The following are links to a selection of transportation-related articles published recently by newspapers in the northern New Jersey region. This page is updated on at least a bi-weekly basis. Please note that links on this page may expire or be unreliable due to changes made by host newspapers.
As of May 6, 2013
Light Rail Proponents Present Case for Englewood Stops
Englewood Patch, 5/6/13. New Jersey Transit announced last week that due to impassioned opposition from both public officials and residents of Tenafly, it would be scrapping plans to extend its Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line into that community and would instead consider terminating its proposed light rail extension at Englewood Hospital. The possibility that NJ Transit would weigh an alternative option pitched last year by Englewood officials encouraged Mayor Frank Huttle, who called it a "major development," for the city.
Work Begins Repaving Route 27
South Brunswick Patch, 5/6/13. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) began regional resurfacing and roadway repair last week on Route 27 in the South Brunswick area. The $5.7 million project will mill and repave sections of asphalt and concrete roadway on two other highways, in addition to Route 27, in Middlesex and Somerset counties. Work on Route 27 will be performed in both directions from Vliet Road (milepost 8.6) at the border of South Brunswick and Franklin, to north of Evelyn Avenue (milepost 10.76) at the border of North Brunswick and Franklin.
New Jersey Named Top 10 State For Cyclists
Point Pleaant Patch, 5/6/13. For the second straight year, The League of American Bicyclists has named New Jersey one of the 10 friendliest states for cyclists. The league, a national bicycling advocacy group, ranks all fifty states for bicycle friendliness based on a variety of characteristics including legislation and enforcement, programs and policies, infrastructure, education and encouragement, and evaluation and planning.
Will Gas Prices Continue To Benefit Tourism?
NJ 101.5, 5/6/13. The gas price picture continues to look rosy as the summer driving season approaches.
Amtrak to receive $30.2 million for Northeast Corridor repairs associated with Hurricane Sandy
Progressing Railroading, 5/6/13. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will provide $30.2 million to Amtrak to repair damage caused by Hurricane Sandy along the heavily-traveled Northeast Corridor (NEC), U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced on Friday. Funded by the federal Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, the grant will reimburse Amtrak for $20.1 million spent to pump water from tunnels and remove debris, as well as to complete ongoing infrastructure repairs to continue operating more than 2,000 trains along the NEC each day. The balance of the grant will cover repairs to the East Tunnel that connects Manhattan and Queens, the North River Tunnel that connects New Jersey and New York City, and other facilities.
Where's my train? New monitors at N.Y. Penn Station have the answer
Star-Ledger, 5/6/13. NEW YORK — The confusing maze that is New York Penn Station becomes a little more manageable today when NJ Transit implements new display screens that list train destinations alphabetically and show the track number and next departure time.
Bill Aims to Eliminate Double Dangers of Driving While Diabetic
NJ Spotlight, 5/6/13. The symptoms of diabetic shock can be easily mistaken for intoxication, which can put diabetic drivers in a doubly life-threatening situation when behind the wheel.
Road Warrior: Tree cutting leaves North Jersey roads looking bare
The Record, 5/5/13. While traveling along Routes 20, 4 and 208 last month, some readers began wondering if they were driving through a logging camp.
Livingston to Celebrate National Train Day with a Free Express Shuttle Trip for New Riders
Alternative Press, 5/5/13. LIVINGSTON, NJ - In honor of National Train Day (Sat, May 11), the Livingston Express Shuttle is offering new riders a free ride to and from the South Orange train station, on Fri, May 10.
Road Warrior: Optimism won't bring trolleys to Bergen
The Record, 5/3/13. For anyone who thinks extending the Hudson trolley system into Bergen County will make our crowded highways drivable again, don't be too worried about NJ Transit's capitulation this week to Tenafly, a town that wants no part of trolleys.
Amtrak to get $30.2M in federal aid for Sandy repairs, flooded train tunnels
Star-Ledger, 5/3/13. Amtrak is getting $30.2 million in federal disaster aid for damage caused by Hurricane Sandy along the Northeast Corridor, including reimbursement for pumping seawater from flooded rail tunnels under the Hudson River.
Feds Give Amtrak $30 Million for Northeast Corridor Sandy Rebuilding
WNYC, 5/3/13. Amtrak is getting reimbursed for the $20 million it spent pumping water out of flooded train tunnels during Sandy and additional money to fix infrastructure damaged in the storm.
Morris County towns net $5.2 million for road improvements
Star-Ledger, 5/3/13. Twenty-five Morris County towns will split up approximately $5.2 million in grants for street, safety and quality-of-life improvements, the Department of Transportation said in a news release Thursday.
Grant Funding Makes Transportation Available for Madison Seniors
Alternative Press, 5/3/13. MADISON, NJ — The Investors Foundation has awarded a $35,000 grant to the Friends of the Madison Senior Center. Matching funds from the Borough of Madison have enabled the organization to acquire a van that provides free transportation to senior citizens in Madison. The van, which operates five days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is a service of the Madison Senior Center, a volunteer-run program that provides a wide variety of free services for Madison seniors. These include advocacy services, health screenings, and recreational activities. The Center hosts frequent guest speakers on topics such as phone scams, computer technology, and tax preparation.
LUMBERVILLE: Pedestrian Bridge reopens
The Beacon, 5/3/13. LUMBERVILLE, PA – The Lumberville-Raven Rock Toll-Supported Pedestrian Bridge reopened for public use shortly before 3 p.m. today, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission announced today.
