Online News - March 2021

Sponsored by: For more information about our sponsors click the logos below                     March 2021   FOLLOW US:        ALLIANCE HOSTS TRANSITGRID EVENT   NJ TRANSIT is closing the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process for the $577 million TRANSITGRID construction project on April 2. This morning the Alliance for Action hosted New Jersey Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, New Jersey Transit President/CEO Kevin Corbett and about 500 registered developers, contractors, engineers and other leaders for a special virtual networking event.   The TRANSITGRID site is in Kearny and will provide an enhanced backup electric source for key NJ TRANSIT lines, including the Northeast Corridor.   AT&T BOOSTING CONNECTIVITY   AT&T is moving forward on more broadband construction investment after announcing the addition of new cell sites in 10 New Jersey counties. The new cell sites will give residents, businesses and first responders faster and more reliable wireless service. AT&T says it's invested more than $1.3 billion in its wireless and wired networks in New Jersey from 2017 to 2019 - with more on the way.   NJ TRANSIT TAKES NEXT STEP IN THE MEADOWLANDS NJ TRANSIT continues advancing the "Innovation Challenge" project, moving it into the next phase of the development process. An RFP was recently issued to increase mass transit capacity between the Frank R. Lautenberg Rail Station at Secaucus Junction and the Meadowlands Complex.   ACECNJ AND NJ CHAPTER OF NJSB COLLABORATE The New Jersey chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers has announced a strategic collaboration with ACECNJ. They will jointly develop, cross-market and host meetings and events open to members from both organizations. The organizations will also develop strategies to promote Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) education. The announcement was made during February's Black History Month.   UPCOMING EVENTS   3/19/21 - Inside Scoop with AMTRAK President Stephen Gardner.  Click here to register.    3/23/21 - Inside Scoop with NJ American President Cheryl Norton. Click here to register.    3/30/21 - Inside Scoop with DRPA Chief Engineer Mike Venuto.  Click here to register.  5/10/21 - 2021 Golf Classic. Click here to register.  PENN EAST PIPELINE GETS BOOST FROM WHITE HOUSE AND US SUPREME COURT   The Biden administration is siding with developers of the PennEast natural gas pipeline in a dispute over whether it can seize land from the state of New Jersey in order to complete construction.  In a brief, in support of PennEast's position, the Justice Department argued that states aren't exempt from a law allowing permit holders from taking necessary property for infrastructure projects that were approved by federal regulators.  The Supreme Court has also agreed to hear the case.   MILLVILLE APPROVES EXPANSION OF FOOD PROCESSING PLANT The Millville (Cumberland County) Planning Board approved an expansion project for Innovation Foods LLC, in partnership with Oatly AB, that will see the construction of a $45 million facility for processing and packaging of oat milk products.   BAYONNE APPROVES UPS DISTRIBUTION CENTER   The City of Bayonne has approved an 880,000-square-foot UPS distribution facility on 150 waterfront acres at the city's Military Ocean Terminal.   AMTRAK WATCHDOG TO AUDIT GATEWAY PROJECT   The Amtrak inspector general is auditing the Gateway Tunnel project in advance of what could be federal approval for the long-awaited construction job later this year. The federal government watchdog did not indicate any problems but said the project had "reached a phase where they are appropriate to audit to help ensure the company is positioning itself for successful implementation."   PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Jerry Abell is retiring as President and Business Manager of Operating Engineers Local 25 effective March 31st.  He will be succeeded by Anthony Gonsiewski.    John J. Priano has joined H2M architects + engineers as Senior Coatings Inspector.  He will be at H2M's Wall Township, NJ office.  Previously, Priano was the Company Safety Officer at US Tank Painting in Milford, NJ.  Priano currently resides in Onondaga, NY. #BuildBackNJ