Regional News Roundup
A comprehensive roundup of transportation-related news -- from daily, weekly and online media outlets -- compiled and posted every few days.
As of May 13, 2013
Amtrak unveils locomotives to replace aging fleet
Associated Press, 5/13/13. NEWARK — When Amtrak unveils the first of 70 new locomotives Monday at a plant in California, it will mark what the national passenger railroad service hopes will be a new era of better reliability, streamlined maintenance and better energy efficiency.
How New Jersey Transit Failed Sandy's Test
WNYC, 5/13/13. On the weekend before Sandy thundered into New Jersey, transit officials studied a map showing bright green and orange blocks. On the map, the area where most New Jersey Transit trains were being stored showed up as orange – or dry. So keeping the trains in its centrally-located Meadows Maintenance Complex and the nearby Hoboken yards seemed prudent.
NJ Transit remains silent on how it prepared for superstorm Sandy
The Record, 5/13/13. As superstorm Sandy barreled toward the tri-state area, two of the nation’s largest transportation agencies worked to safeguard their systems, moving buses and rail cars to areas they thought would be protected. But NJ Transit and New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority had vastly different rates of success.
Bloomingdale to hold public hearing on Rafkind Road improvements
Suburban Trends, 5/13/13. A sidewalk assessment project and other Rafkind Road improvements are on the road to becoming a reality now that the Borough Council has introduced a bond ordinance to fund the work.
Final Phase of New Providence Streetscapes Over Two Years Behind Schedule
Alternative Press, 5/12/13. NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – In 2006, the borough’s downtown commercial district received a much needed injection of Botox to revitalize an aging and sagging area into a vibrant pedestrian-friendly shopping experience.
Cedar Grove to resurface seven township roads
Verona-Cedar Grove Times, 5/11/13. Cedar Grove will resurface seven township roads over the summer.
Drowsy driving remains an elusive highway dilemma
Associated Press, 5/11/13. More than 11,000 deaths were attributed to drowsy driving from 2000 to 2010, according to federal statistics. And experts say it's a problem that can't easily be solved by new laws because proving sleepiness behind the wheel is difficult, if not impossible.
Road Repaving Scheduled in Four Ocean County Communities
WOBM, 5/10/13. Eleven stretches of road around Ocean County get new surfaces and improved drainage in projects being approved next week by the Board of Freeholders.
State's online bike tours promote cycling at Shore
Asbury Park Press, 5/10/13. BERKELEY — State transportation officials unveiled online cycling resources Thursday morning with a bike ride through Island Beach State Park to let residents and tourists know the Shore is ready for visitors on two wheels. The new online map divides the state into north and south and gives riders color-coded information about whether a road is suitable for cycling — green is for the most suitable for cycling, red for the least. Also offered are 18 bike tours that riders can access and download to their smartphones’ GPS feature.
Madison receives grant for Green Avenue repair
Chatham Courier News, 5/10/13. MADISON - For some five years, residents of Green Avenue have waited with increasing frustration for repairs to their pothole-riddled section of the heavily traveled road.
Route 35 Construction Pushed Back To Avoid Summer Delays
WOBM, 5/10/13. An unwanted hassle during your next trip to the shore is being removed.
Investors Foundation grant makes transportation available for Madison seniors
Independent Press, 5/10/13. 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.
Bicyclists: Time to change mind-set in Ridgewood
The Ridgewood News, 5/9/13. The Ridgewood Council unanimously defeated a controversial bicycle ordinance Wednesday after a flurry of residents, business owners and other cycling enthusiasts presented arguments to show the proposal was counterproductive.
Traffic-detecting cameras bring county conundrum to West Milford
Suburban Trends, 5/9/13. The local government has questioned the county’s insistence on the installation of video detection systems at traffic lights in the town center.
State releases new bicycling guide
Star Ledger, 5/9/13. Near the southern tip of an Ocean County barrier island ravaged by Hurricane Sandy, state transportation officials unveiled a statewide cycling guide while also reminding bicycling enthusiasts that they are invited to the Jersey Shore this summer. "The Shore will be open for business this summer and ready to welcome bicyclists and everyone else who wishes to enjoy all that the Shore offers," said Anthony Attanasio, an assistant commissioner with the state department of transportation, at a press conference at Island Beach State Park today. "Come down the Shore this summer. We want to have you here."