State Transportation Grants To Benefit Howell
Howell Patch, 5/3/13. Howell Township is scheduled to receive state grant money for infrastructure improvements, as part of a $7.2 million state grant disbursment to towns throughout New Jersey. Howell is among 36 Monmouth County towns sharing in the $7,247,432 pot of local aid grants targeting “street, safety and quality-of-life’’ improvements, according to a DOT release.
***NJTPA Mention***
Workshop Invites Input About Region’s Future
NJToday.net, 5/2/13. NEWARK - Together North Jersey, Essex County, the City of Newark, and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) invite members of the public to share their ideas about “Where are we now?” and “Where are we headed?” at an upcoming workshop to be held on Thursday, May 9, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Campus Center Atrium, University Heights, 150 Bleeker Street, Newark.
NJ Could Get Help Cleaning up Its Act With Fuels for Alternative Vehicles
NJ Spotlight, 5/2/13. It may only be in fits and starts, but New Jersey seems to be slowly becoming more appreciative of the benefits of alternative transportation fuels.
Long Branch approves year-round shuttle bus service
Star-Ledger, 5/2/13. LONG BRANCH – Thanks to a little bit of vision – and a lot of federal money – residents and visitors can leave their cars behind when visiting several Long Branch destinations.
Belleville exit off Route 21 reopens ahead of schedule
Belleville Times, 5/2/13. New Jersey Department of Transportation officials have announced that the Route 21 northbound Exit 6 ramp for Route 7/Belleville/North Arlington has been reopened to traffic, several weeks earlier than originally planned.
Rail removal along 'highline' remains a mystery
South Bergenite, 5/2/13. Norfolk Southern Corp. railroad officials said they will be looking into rail lines that have been cut out and taken along its property on what is now an unofficial walking trail that runs adjacent to Erie Avenue from the Passaic River underneath the Maple Street bridge.
Jersey City Gets First Permanent Bike Lanes
Jersey City Independent, 5/1/13. Jersey City now has its first permanent striped bike lanes, city officials announced.
***NJTPA Mention***
Second Public Meeting to Determine Public Transit Plan for Liberty State Park Set
Jersey City Independent, 5/1/13. A second public meeting for the Liberty State Park Circulator Cost-Benefit Analysis will be held next week. The May 9th meeting is part of the city’s ongoing study to find the easiest mode of mass transit to help visitors access the park’s destinations.
Route 35 over Cheesequake Creek to be restored by summer
Suburban, 5/1/13. Route 35 will be restored to carrying two lanes in each direction on the drawbridge over Cheesequake Creek connecting Old Bridge and Sayreville in Middlesex County, following the completion of major rehabilitation efforts on the northbound structure.
Report: $21B Price Tag to Fix NJ's Deteriorating Transportation Infrastructure
Wall Patch, 5/1/13. New Jersey needs to find a new way to fund its transportation infrastructure. That recommendation is one of many in a wide-ranging report, “Facing Our Future,’’ which says the state has to spend $70 billion to fix its aging infrastructure. That is including $21.3 billion to upgrade its roads, highways, bridges, and mass transit system.
Installation of new footbridge linking Jersey City’s downtown to Liberty State Park to begin
Hudson Reporter, 4/30/13. JERSEY CITY – The city announced Tuesday that work will soon begin on the installation of a new footbridge between Jersey City’s downtown community and Liberty State Park.
Train like a plane: It could be the future on the Northeast Corridor
Star-Ledger, 4/30/13. Imagine hopping on a train in New York and arriving in Boston 84 minutes later, about the same time as a plane trip. Or getting to Washington, D.C., in 96 minutes — without ever having to leave the ground.
New Signs Will Warn NJ Drivers To Stop Driving Distracted
WOBM, 4/30/13. With distracted driving continuing to cause many accidents on Garden State roads, some fatal, the New Jersey Assembly has passed legislation dubbed Nikki’s Law, which calls for signs to be posted.
Long Branch takes step toward Transit Village
Asbury Park Press, 4/30/13. LONG BRANCH — The city has in place what it believes is the proper zoning to get a Transit Village designation from the state that would allow for a variety of mixed uses in the area of the railroad station.
Can New Jersey possibly be the safest state? Believe it
Star-Ledger, 4/30/13. Between the Jimmy Hoffa rumors, the toxic waste jokes and the cloud of incipient road rage hanging over our highways, New Jersey hardly seems very safe. Yet the other 49 states can step aside for this important announcement: We’re the safest state in the nation.
As of April 29, 2013
Podcast: Facing Our Future
NJ Spotlight, 4/29/13. What will it take to bring New Jersey's transportation infrastructure, power grid, and water systems (for both drinking water and sewage treatment) into the 21st century? How about $70 billion?
***NJTPA Mention***
Public forum to discuss future development of North Jersey
Jersey Journal, 4/29/13. Hudson County residents interested in the future development of the North Jersey region can have their voices heard at a public forum on Wednesday at Hudson County Community College’s North Hudson campus in Union City, officials said.
Pascack Valley Rail Line to pilot ticketing app for smart phones
Pascack Valley Community Life/The Record, 4/29/13. Riders on the Pascack Valley Line now have the option of using their smart phones to purchase tickets, according to NJ Transit. MyTix, a smart phone application, is being piloted exclusively on NJ Transit's Meadowlands and Pascack Valley lines and will give customers the ability to purchase and display tickets from their phones, according to an April 25 press release issued by the agency. "The ultimate goal is to put this technology into the hands of all our customers," Transportation Commissioner and NJ Transit Board Chairman James Simpson said. "We are testing mobile ticketing as part of NJ Transit's ongoing effort to tap into the latest technology to improve the overall experience for our customers."
