the number got that high, according to pollster Mickey Carroll.
This latest poll, taken after the November Third general election, showed that support was short lived.
“People don’t like it 62 to 35,” Carroll told KYW Newsradio. “But legislators who have to decide what to do with a nearly bankrupt Transportation Trust Fund are said to be going for it.”
State, congressional leaders announce plan to fund the project
By ANDREW TANGEL And
HEATHER HADDON
Nov. 11, 2015 9:00 p.m. ET
An emerging plan to dig two new Hudson River rail tunnels came into sharper focus on Wednesday as state and congressional leaders outlined a plan to fund and manage the project.
Under an agreement announced late Wednesday, the project would be managed by a subsidiary of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. That development corporation would be overseen by a four-member board including two representatives of the bistate agency and one each from Amtrak and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who announced the deal with two U.S. senators, jointly control the authority.
“Our shovels are ready,” Mr. Cuomo said in an interview. “Literally, if you don’t build this tunnel, you would greatly imperil train service.”
Anthony Coscia, Amtrak’s chairman, said the agreement among state and federal leaders marked an encouraging step for Amtrak’s broader Gateway project. “It’s going to be a real turning point,” he said.
The national passenger railroad has struggled to fund big projects, and has warned of a transportation crisis if it must shut down one of its aging two current tunnels between New York and New Jersey.
It remains unclear how the local, state and federal governments will fund the tunnel project in an era of tight budgets. The project is part of the Gateway plan, which early estimates suggest could cost $15 billion to $20 billion.
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