PRESIDENT ’ S VIEW
New Federal Dollars to Fund Infrastructure in New Jersey
By Anthony Russo President , CIANJ
The new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will create millions of jobs , while investing billions of dollars modernizing America ’ s infrastructure .
“ New Jerseyans stand to benefit immensely from unprecedented investments in infrastructure ,” said New Jersey Gov . Phil Murphy after passage of the federal legislation . “ The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill delivers billions of dollars for the Gateway Program , the largest critical infrastructure project in the United States , bringing commuters the relief that they deserve . This also includes significant funding for the expansion of broadband Internet , addressing a key issue that impacts underserved areas of New Jersey and will be a gamechanger for those residing in them .”
New Jersey ’ s transportation and supply chain infrastructure will also get a much-need boost with the cash infusion of these federal dollars .
With “ increased federal funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act , New Jersey will enhance supply chain resiliency by planning for projects that increase the use of alternate modes of freight transportation and further support the strength of New Jersey ’ s economic competitiveness ,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation ( NJDOT ) Commissioner and Chair of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti .
Future projects include the New Jersey Turnpike Authority ’ s Newark-Bay Hudson County Extension roadway widening and reconstruction project allowing for greater capacity of commercial and passenger traffic ; replacement of several bridges including the heavily used Newark Bay Bridge ; and the 2022 revisitation of the NJDOT 2022 Statewide Freight Plan , in which New Jersey will make the movement of goods to and from the ports a key focal point .
“ Since 2011 Port Newark Container Terminal ( PNCT ) has executed infrastructure investments of $ 425 million with $ 400 million of additional projects currently planned . These investments have allowed PNCT to increase terminal capacity by more than 80 percent ,” said Port Newark Container Terminal President and CEO Jim Pelliccio .
According to the global logistics firm Shifl , it is now 25 percent faster for ships from China
to reach the Port of New York and New Jersey than ports on the West Coast , resulting in savings of thousands of miles and weeks of time . New Jersey ’ s ports are busier and more appealing to the international logistics and freight industry than ever before . Port activities support approximately 500,000 jobs in New Jersey and in New York and serve more than 134 million people regionally .
“ In working with our partners at the Port Authority , organized labor and the private sector , New Jersey has avoided the supply chain and logistical breakdowns that much of our country has faced ,” said Gov . Murphy . “ Through a combination of proactive infrastructure investment , collaboration in state government and the help of key partners , the Port of New York and New Jersey is breaking cargo records and getting consumer and commercial products onto trucks and buses headed across America .”
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman Kevin O ’ Toole explained : “ The Port Authority ’ s capital investments in regional infrastructure over the past decade — from the raising of the roadway of our Bayonne Bridge to serve the world ’ s largest container vessels , to the dredging of the area ’ s navigational channels to improve port operations — are paying off as the Port of New York and New Jersey has not missed a beat in keeping food , medical supplies and goods moving . We are working collaboratively with our port partners and stakeholders at every link in the regional supply chain .”
Water infrastructure is also benefiting from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law . In a letter sent to Gov . Murphy , U . S . Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S . Regan encouraged New Jersey to maximize the impact of water funding from the law — an unprecedented nationwide total of $ 50 billion — to address disproportionate environmental burdens in historically underserved communities across New Jersey . Under this funding , the State of New Jersey will receive $ 168,949,000 .
“ Strong communities depend on strong infrastructure ,” said New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ( NJDEP ) Commissioner Shawn M . LaTourette . “ While the NJDEP has a longstanding history of working with our communities to improve this infrastructure across the state , far too much is old and in desperate need of replacement . This is especially true in our disproportionately burdened communities , which face challenges such as those posed by lead service lines . The funding made possible by the passage of the
“ Strong communities depend on strong infrastructure ,” said NJDEP Commissioner Shawn M . LaTourette .
national Infrastructure Law rightly focuses on the pressing needs of our environmental justice communities and opens many doors for us to better safeguard the health of our citizens , protect the environment , grow the economy and create jobs .”
For New Jersey , cleanup of its Superfund sites will get a $ 1 billion investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law , allowing for future development . With 114 , the state has more federal Superfund Sites than any other state in the nation . The following Garden State sites will get federal dollars for cleanup : White Chemical Superfund Site in Newark ; Diamond Head Oil Superfund Site in Kearny ; Roebling Steel Superfund Site in Florence Township ; Unimatic Manufacturing Site in Fairfield ; former Kil- Tone Superfund Site in Vineland ; Garfield Groundwater Contamination Superfund Site in Garfield ; and Kauffman & Minteer Superfund Site in Jobstown .
“ The bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides funding to protect public health and restore our natural resources , making our communities safer and returning these properties to productive use — whether for open space or commercial activity ,” said NJDEP Commissioner LaTourette .
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