Our infrastructure isn’t ready for climate change; Commentary: We need to spend $3.6 trillion to upgrade, modernize
Market Watch, 4/29/13. SANTA CLARA, Calif. (MarketWatch) — Recently, the American Society of Civil Engineers released its latest Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, a measure of the condition, capacity, and maintenance of the nation’s vital systems, accounting for their ability to meet future needs and ensure public safety and health. ow did we fare? D+. That composite grade includes things like our energy systems (D+), drinking water systems (D), waterways and levees (D-), roads (D), schools, (D), transit (D) and on and on. The brightest spot was a B- for how we deal with solid waste.
Madison Square Garden should move to make way for roomier N.Y. Penn Station, planners say
Star Ledger, 4/28/13. At New York Penn Station, the hemisphere’s busiest transit hub, Madison Square Garden occupies the penthouse and rail riders get the dingy basement. But the cellar-dwellers are ready to emerge from the darkness. As the New York City Planning Commission and City Council consider whether to renew the 50-year permit that allowed the Garden to operate on top of Penn Station, the three transit agencies that use the station below — including NJ Transit and Amtrak — are asking for skylights, better signage and improvements to entrances, elevators and taxiway pedestrian access as a condition for renewal
Next Route 35 miracle: Keep traffic moving
Asbury Park Press, 4/27/13. The first “Miracle on Route 35” was clearing tons of debris, 27 buildings and 114 vehicles and watercraft from the road after superstorm Sandy. The second miracle? That could very well be reconstructing the battered highway without interfering with summer tourist traffic.
NJ Transit Looking Ahead, Starts Ticketing By Smartphones
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM, 4/27/13. New Jersey Transit is turning to technology to improve the riding experience for their customers. And perhaps preparing ahead of time for next year’s Super Bowl.
Road Warrior: Motorcycle laws good, but could be better
The Record, 4/26/13. With the weather warming up, April becomes the month when New Jersey motorcycle deaths tend to climb — seven last April and 11 in each preceding April. But not this month.
Road Warrior: Court St. bridge to open but delays linger
The Record, 4/26/13. Although it's named for the old courthouse, a more 21st-century name for Court Street might be the Good News-Bad News bridge.
Traffic signal work to last two weeks in Bernardsville
Bernardsville News, 4/26/13. BERNARDSVILLE – A traffic signal upgrade at Olcott Square will cause some disruptions over the next two weeks but should enhance long-term safety.
Is Dwasline in Clifton safe for pedestrians?
Clifton Journal, 4/25/13. CLIFTON – Approximately 60 residents joined a City councilman last Friday on a walk along Dwasline Road, which has been called unsafe by some. The residents and Councilman Matt Ward walked the Rosemawr section road to investigate the need and feasibility of constructing sidewalks along the idyllic neighborhood street where a pedestrian was run-over and killed by a motorist a decade ago.
Tax electric cars by the mile? Bill would do just that
Asbury Park Press, 4/26/13. TRENTON — Drivers who buy an electric car to beat the price of gasoline won’t beat the tax man, if one lawmaker has his way.
Interactive Map: New Jersey’s Deficient Bridges
NJ Spotlight, 4/26/13. One in four New Jersey bridges is in poor condition or inadequate to handle modern traffic loads, according to an analysis of National Bridge Inventory data.
***NJTPA Mention***
Two-way traffic around the Green, Speedwell bike lanes, six-story “core” zone among Morristown Moving Forward proposals.
MorristownGreen.com, 4/26/13. Move over, Buddy. Statues of the famed guide dog and Seeing Eye founder Morris Frank could be moved out of harm’s way–a traffic island near the Morristown Green–onto a sidewalk “woonerf” if planners get their way.That’s among a pile of proposals from Thursday’s wrap-up to the week-long Morristown Moving Forward exercise.
HUNTERDON: Pieces of pedestrian bridge donated to museum
The Beacon, 4/25/13. To the naked eye, they may be two worn pieces of steel from a scenic pedestrian bridge that connects Pennsylvania and New Jersey across the Delaware River. But for the Roebling Museum in Florence, two steel bridge components from the Lumberville-Raven Rock toll-supported bridge are the archival equivalent of gold.
NJ Transit rolls out mobile ticketing application
The Record, 4/25/13. Rail commuters who use NJ Transit’s Pascack Valley Line will be the first to test a new smart phone application that lets customers purchase tickets on their mobile devices.
Smartphones to become tickets and vending machines on NJ Transit; MY Tix app could go system-wide by end of 2013
MyCentralJersey.com, 4/25/13. NEWARK Tired to waiting on line to buy NJ Transit tickets? Your smartphone is about to become a ticket vending machine and your ticket. NJ Transit officials are testing the My Tix app on the Pascack Valley line, with the intent to have it running for all NJ Transit rail, bus and light rail lines by the end of the year, said Nancy Snyder, spokeswoman. That would have the mobile ticket app ready in time for the 2014 Super Bowl in the Meadowlands, which some have dubbed the “mass transit Super Bowl” because of anticipated transit use between events in New Jersey and New York. “Our goal is to have it available on all lines by the end of 2013. The pilot is three months long,” she said.
***NJTPA Mention***
Bergen County residents tell regional planning group: 'We want better transit'
NJ.com, 4/25/13. PARAMUS — Less traffic. More transit. Less crime. More jobs. These are some of the things residents want to change over about Bergen County over the next 30 years.
Port Authority planning its first new bridge since 1930s
Asbury Park PRess, 4/25/13. NEW YORK — Port Authority commissioners approved a $2.8 billion construction program on Wednesday to build its first new bridge since the George Washington Bridge in the early 1930s.
Interactive Map: New Jersey’s Deficient Bridges; Annual report lists 25 percent in poor condition or not built to handle 21st century traffic.
