Goethals Bridge Future Explored

The Port Authority Board of Commissioners approved plans to explore future options for the Goethals Bridge, which connects Staten Island with New Jersey.

The commissioners authorized the preparation of an environmental impact statement that will study options and recommend a preferred alternative to upgrade the bridge. The preferred alternative will improve customer service, modernize the bridge, provide the capacity for transit options, and enhance the safety and reliability of the crossing. The program includes a comprehensive public input process.

The Port Authority will initiate a comprehensive environmental review of the project with the United States Coast Guard as the lead agency.

The board originally authorized studies of the future transportation needs between Staten Island and New Jersey in 1988. By 1997, several alternative designs were developed for the bridge and a final environmental impact statement was released. Public hearings were held, but the Coast Guard did not issue a record of decision due to unresolved stakeholder and constituent concerns.

Nation's Infrastructure Receives Poor Grades

Leaders of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and officials of the American Society of Civil Engineers outlined a report highlighting the continued deterioration of the nation's highways, bridges, transportation systems and water infrastructure and called for an increase in funding to address the problem.

ASCE released a progress report on their 2001 Report Card for America's infrastructure which graded the quality of 12 categories of infrastructure, including roads, bridges, transit, aviation, wastewater infrastructure, and dams. The 2003 Progress Report indicates that since 2001 some categories have seen no improvement, while many have declined. No categories have improved since 2001's overall infrastructure grade of D+.

Among findings for New York were that 30 percent of roads are in poor or mediocre condition, 37 percent of bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, 34 percent of New York's urban freeways are congested, and 67 percent of schools have at least one inadequate building feature.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has considered some significant measures that address infrastructure needs, including a four-year bill that funds Federal Aviation Administration programs and the Airport Improvement Program, legislation to authorize U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects and studies for river and harbor navigation improvements, a bill to address our nation's substantial wastewater infrastructure needs, and a bill to provide for high-speed rail and rail infrastructure projects.

Welcome to Asbury Park, N.J.

Asbury Partners began the partial demolition of the skeleton known as the C-8 building on Ocean Avenue in Asbury Park, N.J., to open up Ocean Avenue for two-way traffic and to set the stage for the future redevelopment of the site.

Asbury Partners has contracted Vaccaro Enterprises LLC, based in Asbury Park, to do the work. The process, which involves removal of the four-story section of the structure that encroaches on Ocean Avenue, will widen the road and improve traffic flow through the neighborhood. In addition, it will enhance access to the beach and boardwalk. The work will also permit Asbury Partners to begin infrastructure improvements and site work there.

C-8 has been designated for residential development within the Ocean Beach neighborhood of the Oceanfront Asbury master plan. Asbury Partners is in discussions with several developers interested in the parcel, which is located at Second Avenue and the boardwalk.

Cameron Designing CCTV Engineering Systems

The security/closed circuit television engineering systems for the seven newly proposed marine solid waste transfer stations for the City of New York will be designed by Cameron Engineering & Associates.

In addition to the marine transfer stations, Cameron is also providing security and CCTV engineering for the city's new 448-bed Riker's Island maximum-security facility currently under construction.

Columbus Circle Being Reconfigured

Construction has begun on a project to reconfigure Columbus Circle adjacent to Central Park South in Manhattan.

Designed by Vollmer Associates on behalf of the New York City Department of Design and Construction, the contractor for the project is Tully Construction.

The reconstruction of Columbus Circle involves developing a new streetscape design to improve traffic flow, pedestrian circulation, infrastructure, and amenities for this historic site. The project includes re-establishing the central circle as park use, replacement of the existing fountain, replacement of aged sewers and water mains, and reconstruction of streets, sidewalks, traffic signals, lighting and pedestrian amenities within the central circle, Eighth Avenue, Central Park West, Central Park South and Broadway.

Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2004.