PA & NJTransit Agree To Restore Hoboken Terminal

The Port Authority of New York &New Jersey and New Jersey Transit have signed an agreement that will lead to the restoration of the historic Hoboken Terminal ferry slips and supporting infrastructure to accommodate a major increase in trans-Hudson ferry service.

New Jersey Governor James McGreevey hailed the decision saying, "Interstate ferry service has been a lifeline for New Jersey commuters since September 11 ... I strongly believe that ferry service is a key transportation option we need to relieve congestion on our highways, tunnels, bridges and public transportation systems."

As part of its agreement with NJTransit, the PA will provide up to $8 million to pay for the design work for the restoration of six ferry slips in the terminal, as well as supporting infrastructure required to reactivate service. The preliminary design work is ongoing and is scheduled to be completed in June 2003.

The PA will also provide an additional $44 million from its capital program as the initial financing of the approximately $125 million project. The Federal Transit Administration will contribute an additional $27 million, which will permit initial phases to begin while additional funds are secured.

The agreement also calls for the PA and NJTransit to finalize a long-term lease for the PA's use of the Hoboken Terminal ferry slips.

Key elements of the ferry terminal repair and restoration work include:

• Reconstruction of a portion of the building's substructure and superstructure;
• Construction of ferry service ticket offices and a waiting area;
• Restoration of the copper fascia and lighting on the exterior of the building;
• Waterproofing and insulation of the exterior walls near the ferry slips;
• Restoration of the interior finishes of the ferry terminal area;
• Utility and marine work to support the new ferry operation.

Ship-To-Rail Facility To Be Built in Howland Hook

A $72.5 million project to build a ship-to-rail facility in Howland Hook has been approved by the board of the Port Authority of New York &New Jersey.

Construction is scheduled to begin later this year. The facility will be located on a 38-acre site that was formerly owned by Procter & Gamble on Staten Island.

Also approved by the board of the PA were:

• Authorization to provide approximately $32 million to the New York City Economic Development Corp. to rehabilitate portions of the Staten Island Railroad;
• Authorization to spend $57 million to build a new rail freight connection between the Staten Island Railroad and a national freight line in New Jersey operated by CSX and Norfolk Southern.

The new facility, when completed in 2005, along with the planned improvements to the Staten Island Railroad, will enable freight from Staten Island to be carried by rail throughout the nation's freight network. The Howland Hook Marine Terminal covers 187 acres along the Arthur Kill on the northwest corner of Staten Island.

New Poll Indicates Broad Transportation Crisis

A recent poll conducted by New York-based Zogby International and sponsored by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association indicates that 70 percent of voters believe the nation has a transportation capacity crisis with overcrowding roads, airports and public transit systems struggling to handle a growing population and economy.

The survey also indicated that 64 percent of voters would support a small increase in the federal motor fuels user fee excise if the money is used exclusively to improve roads, bridges and public transportation.

"Our polling on many issues over the years has revealed that voters will support a tax hike if the issue is important to them and that the money will be spent wisely," said John Zogby, chief executive officer and president of Zogby International.

Other key findings in the survey were:

• More than 80 percent think the nation's highways and public transit network is extremely important or very important to the U.S. economy.
• Nearly eight in 10 also agreed that an investment in highways, bridges and public transit should be considered an important element in homeland security and national defense.
• Nearly 90 percent feel it is important that their representatives in Congress fight to ensure sufficient federal funding for transportation improvement projects in their local areas.
• Two-thirds of Americans say roads and public transit systems play a highly important role in their everyday lives.