NJ Spotlight, 4/25/13. One in four New Jersey bridges is in poor condition or inadequate to handle modern traffic loads, according to an analysis of National Bridge Inventory data. Of almost 6,600 bridges included in the 2012 inventory, 9.3 percent were rated structurally deficient, meaning they are in deteriorated condition or the waterway opening under the bridge is insufficient. Another 16.3 percent are considered functionally obsolete, indicating they do not meet current standards for lane and shoulder widths or vertical clearances or they occasionally flood. These ratings do not mean the bridges are unsafe, according to federal highway officials, but that they need rehabilitation, repair or replacement
Port Authority Plans Major Overhaul For Goethals, Bayonne and Outerbridge Crossing
NJTV, 4/24/13. With that vote, the Port Authority Board of Commissioners gave the green light to move forward with what they describe as an historic bridge construction program that will improve three bridges that connect New Jersey and New York — the Goethals, Bayonne and Outerbridge Crossing.
***NJTPA Mention***
Bergen Community College to host public workshop for regional planning group
Star-Ledger, 4/24/13. PARAMUS — Residents can give their input Wednesday on how northern New Jersey should develop.
New Road-Route 1 Jughandle Upgrade Could be Finished by June
South Brunswick Patch, 4/24/13. Work to upgrade one of the major problem areas on Route 1 in South Brunswick is nearing completion.
***NJTPA Mention***
Morristown planners aim for delicate balancing act this week
MorristownGreen.com, 4/23/13. How do you preserve neighborhoods while promoting growth in a town that measures just three square miles?
Digging a Deeper Hole: Failure to Fund Infrastructure Exacerbates Long-Term Fiscal Crisis
NJ Spotlight, 4/23/13. How bad is New Jersey’s fiscal prognosis?
Bike Fair aims to encourage biking, safety
Daily Targum, 4/23/13. Looking to educate students on the benefits and logistics of biking around campus, the Graduate Student Association organized its second annual Bike Fair yesterday on the College Avenue campus.
Peer Pressure Prevents Risky Teen Driving Habits
WOBM, 4/23/13. Teen drivers are still texting behind the wheel when they’re by themselves, but a new study says having friends in the car significantly reduces the dangerous habit.
As of April 22, 2013:
***NJTPA Mention***
Morristown starts ‘Moving Forward’ on master plan, April 22-25
Morristown Green, 4/22/13. Can pedestrians, cyclists and motorists safely co-exist in bustling Morristown? As the town grows, and parking lots become apartment buildings, will everyone have enough elbow room? You can add your two cents starting tonight, April 22, 2013, at 5:30 pm at the Hyatt Morristown. Morristown Moving Forward, a projected funded by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, will be soliciting public suggestions all week on how to improve the town’s zoning master plan.
Report: $21B Price Tag to Fix NJ's Deteriorating Transportation Infrastructure
NJ Spotlight, 4/22/13. New Jersey needs to find a new way to fund its transportation infrastructure. That recommendation is one of many in a wide-ranging report, “Facing Our Future,’’ which says the state has to spend $70 billion to fix its aging infrastructure, including $21.3 billion to upgrade its roads, highways, bridges, and mass transit system.
Traffic Lights On, Speed Limits Up on Rt. 35
Point Pleasant Patch, 4/22/13. In a small sign of normalcy following Route 35's reopening after surrounding neighborhoods were hard hit by Superstorm Sandy at the end of October, traffic signals are no longer blinking amber and red.
Beekman Road and Route 27 Intersection Project Nearing Completion
South Brunswick Patch, 4/22/13. At long last, the improvement project for the Beekman Road and Route 27 intersection is finally nearing completion.
***NJTPA Mention***
Bike training event promotes fun, safety, confidence
NJ Herald, 4/21/13. BYRAM — For some people, learning to pedal a bicycle for the first time seems to come as naturally as the daffodil and tulip petals that mark the start of spring.Now in its third year, the "Bike Right — Learn to Ride" program at the township municipal building drew 16 children and their families. Most of the kids, like Alexa, had only ever ridden with training wheels prior to Sunday, if at all. Trans Options, the sponsor of Sunday's event, typically holds several of these bike training sessions in the spring — and not just for children, Lappitt said. The organization also conducts other events throughout the year oriented around the themes of environmental education and sustainability, for which funding is provided by a mix of private and public sources. Government funding also is provided through the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.
Get the wheels rolling
Hudson Reporter, 4/21/13. The Hoboken City Council voted unanimously at their meeting Wednesday to allow a New York-based bike-sharing company to begin a pilot program for a period of six months starting in May, making Hoboken one of the first New Jersey municipalities to implement bike-sharing.
New Jersey's antique infrastructure: The cost of doing nothing
Star Ledger Editorial blog, 4/21/13. If New Jersey is a car, then its paint is peeling, the wheels are wobbly and the radio plays only Michael Bolton. The state’s infrastructure — water and sewer, transportation, the electrical grid — is falling apart. We got ourselves into this mess, and it’ll cost around $70 billion to get us back to even. Do nothing, and it only gets more expensive.
The First Mass Transit Super Bowl?
Transportation Nation, WNYC, 4/19/13. While many details are still being worked out for the 2014 Super Bowl, one thing is clear: organizers don't want ticket holders to drive to the Meadowlands, in suburban New Jersey. "We want the vast majority (of attendees) to take rail and bus," said Mary Musca, a VP for the New York-New Jersey Super Bowl Host Committee. "There will be not a lot of onsite parking...private parking will be very, very restricted."
Road Warrior: Time to heed our whining cars
The Record, 4/19/13. How have North Jersey roads been treating your car – and your wallet – lately?