Route 35 project postponed till fall
Ocean Star, 5/9/13. OCEAN COUNTY— Drivers along the northern Ocean County Shore can rest easier following the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s [NJDOT] decision to hold off road reconstruction work on Route 35 until after Labor Day.
State will delay Rt. 35 roadwork until after summer Shore season
Star-Ledger, 5/9/13. Amid worries the summer tourist season would be ruined by delays from one-lane construction zones, the state Department of Transportation has agreed to put off major roadwork on the Route 35 reconstruction project in Ocean County until after Labor Day.
NJ Transit studying extension of Hudson-Bergen Light Rail to Englewood Hospital
Star-Ledger, 5/9/13. NJ Transit is one step closer to putting a Bergen in the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail.
Randolph, Mine Hill gain grants for road, sidewalk improvements
Randolph Reporter, 5/8/13. Randolph Township has been awarded a $170,000 Municipal Aid grant for its Quaker Church Road milling and resurfacing project and Mine Hill Township has been awarded an $180,000 grant for its Route 46 and Canfield Avenue sidewalk improvement project.
Turn-around track to allow more NJ Transit train cars for NYC commute
Star-Ledger, 5/8/13. NJ Transit is building a "pocket track" that will allow it to double the number of cars per train and more easily turn around trains just west of Summit on the Morris and Essex Lines.
***NJTPA Mention***
Super Bowl XLVIII expected to create super boost to Central Jersey businesses - and they're already getting ready
Courier News, 5/8/13. From tickets priced at more than $1,000 apiece to the hundreds of thousands of people expected to flock to New Jersey to the simple notion that this will be the first Super Bowl ever held outdoors in a cold-weather city, there will be no shortage of hype when the big game comes to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford next February.
DOT to resurface Route 10 from Livingston to Hanover
Daily Record, 5/8/13. HANOVER — More than five miles of Route 10 from Livingston to Hanover will be resurfaced in the coming months, according to the state Department of Transportation.
***NJTPA Mention***
Workshop Gives Residents A Chance To Share Ideas About The Region’s Future
NJToday.net, 5/8/13. NEW BRUNSWICK — Together North Jersey, Middlesex County, the City of New Brunswick, and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) invite members of the public to share their ideas at an upcoming workshop to be held on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the New Brunswick Middle School, 1125 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick.
DOT announces resurfacing along Routes 18, 26 and 27
Sentinel, 5/8/13. NORTH BRUNSWICK — Three miles of deteriorated pavement along Route 27 between North Brunswick and Franklin will be repaved.
Officials sign agreement to lease spots on Ryan Road
News Transcript, 5/8/13. MANALAPAN — The township will gain 225 commuter parking spaces for residents in an agreement with the Monmouth Heights Community Association (MHCA) Board of Trustees.
New Jersey Named Top 10 State For Cyclists [Interactive Map]
Middletown Patch, 5/8/13. New Jersey is ranked as the seventh friendliest state for bicyclists, according to the League of American Bicyclists.
***NJTPA Mention***
Public hearing on Liberty State Park mass transit/circulator cost-benefit analysis
Hudson Reporter, 5/7/13. JERSEY CITY & BEYOND – Residents who are interested in learning more about the proposed Liberty State Park Circulator are invited to an informational meeting on Thursday, May 9 at 4:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at City Hall, 280 Grove St, Jersey City.
Hudson municipalities awarded $4.4 million in state transportation grants
Jersey Journal, 5/7/13. Hudson County municipalities have been awarded more than $4.4 million in transportation project funding, money that will help elected leaders control property taxes, state officials said.
Parkway Exit 105 Reconfiguration Will Begin by End of Summer
Eatontown Patch, 5/7/13. The Garden State Parkway Exit 105 reconfiguration project will begin by the "end of summer," according to New Jersey Turnpike Authority Spokesman Thomas Feeney.
State Postpones Route 35 Reconstruction
Point Pleasant Patch, 5/7/13. The state is postponing Route 35 reconstruction until after Labor Day, a welcome relief to local officials and business people who feared that the work would cause massive traffic delays all summer.
E-ZPass urged for Delaware River bridge users in Easton area
Express-Times, 5/7/13. The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission says work is wrapping up on its Interstate 78 project, just as “significant traffic impacts are likely” because of work starting next month on its Route 22 crossing. Commissioners’ advice to drivers is to get E-ZPass and take I-78.
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