The NJTPA Board of Trustees on July 28 approved its annual Transportation Improvement Program (known as the TIP), a four-year investment agenda of more than $10 billion for 13 counties in northern and central New Jersey.
The FY 2009-2012 TIP, one of the NJTPA’s most important products, authorizes approximately $2.6 billion in FY 2009 for spending on road, bridge, rail, bus and bicycle/pedestrian projects and programs in the 13-county region (see highlighted projects, page 3).
“The TIP represents billions of dollars invested in our region’s infrastructure,” said NJTPA Chairman Susan M. Zellman, a Sussex County Freeholder. “These investments improve regional transportation, and they also do much more by creating jobs, strengthening the economy and helping northern New Jersey maintain its competitive edge in the global marketplace.”
In the FY 2009 program, approximately $1.5 billion in combined state, federal and other funding is designated for road and bridge projects and about $1.1 billion goes to transit. The program addresses key priorities outlined by the NJTPA in its long-range transportation plan for the region. The TIP is developed through collaboration between the NJTPA’s member counties and cities, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, NJ TRANSIT and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.
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NJTPA Chairman Susan Zellman opens the July 28 Board meeting, at which the FY2009-2012 TIP was approved. Seated from left to right are: Morris County Freeholder Gene F. Feyl, Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney, and Somerset County Freeholder Director Peter S. Palmer. |
“First and foremost, this program stresses repair and maintenance of our existing roads, bridges and transit infrastructure,” said Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney, who serves as NJTPA First Vice Chairman and Chairman of the NJTPA’s Project Prioritization Committee, which oversees the TIP’s development each year. “It also contains funding for key transit expansions, intersection improvements and other projects that will help move people and goods more efficiently in our region.” Repair, maintenance and enhancement of road and transit facilities makes up three-quarters of the investments slated for Fiscal Year 2009.
More information about the TIP
Also, once the TIP goes into effect on Oct. 1, project details and maps will be included in NOTIS, the NJTPA’s Online Transportation Information System.
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Here are some key highway, bridge, and transit projects being funded over the next four years in the FY 2009-2012 TIP (see article, above).
- Bergen County
$32.1 million for improvements to Paterson Plank Road in East Rutherford and Carlstadt
- Essex County
$19.7 million for South Orange Avenue traffic, operational and roadway improvements in Maplewood, Millburn, and South Orange
- Hudson County
$91.5 million toward replacement of the Wittpenn Bridge (Route 7), Kearny and Jersey City
- Hunterdon County
$6.6 million for completion of the resurfacing of eight miles of Interstate 78 from east of Tunnel Road to east of Beaver Brook in several municipalities
- Jersey City
$213.3 million for replacement of the St. Paul’s Avenue Viaduct on Route 1&9T in Jersey City
- Middlesex County
$32.8 million for improvements to Route 1 from north of Ryders Lane to south of Milltown Road, North Brunswick
- Monmouth County
$13.7 million for intersection improvements at Route 9 and Craig Road/East Freehold Road, Freehold Township and Manalapan
- Morris County
$18.3 million for improvements to the intersection of Route 206 and County Route 513, Chester
- City of Newark
$23.9 million to rehabilitate the Clifton Avenue and Nesbitt Street bridges over NJ TRANSIT’s Morristown Line
- Ocean County
$31 million for the Route 37 eastbound Mathis Bridge over Barnegat Bay
- Passaic County
$35.8 million for improvements at Route 3, Route 46, Valley Road and Notch/Rifle Camp Road in Little Falls, West Paterson and Clifton
- Somerset County
$85 million for construction of a Route 206 bypass from Mountain View Road to Old Somerville Road, Hillsborough (see photo)
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Traffic backs up on Route 206 near Mountainview Road, where a new bypass will be constructed in Hillsborough, Somerset County. |
- Sussex County
$7 million for improvements to County Route 517 between Route 23 and Route 94 in Hamburg, Hardyston and Vernon
- Union County
$180 million for two new ramps at the Route 78/Garden State Parkway Interchange 142
- Warren County
$22.8 million for resurfacing of Interstate 80 from west of Hope-Johnsonburg Road to east of Ledgewood Avenue in various municipalities
Transit Highlights
- $466.2 million for the Access to the Region's Core (ARC) Tunnel. Another $60 million is going toward the related Portal Bridge project (see photo, left )
- $326.9 million for acquisition of new rail rolling stock to accommodate projected ridership growth and system expansion
- $2.9 million for work on the Lackawanna Cutoff rail expansion in Sussex County
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The two-track Portal Bridge—dating to 1910 and plagued by mechanical problems—operates near capacity during peak periods; this load will increase once ARC is built. The TIP includes funding to replace the bridge, which spans the Hackensack River. |
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What are your thoughts about the future of northern and central New Jersey’s transportation system? What forces do you think will shape our region in the coming decades?