***NJTPA Mention***
What do You Want to Change About Morristown?
Morristown Patch, 4/19/13. Morristown is hosting several events this upcoming week to get public input for the town's Master Plan project.
SEA BRIGHT: BUS SHELTER TO RETURN
RedBankGreen.com, 4/19/13. Before Hurricane Sandy, Sea Bright’s downtown bus shelter, elaborately painted to resemble a typical beach-front bungalow, was one of the little things that gave the shore community an indelible sense of character and charm.
Proposed Long Branch transit village will lead to future development, says mayor
Star-Ledger, 4/19/13. LONG BRANCH - Mayor Adam Schneider believes a rising tide lifts all boats. Along with other city leaders, he hopes a proposed redevelopment around the Long Branch train station will lead to growth in other blighted areas.
State DOT puts the brakes on installation of additional red-light cameras
Star-Ledger, 4/19/13. NEWARK — The state is putting a stop to any new red-light cameras.
Sussex Borough residents not sold on Rt. 23 project
New Jersey Herald, 4/18/13. SUSSEX BOROUGH -- Residents of Sussex Borough and Wantage expressed skepticism Wednesday regarding the long-planned realignment of Route 23 that will finally get under way in about three weeks.
Belmar To Open Ocean Ave. Through 17th Ave. on Friday
Belmar Patch, 4/18/13. Belmar plans to open Ocean Avenue up to 17th Avenue, on Friday, removing barriers from another portion of the oceanfront road packed with construction since Hurricane Sandy.
Safety Upgrades to Seaside Streets Expected by Summer
Brick Patch, 4/18/13. Safety upgrades to three Seaside Heights intersections will make crossing the busy streets easier for pedestrians this summer.
Improvements for busy Lyndhurst intersection at bridge move forward
South Bergenite, 4/18/13. The last remaining easement property needed for Kingsland and Riverside improvements will soon be bought by the township, while county officials initiate a plan to widen the intersections adjacent to the DeJessa Bridge.
New bike racks may soon appear around Glen Ridge
Glen Ridge Voice, 4/18/13. Glen Ridge could be getting some new parking spaces in the near future – but these are for the town's two-wheeled traffic.
Matawan seeks FEMA funds for flood mitigation projects
Independent, 4/18/13. MATAWAN — Borough officials may apply for grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help offset the cost of several flood mitigation projects that are in the works.
Poll: Most NY Metro Residents Like Where They Live, But Worry About Climate Change
WNYC, 4/18/13. Optimism is up in the New York Metropolitan region, led by a surge of good feelings among New York City residents. That's according to a new poll by the Regional Plan Association, which also found that worry is on the rise over climate change and severe weather threats.
Road and utility improvements to commence in No. Brunswick
Sentinel, 4/18/13. NORTH BRUNSWICK — The township’s 2013 road program includes nearly $3.3 million in street and utility improvements to seven municipal roadways.
UPPER FREEHOLD: Committee accepts trail grant
Messenger-Press, 4/17/13. UPPER FREEHOLD — The Upper Freehold Township Committee has accepted a grant to fund the development of a trail from the municipal parking lot to connect with the Union Transportation Trail.
Sires joins special Congressional subcommittee on freight transportation
Jersey Journal, 4/18/13. Rep. Albio Sires (D-08) has been tapped to join a special subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, his office announced today. The subcommittee will seek ways to improve the nation’s freight transportation systems. Members of the subcommittee, named the Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation, were named Tuesday.
NJ Transit Bus Line 68 moves stop at Route 18 and Tices Line
Sentinel, 4/17/13. The NJ Transit number 68 bus line has served the residents of East Brunswick and surrounding towns for more than 30 years. So when the dozens of commuters accessing the line from a stop adjacent to the East Brunswick Transportation Center found out that service there would be discontinued on April 21, they were understandably perturbed.
Milltown will celebrate 125th anniversary of Raritan River Rail Road this weekend
Sentinel, 4/17/13. MILLTOWN — The Milltown Historical Society is holding a special day this weekend to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Raritan River Rail Road.
***NJTPA Mention***
County hosts talks on North Jersey’s future
The Record, 4/17/13. “Where is Bergen County now?” and “Where is it headed?” will be two topics of a meeting aimed at drafting a long range plan for northern New Jersey.
***NJTPA Mention***
Tell us what is IMPORTANT to YOU!
Paramus Post, 4/17/13. Come join the discussion about “Where are we now?” and “Where are we headed?” as Together North Jersey works to develop a regional plan to connect people, places, and potential. Bergen County is hosting Together North Jersey and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) and invites members of the public to share their ideas at an upcoming workshop to be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Bergen Community College, Moses Family Meeting and Training Center, Technical Education Center/TEC Building, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ. This input will be used to develop the long-range plans that will shape the future of northern and central New Jersey.
Transit village proposed for area surrounding Long Branch station
Atlanticville, 4/17/13. LONG BRANCH — The area around the Long Branch train station could be revitalized as a mixed-use district with residential and commercial spaces and pathways to encourage walking and cycling.
New Somerset County ride service offers transportation for seniors, disabled
Messenger Gazette, 4/16/13. Having easy access to affordable transportation is critical to senior citizens and disabled individuals who don’t drive. More than half of all non-drivers age 65 and older and individuals with disabilities are isolated at home largely because travel options are limited, especially in rural and smaller communities. To address the increasing transportation needs of the 65+ senior population and the under-served disabled population, RideWise developed Senior RideWise. This program provides subsidized rides for residents living in Somerset County who are 65 and older, or those with a developmental or physical disability.
