Mass Transit Tunnel Project

The NJ TRANSIT Board approved funding today for the final design of the Mass Transit Tunnel project. This was a GREAT move for our State of New Jersey because it will CREATE tens of thousands of jobs, ensure LONG-TERM workforce mobility, and serve as an economic ENGINE for New Jersey and the region for our posterity and us. I had the opportunity to attend this meeting and express my thoughts, cares and concerns pertaining to this Tunnel project. In testifying to the vital importance of this project, which is clearly expressed by other members of the State, I voiced the concern that EVERYONE, regardless of social class, would be afforded the opportunity to work in this project. I also attested to the fact that whatever measures I could take to promote and ensure statewide impartiality, I would do so. Plainly, I want to be sure that both sides be heard so that we can sustain healthy relations. I also applaud the stance of the Board in not allowing New York to dictate the business of our great state, and am striving to maintain healthy, working relations.

Governor Jon Corzine lauded today’s approval and stated, “the importance of this project cannot be overstated in terms of its ability to connect workers to jobs, to strengthen the region’s ability to retain and attract new businesses and, given these very difficult economic times, to immediately create high-paying jobs during years of construction activity.”

Kris Kolluri, NJ TRANSIT Chairman and Transportation Commissioner, stated, “The governor’s steady leadership has kept the Mass Transit Tunnel project advancing during turbulent times, and its one-seat ride and congestion benefits will be felt by commuters and motorists alike for generations. We [NJ TRANSIT] are continuing to work with our congressional delegation to secure federal funding.”

“Today’s action by the Board sets the stage for NJ TRANSIT to move swiftly into final design as soon as the federal government grants approval of the Environmental Impact Statement, which we expect this fall,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles. “We’re on schedule to have shovels in the ground next year.”

Final design is an important milestone because it advances the engineering needed to begin the bidding process for construction of numerous project components starting in 2009. Final design work will follow federal approval of the project. The State of New Jersey, in partnership with The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has committed all but $3 billion, which is being sought from the federal government. The substantial local commitment has helped the project rise toward the top of the nationwide list of projects competing for federal funding.

“Today’s action by the NJ TRANSIT Board moves construction of the mass transit tunnel project one stop closer to reality,” said Port Authority Chairman Anthony Coscia. “Together with our project partner, the Port Authority looks forward to putting shovels in the ground on one of the region’s most important mass transit projects.”

The contract provides funding to The Partnership, a joint venture between Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc., STV Inc., and DMJM Harris Inc. of Newark, to complete preliminary engineering this year and develop a final design for the multi-faceted project in 2009 and 2010. Project elements include two single-track side-by-side commuter rail tunnels across the Hudson River, an expanded New York Penn Station under 34th Street, an equipment maintenance and storage yard in Kearny, and a rail loop at Secaucus Junction that will facilitate transfer-free service between New Jersey and New York for tens of thousands of commuters every day.

Construction is expected to start in the coming year, with rail service starting in 2017. The need for additional commuter rail capacity is obvious, with no room in the pair of existing 100-year-old, single-track trans-Hudson tunnels for any additional trains to accommodate rising peak-period ridership demand. The contract authorizes engineering and design work for up to $124 million, brining the total contract to $214 million.

-Courtesy of Carol Grant