These are among the questions in a new on-line survey launched by the NJTPA through its website (www.njtpa.org). The survey is available in English and Spanish.
The survey is part of the NJTPA’s effort to update its long-range Regional Transportation Plan, looking out to the year 2035. The effort will also include outreach forums this fall in each of the 13 counties and two cities that compose the NJTPA. Participants will take part in “visioning” exercises, including considering future scenarios and funding options, to help guide the plan development. Schedules for the meetings and other events will be announced on the updated Plan 2035 website.
“As we prepare our regional plan, we will have to take into account a changing global economy, rising energy prices, changing demographics and other factors.” said NJTPA Chairman Susan M. Zellman at the July 28 NJTPA Board meeting. “Meeting these challenges and seizing opportunities will call for a regional vision.”
The Plan 2035 update effort was launched with a symposium held on June 26 with presentations by a panel of experts on the economy, environment and transportation. Audio of presentations are available on the website.
The online survey seeks input on many of the issues raised at the symposium.
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The NJTPA has completed an update of its Regional Safety Priorities Study; the study focuses on some of northern and central New Jersey’s most crash-prone local and county roads. As part of the update, 25 site visits were conducted throughout the NJTPA’s 15 subregions. The result: a list of recommendations for improving roadway safety for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, mass transit riders, and truckers.
Collectively, nearly 200 people participated in the site visits, including: members of the NJTPA’s Regional Technical Advisory Committee (RTAC), county and local engineers, local police officers, as well as staff from the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the NJTPA.
The sites where chosen by the NJTPA’s subregions, who were asked to select three locations they considered the highest priorities for visits. In making their choices, subregions considered an NJTPA analysis of data that identified half-mile stretches of roadway which experienced the most significant crash activity. Some of these areas were evaluated using a sophisticated scoring method that considers factors such as crashes per million vehicles, types of crashes, and the severity of the crashes.
Individual reports from the 25 site visits will be available next month at the NJTPA’s website, www.njtpa.org. The reports list a variety of potential safety improvements including road striping, pedestrian count-down lights, crosswalks and improved medians.
Subregions can use the recommendations to create locally funded projects. They can also apply for funding through NJTPA’s Local Safety Program. In July, the NJTPA approved the latest round of projects funded through the program (see next article).
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Participants in the May 7 Regional Safety Priorities Update site visit in Franklin Township, Somerset County gather on the sidewalk to observe traffic. |
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The NJTPA Local Safety Program and the High Risk Rural Roads Program provides funds to counties and municipalities for the improvement of dangerous conditions on county and local roads. A particular focus is placed on vehicular and pedestrian improvements of critical need that can be completed within a short period of time.