New ride service offers transportation for seniors and disabled in Somerset County
Courier News, 4/16/13. Having easy access to affordable transportation is critical to senior citizens and disabled individuals who don’t drive. More than half of all nondrivers age 65 and older and individuals with disabilities are isolated at home largely because travel options are limited, especially in rural and smaller communities.
NJ Transit on heightened security after Boston blasts
The Record, 4/16/13. Additional NJ Transit police – in uniform and in plain clothing – fanned out across the rail system on Monday, elevating its normal level of security in response to explosions in Boston that have left citizens across the nation feeling uneasy.
As of April 15, 2012
SIX-MONTH ROUTE 520 BOTTLENECK TO BEGIN
RedBankGreen.com, 4/15/13. A taxing season begins Monday night for commuters who use Route 520 to get into and out of Red Bank. Following the evening rush, traffic across the twin decks of the bridge over the Swimming River, between Hance Avenue and the Garden State Parkway, will be narrowed from two lanes in each direction to one.
Route 33 ramp to nowhere never opened
Asbury Park Press, 4/15/13. HOWELL — Every day, thousands of drivers pass a 10-year-old exit ramp on Route 33 East at Howell Road they’ve never been allowed to use.
***NJTPA Mention***
Public Forum on Improving North Jersey Today at HCCC
Jersey City Independent, 4/15/13. What can make North Jersey better? If you have some ideas, Together North Jersey, is holding a public workshop today to discuss the future of the region.
Reminder: Newman Springs Road Traffic Shift Begins Monday Night
Red Bank Patch, 4/14/13. A traffic shift will begin on Monday evening while construction on the Newman Spring Road bridge which connects Red Bank and Tinton Falls continues.
'Open-road' tolling won't be EZ on drivers
Star Ledger, 4/14/13. I have seen the future and it stinks. I’m talking about the future that awaits us if the people who run the roads and bridges in this country get their wish. They envision a system in which the government can snap a picture of your license plate just about wherever you drive — and charge you accordingly. So-called "open-road" tolling is already in effect in some states. It’s like our E-ZPass system but with an added wrinkle: You no longer have the option of paying cash at a booth. If you don’t have a transponder, a camera takes a picture of your plate. Then you get a bill in the mail for the toll plus a "service fee."
Opinion: Subway to Secaucus
The Record, 4/14/13. MIKE BLOOMBERG may be wrong about soda, but he is a visionary when it comes to mass transit. The New York City mayor wants the No. 7 subway line extended from Manhattan to Secaucus. Last week the Bloomberg administration released a report that studied the benefits of bringing the New York City subway system into New Jersey. The benefits should be obvious to all. The metropolitan region is in dire need of additional trans-Hudson tunnels. The existing tunnels are aging and are at capacity. The ARC tunnel project that would have created new trans-Hudson tunnels solely for NJ Transit was killed by Governor Christie. Nothing has been approved to replace that project.
Letter: Ward A needs better mass transit services
Jersey Journal, 4/13/13. ...I regard Jersey City, the second largest city in New Jersey, as part of the pantheon of failed cities throughout the state. Taxpayers, voters, and residents in Greenville have to contend with crime, lack of stores, absentee slumlords, poorly performing schools, and horrible bus service. Residents should be given tax breaks like the sweetheart deals given to real estate developers for residing in Greenville. I see absolutely no correlation between my tax dollars and quality of life. The Bergen Avenue bus is a prime example of poor public transportation. The service has been horrible for years.
DOT denies request for Byram meeting
NJ Herald, 4/13/13. BYRAM — Any optimism that Byram residents had for a meeting with the New Jersey Department of Transportation quickly faded. According to Mayor Jim Oscovitch, the deputy commissioner of the DOT denied Byram's request to have a public meeting to inform residents and businesses about why the construction for Route 206 is taking so long. Oscovitch said that the township has urged the DOT to reconsider its denial of the meeting. Originally scheduled to take two years to complete, the $18.3 million project has now run into year four.
NJ proposes $3.8B for 2014 transportation upgrades
The Record/Associated Press, 4/12/13. NEWARK, N.J. — New Jersey transportation officials proposed a $3.8 billion capital program Friday for the 2014 fiscal year. The proposed budget allocates $2.6 billion in New Jersey Department of Transportation projects and $1.2 billion to New Jersey Transit. The budget focuses on maintaining existing assets and promoting programs to ease congestion. It also includes grant funding for local transportation projects, so that local governments can undertake upgrades without taxpayers being asked to fund them.
SeaStreak ferry in January accident back in service
Asbury Park Press, 4/12/13. SeaStreak Wall Street, the ferry that struck Pier 11 in New York in early January, injuring 83 passengers, returned to regular commuter service Thursday morning after undergoing repairs.
Crescent Road Bridge project moving forward in West Milford
Aim West Milford, 4/11/13. It has been a long time in coming but action to replace the Crescent Road Bridge in the Gordon Lakes West development is now moving forward.
ZIP codes can make or break your car insurance rate
The Record, 4/11/13. Your ZIP code is more than just a status symbol; it can also save - or cost- you money when it comes to car insurance. A newly released analysis of New Jersey auto insurance data examines the impact a driver's ZIP code has on his or her car insurance.
Port Authority project should not impact GWB approach, officials say
Northern Valley Suburbanite, 4/11/13. ALPINE — The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey will begin work on the Palisades Interstate Parkway Helix Ramp to the George Washington Bridge sometime in mid-2014, during which a temporary ramp and detours will replace the ramp.
How is NJ Transit spending Sandy funds? Answer can be found online
Asbury Park Press, 4/11/13. How will $81 million in contracts be spent that NJ Transit’s board approved Wednesday? Taxpayers and riders will get those answers from a new website designed to let them track how superstorm Sandy repair and resiliency funds are being spent and progress on that work through construction.
