Putting New Jersey Back to Work

February 2010

We all know that America has a problem with aging infrastructure.  That’s not only a national shame, it’s an international embarrassment.  America is the land of opportunity and we should be striding boldly into the future, not scraping our knees while other nations race ahead with high speed rail lines, great broadband service, and new sources of clean energy.

Those of us who advocate for mass transit were pleased that after all too many years of neglect the situation is starting to turn around, and it’s happening right here in New Jersey.  Earlier this month senators Lautenberg and Menendez announced that President Obama’s budget includes $200 million toward construction of a second Hudson River rail tunnel to Manhattan, on top of funds pledged from the Port Authority.

The President’s budget also assigns priority funding to the new tunnel.  That shows a long term commitment of federal dollars needed to push a major project from start to finish, not a piecemeal approach that could leave it hanging.

The new rail tunnel means a lot to Union County.  Aside from the obvious benefit to commuters and a potential boost for property values, more mass transit will provide much needed relief for our congested roadways.  It will help all of us save time, improve safety, and cut down on air pollution from traffic.

Above all, the project is estimated to create 6,000 construction jobs per year while the work is under way.  That will be followed up by 44,000 permanent jobs after the project is completed.

A recent news article suggests that eminent domain proceedings may throw a monkey wrench into the schedule, causing an unacceptable delay. I am urging the Port Authority and elected officials to move the project forward with all deliberate speed.  Timing is everything and these jobs are vitally needed now more than ever. 

Union County is already benefitting from construction under the Obama administration’s stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  So far Union County has gained $23 million in ARRA grants.  Much of that has gone to improve our roads and other infrastructure, putting more people back to work.

Together, the new rail tunnel and the stimulus package demonstrate that federal investment in the nation’s infrastructure can jumpstart the economy and create new jobs where there were none.  These are the kind of programs we need to get more Union County residents back on their feet.

Along with my colleagues on the Freeholder Board, I support the efforts of the Port Authority and our elected representatives to fund more of these vitally needed infrastructure projects.

Mr. Sullivan has been a member of the New Jersey Transportation Planning Authority for 12 years and served as its Chairman in 2006-7.