The NJTPA Board at its July 28 meeting approved funding for five projects in Fiscal Year 2009 (July 2008-June 2009), totaling $2 million:
Bergen County—Safety Initiatives along Kinderkamack Road in Oradell
Safety improvements include installing pedestrian countdown signals (on existing signals) along several intersections. Other pedestrian safety improvements include new lighted crosswalks with mounted flashers and painted medians. $310,257
Essex County—Park Avenue Corridor—East Orange
Safety improvements include upgrading the traffic signals and pedestrian facilities, including possible dedicated lane changes. $615,000
Hudson County—Improvements to Pedestrian Indicators on CR501/JFK Blvd in Jersey City, North Bergen and Union City
Upgrade all existing pedestrian indicators with more efficient, brighter LED countdown indications. $590,000
Morris County—Safe-T-Grip Application on Schooley's Mountain Road (CR 517) in Washington Township
Apply highly skid-resistant material directly to paved surfaces to reduce braking distance and the likelihood of hydroplaning on wet surfaces at this location known locally as “The Big Turn.” $107,332
Union County—Pedestrian and Vehicular Safety Improvements at the Intersections of Broad St. & Summit Ave. and Springfield Ave. & Summit Ave in Summit
Upgrade intersections and signals, align left-turn lanes, and install countdown pedestrian signal heads with push button activation and high visibility crosswalks. Traffic calming measures will also be implemented to slow traffic and increase driver awareness. $369,639
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The NJTPA Board of Trustees has authorized $537,500 in federal transportation funding to help retrofit some of NJ TRANSIT’s diesel locomotives; they’ll be equipped with devices enabling them to automatically shut down rather than idle for long periods of time.
The measure, approved at the Board’s July 28 meeting, will help reduce fuel consumption, lower emissions, and reduce noise pollution caused by idling train engines. NJ TRANSIT recently committed to the installation of automatic engine stop/start (AESS) units in all 33 of its newest diesel engines.
“Two of the most critical challenges facing every transportation agency today are how to cut down on fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This is a practical investment that will attack both problems head on, and pay for itself several times over in diesel cost savings as the years pass,” said NJTPA Chairman Susan Zellman, who is also a Sussex County freeholder.
Funding for the AESS units will come from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program, which provides financing for projects that reduce congestion and/or pollutants from fossil fuel use. The NJTPA’s Local CMAQ Initiatives Program, included in its Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), devotes $2 million in funding in FY 2009 for regional projects that accomplish these clean air goals.
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More than 30 staff from the NJTPA’s subregions and partner agencies, on July 9 participated in workshops with Central Staff to finalize the latest phase of the NJTPA Strategy Evaluation. The study will serve as part of the foundation for next year's Regional Transportation Plan update. The Strategy Evaluation is periodically conducted to determine how the region's transportation system could be improved to meet residents' needs; it also generates recommendations for specific transportation strategies and programs to benefit the region.
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Joung Lee—a Senior Analyst for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)—conducted a presentation at the NJTPA Board of Trustees’ July 28 meeting, describing key factors that have contributed to the nation’s current transportation crisis.
Lee pointed out that the nation has “systematically underinvested” in its transportation systems despite regional population growth, an expected doubling of freight movement by 2035, and rising highway and transit needs.
Lee highlighted the findings of a report by the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, which he said emphasizes the need for a “clear, comprehensive, well-articulated, and widely understood strategic vision with defined goals.”
Lee also pointed to the need for the authorization of “an entirely revamped surface transportation program,” not simply reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU, the nation’s principal transportation funding law.
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NJTPA’s Regional Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan (CHSTP) final report is now available online.
The CHSTP—required by federal law—augments ongoing efforts by the 13 northern and central New Jersey counties to develop individual local coordination plans for human services transportation.
Human services transportation primarily serves people sometimes identified as “transportation disadvantaged;” these include seniors and disabled persons who do not drive, low-income persons without a reliable way to get to work, and rural residents facing transportation challenges.
The CHSTP final report will be part of the NJTPA’s long-range transportation plan now being developed.
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October 10
Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day
Drivers around the nation
will observe the eighth annual
Put the Brakes on Fatalities
Day on Oct. 10. New Jersey
Motorists are encouraged to
drive exceptionally carefully
so that for at least one day,
there will be no fatalities on
the state's roads.
For more information, visit
www.njsaferoads.com
|
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North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, Inc.
One Newark Center, 17th Floor. Newark, NJ 07102
(201) 639-8400; Fax 639-1953
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