NJ Transit to pay $28.5M to fix 11 locomotives damaged by Sandy
Star Ledger, 4/10/13. NJ Transit will spend up to $28.5 million to repair 11 dual-powered locomotives — capable of operating on either electric power or diesel fuel — that were damaged during Hurricane Sandy.
Two Jersey City residential developments awarded millions in state tax credits
Jersey Journal, 4/10/13. Jersey City officials are cheering the news that two high-profile residential projects will receive a total of $66 million in tax credits via the state Economic Development Authority. One of the projects, a three-tower development just outside the PATH station in Journal Square, is one city officials hope will lead a long-awaited resurgence in the heart of the city.
Plan to extend No. 7 subway from NYC to New Jersey could be back on track
Star-Ledger, 4/10/13. Traveling by subway from Secaucus to the Mets' Citi Field may resurface as a possibility.
Revived: Idea To Send NYC Subway Line To New Jersey
Transportation Nation/WNYC, 4/10/13. (New York, NY – WNYC) The Bloomberg Administration is saying it’s still a good idea to extend the 7 subway train from the west side of Manhattan to a major transit hub in Secaucus, New Jersey. The project seemed dead a year ago, when then-chairman of the NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority Joe Lhota said it would not be built “in anybody’s lifetime.” But Lhota resigned last December to run for mayor. Now comes a city-commissioned report that essentially says the project is worth doing. The issue is urgent because rush hour train service between New York and New Jersey is already over-crowded — and expected to grow by 38 percent by 2030. The report says a subway line under the Hudson River could carry 128,000 riders per day on 30 extra trains per hour. And the extension would create a quick 16-minute ride from Grand Central Terminal to Secaucus and its nine commuter train lines.
Survey: NJ Transit's customer ratings improving
Associated Press, 4/9/13. NEWARK — New Jersey's first rider survey in the wake of Superstorm Sandy shows improved customer satisfaction with the agency.
Despite Sandy disruption, NJ Transit gets better grades in customer survey
Star-Ledger, 4/9/13. With numerous train routes canceled or shortened after Hurricane Sandy washed out tracks and damaged locomotives, NJ Transit officials were bracing for poor marks on the statewide transportation agency’s latest customer survey. But if the latest survey results are an indication, NJ Transit rail riders are either a patient or forgiving lot.
Rutherford Green Team asking town to implement Complete Streets policy on Orient Way
South Bergenite, 4/9/13. The Rutherford Green Team is asking the town to rethink the road revamp on Orient Way scheduled to begin this spring. Green Team officials are recommending the council follow the recommendations of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Pedestrian and Bike Study and the town's Complete Streets resolution to put the notoriously wide road on a "diet" by striping bike lanes, medians and more visible crosswalks.
Amtrak ridership reaches record level in March
Associated Press, 4/9/13. NEW YORK - Amtrak says ridership has increased in the first six months of fiscal year 2013, with ridership in March setting a record as the single best month ever in Amtrak's history.
As of April 8, 2013
Kearny plans to reconstruct two roadways, including critical Central Avenue
Jersey Journal, 4/8/13. Kearny is planning projects to reconstruct two roadways, including one South Kearny thoroughfare officials say is critical to attracting new businesses and tax ratables to the town.
West Milford awards construction contract for streetscape project
Suburban Trends, 4/8/13. The local government took a critical step toward beating the grant deadline for its streetscape project last week.
Rail boarding changes announced this week at 17 NJ Transit stations
Star-Ledger, 4/8/13. NJ Transit has announced rail boarding changes this week at 17 stations in five counties as it does routine maintenance and track work, including the replacement of railroad ties.
**NJTPA Mention**
Group Wants Public Input on New Jersey's Future
Lacey Patch, 4/7/13. Members of the public are invited to share their views on how New Jersey's communities and economy can continue to grow. Ocean County, Together North Jersey and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority want to hear what locals think about current conditions and where things are heading during a meeting on Thursday, April 11 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Toms River's Ocean County Library branch.
Route 22 traffic lights to be synchronized to relieve congestion on clogged 13-mile stretch
Star-Ledger, 4/7/13. Motorists on Route 22 in Union and Somerset counties are going green.
$75.9 Million in Federal Aid to Rebuild Route 35
Point Pleasant Patch, 4/6/13. New Jersey will receive more than $75.9 million in federal funding to repair and reconstruct more than 12 miles of State Route 35 in Ocean County seriously damaged by Hurricane Sandy, U.S. Democratic Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez announced Friday.
Road Warrior: 10-year pothole nightmare to end
The Record, 4/5/13. It took nearly a decade, but the crumbling path leading to one of the symbols of American fiscal policy is about to lose its distinction as North Jersey's most chronically neglected short street. Stanley Street in East Rutherford – the one-block stretch of rubble bordering the Federal Reserve complex on Route 17 south – will soon get a long-delayed face-lift.
Consensus to Proceed With Route 23 Realignment Project
Alternative Press, 4/5/13. SUSSEX, NJ – Talks continued Tuesday night at the council meeting of Sussex Borough over updates to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Route 23 Realignment Project affecting Sussex roadways, and properties of borough residents.
Parking garage extension up for approval
The Setonian, 4/4/13. An extension will be added to the parking garage, once plans are approved, to create 500 extra parking spaces, according to Vice President of Administration Dennis Garbini and Associate Vice President of Facilities and Operations John Signorello.
The Future is Going to Happen, but How Will NJ Fund It?
