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TRANSPORTATION

TRANSPORTATION

NJDOT Plans for a $ 900 Million Capital Program in Fiscal 2022

Another $ 300 million in consultant design and inspection agreements is also planned .
By Diane C . Walsh Contributing Editor

The New Jersey Department of Transportation ( NJDOT ) undertook an historic $ 1.23 billion capital program this past fiscal year and Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said another $ 900 million is on the drawing board for Fiscal 2022 .

Gutierrez-Scaccetti gave the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey ( CIANJ ) an overview of her department , the challenges it is facing due to the the pandemic and its plans for the future during a recent virtual conference .
The commissioner encouraged the many engineers and consultants participating in the event to review a special website the NJDOT created about doing business with the government . It details the latest information on contracts , applications , permits , etc . “ We work hard to be inclusive and spread the work around ,” said Gutierrez-Scaccetti . The website is www . state . nj . us / transportation / business .
Along with the capital program , the commissioner said the NJDOT plans to award $ 300 million in consultant design / inspection agreements next year . When asked to name some of the bigger projects , the commissioner pointed to the repaving of Route 9 in Woodbridge ; improvements to Routes 9 and 35 in South Amboy and raising the Garden State Parkway along the Bass River and Mullica River to mitigate flooding .
The American Rescue Plan sent $ 10 billion to the Garden State to combat the effects of COVID‐19 . But Guttierez-Scaccetti said that funding was not targeted for infrastructure
8 COMMERCE www . commercemagnj . com work . Instead , she encouraged the consultants at the conference to focus on the $ 75 million Local Transportation Project Fund in the last state budget , which will finance road projects in the towns and counties .
Guttierez-Scaccetti was named commissioner by Gov . Phil Murphy in 2017 . A New Jersey native , she has more than 30 years of experience in the industry , most of it spent at the New Jersey Turnpike Authority . She left the authority as executive director in 2010 and accepted the job of executive director and CEO at Florida ’ s Turnpike Enterprise . There , she managed more than 460 centerline miles and a five-year capital program in excess of $ 6 billion before she was wooed back to the Garden State .
The NJDOT ’ s mission is to provide a worldclass transportation system that enhances the state ’ s quality of life and supports economic growth while respecting the state ’ s natural resources . To accomplish its goals , the department evolved into a complex operation . For instance , the commissioner explained several agencies , such as the turnpike authority , NJ Transit and the South Jersey Transportation Authority , are “ of not in ” the NJDOT , meaning they are not under her jurisdiction . Yet , she serves as chairman of their boards .
Gutierrez-Scaccetti noted the turnpike authority recently provided funding to NJ Transit , which operates the rail and bus lines . While it may appear counterintuitive , she said it makes sense that the authority would encourage public transit to alleviate congestion on the toll roads . “ We have to make certain the whole system meshes together ,” the commissioner said .
The NJDOT ’ s mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the state ’ s quality of life and supports economic growth while respecting the state ’ s natural resources .
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / andykazie
During a recent virtual conference , NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti briefed CIANJ members on transportation issues in the Garden State .
Through the pandemic the department never shut down . Instead , it initially pivoted to workfrom-home and later instituted a flex schedule with a percentage of the staff reporting to the office each day . The situation prompted more automation , the commissioner said , explaining invoices and estimates can now be submitted and signed electronically . “ We continue to take lessons from the pandemic and move them forward ,” she said .
Guttierez-Scaccetti frequently compliments her staff , saying “ success takes teamwork .” One of her goals is to grow the skill sets of younger staff and help them expand their credentials to move them up in their careers .
She is also trying to be patient with the small percentage of staffers who have refused to return to the office since the pandemic hit . Not all work can be accomplished at home , she said , adding : “ The taxpaying public expects public employees to be where they ’ re supposed to be and that means at work .”
The commissioner said she has been working with the union in her department and hopes her own example will encourage others to return to the office . It is going to take “ time , encouragement , education and patience ,” she said .