Mobilizing the Region, 4/4/13. “The future is going to happen.” That was NJDOT Commissioner Jim Simpson’s response when asked how New Jersey is going to fund transportation in the years following the expiration of Governor Christie’s 5-Year Capital Program.
http://www.njfuture.org/2013/04/04/forum-ports/
Future Facts Blog, 4/4/13. Robert Powell Ph.D., managing director at Nassau Capital Advisors LLC, introduced the Ports and Redevelopment session at New Jersey Future’s annual Redevelopment Forum by reminding attendees that port development depends not just on the facilities of the port itself but also on land-based facilities related to warehousing and distribution.
Stunning Video of Mantoloking Breach, Reconstruction Effort
Brick Patch, 4/4/13. Arora and Associates, a Lawrenceville-based consulting civil and structural engineering firm, released a video Wednesday that contains stunning footage of the Mantoloking breach created by Superstorm Sandy.
NJ Transit chief says rail cars moved to low-lying Meadowlands facility just before Sandy flooding
The Record, 4/4/13. NJ Transit Executive Director Jim Weinstein acknowledged publicly on Wednesday that the agency actually moved rail cars and locomotives into its flood-prone Meadowlands rail yard for storage just before the yard was inundated by superstorm Sandy's floodwaters in October. The move resulted in millions in flood damage to the rail equipment.
NJ transportation head, senator duel over financing plans
The Record, 4/4/13. Legislators on Wednesday grilled New Jersey’s transportation chief on Governor Christie’s $3.8 billion transportation budget for 2014, a plan they fear could saddle taxpayers with new debt in exchange for paved roads, reliable train service and bridges that are safe to cross.
More of Belmar's Ocean Ave. Should Reopen in Seven Days, Mayor Says
Belmar Patch, 4/4/13. More access to Ocean Avenue in Belmar could be coming as early as next week. Officials at the local and county level are working to reopen another five blocks of the oceanfront road, Mayor Matt Doherty told Patch last night.
Union City releases letter from Port Authority confirming $2.9 million for road work
Jersey Journal, 4/4/13. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is in the process of providing Union City with about $2.9 million for use in rehabilitating and maintaining approach roadways to the Lincoln Tunnel, officials said.
Glen Ridge, neighboring towns look to make Bloomfield Avenue safer
Glen Ridge Voice, 4/4/13. It’s a little after 7:30 a.m. on Monday in Glen Ridge. George Musser is standing at the corner of Ridgewood and Bloomfield avenues. He’s getting ready to watch traffic – both wheeled and foot.
Commissioner: Winter's been tough on Nutley roads
Nutley Sun, 4/4/13. Potholes are something on just about every driver’s mind - not to mention one of the risks motorists face every day. "This winter has been very bad especially with the fluctuation of temperature," Public Works Commissioner Joseph Scarpelli told the Sun.
NJ Transit Riders Have Reason To Cheer Today
NJ 101.5, 4/4/13. Testifying before the State Senate Budget Committee, NJ Transit executive director Jim Weinstein tells lawmakers his agency’s on-time performance was historic last year and the vast majority of riders are happy with their commutes. Better yet, Weinstein says NJ Transit will not be asking you to dig deeper into your wallet this year.
NJ Transit boss: No fare hike for riders in 2013-14
Star-Ledger, 4/3/13. TRENTON — NJ Transit riders will not see a fare hike for the fiscal year that runs from July 1 to June 30, 2014, the agency’s top official said today.
Bus lane along Route 9 open again in Old Bridge
Suburban, 4/4/13. OLD BRIDGE — The bus lane along the Route 9 corridor in Old Bridge is now open for use. The bus lane, which was created by Township Council resolution in 2003 to encourage commuters to use public transportation and speed up heavy rush-hour traffic, was closed following the collision of two buses at the intersection of Route 9 and Arcade Lane in Old Bridge on Jan. 10.
Denville mulls bridge revamp
Citizen News, 4/3/13. DENVILLE TWP. -- One well-trod bridge in Denville is in need of a little TLC. The Township Council is looking to renovate the Openaki Bridge, a one-lane throughway which acts as a popular route between Denville and Morristown.
Road project trying everyone's patience
Township Journal, 4/3/13. BYRAM — On Dec. 7, 2009, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) announced the start of construction of the safety and improvement project on Route 206 in Byram Township.
Beekman Road will soon become pedestrian-friendly
Sentinel. 4/3/13. SOUTH BRUNSWICK — Different companies will soon present township officials with various designs on safety improvements to two pedestrian crosswalks in town.
Raritan Township leaning away from connecting Autumn Leaf Drive to Route 12
Hunterdon County Democrat, 4/3/13. RARITAN TWP. — In response to strong opposition to linking Autumn Leaf Drive with Route 12, the Township Committee is considering instead creating an emergency-access lane with a locking gate.
Road Warrior: Little hope for fixing 'Exit Hell'
The Record, 4/3/13. If driving too often makes you feel like a lab rat caught in a maze with no exits, you'd be wise to avoid Exit 171 on the northbound side of the Garden State Parkway.
Truck count shows need to offset Bayonne Bridge project, Ironbound group says
Star-Ledger, 4/2/13. A survey of truck traffic through Newark’s Ironbound section last week counted 15 percent more trucks than during the previous count in August 2011, raising concerns that the increased fumes will be a health hazard for children.
Road Closes While Iron Ore Bridge is Replaced
Manalapan Patch, 4/2/13. Iron Ore Road (Route 527a) will be closed between Dey Grove Road and Mount Vernon Road while the bridge is being replaced.
Road Closure, Water Company Upgrades Could Affect Red Bank Traffic
Red Bank Patch, 4/2/13. After a pipe failure in June at the New Jersey American Water treatment plant, the company will be making repairs this week.
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