COVID-19 UPDATE 21
U.S SENATE MOVES $480 BILLION RELIEF PACKAGE TO REPLENISH SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM, HOSPITAL FUNDING AND A NEW TESTING PROGRAM
The Senate on Tuesday passed a roughly $480 billion relief package that includes hundreds of billions of dollars in new funding for small businesses hurt by the coronavirus outbreak along with other priorities. The bill now goes to the House, which is expected to vote on the package Thursday. The President has signaled he will sign the bill.
Of the nearly half-trillion-dollar package, $320 billion will be authorized for the Paycheck Protection Program, $10 billion for grants under the Emergency Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, $50 billion for disaster recovery loans, $75 billion for hospitals and health care providers, and $25 billion for increased testing.
This latest funding now clears the way for an infrastructure-based stimulus package that teased by Speaker Pelosi and President Trump earlier this month. The President earlier this week took to Twitter in support of such an effort, calling for, “much needed Infrastructure Investments for Bridges, Tunnels, [and] Broadband.”
UTCA has been in regular communication with our federal delegation and will keep you updated as the stimulus bills advance.
DEP CLARIFIES SITE REMEDIATION PROJECTS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently released a Compliance Advisory clarifying that
construction-related to site remediation projects are allowed to continue under Executive Order 122.
This was the standing interpretation of the UTCA and others, but we very much appreciate this official interpretation from DEP.
The DEP recommends that during this Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency, the person responsible for conducting the remediation and the environmental professional (such as a retained licensed site remediation professional or certified subsurface evaluator) should
document all activities conducted during the remediation
. It is essential that any variation from rule or deviation from guidance is described and a thorough explanation provided, including scientific and technical rationale, that details how the remediation remains protective of public health and safety and of the environment.
Notwithstanding any of the above, all remedial activities must be conducted in accordance with the social distancing directives set forth in Executive Orders 107 and 122. DEP acknowledges that essential on-site staffing determinations will differ for each circumstance and could include staggering on-site construction activities, as well as determining which construction must be accomplished immediately and which can be postponed to a later date. All efforts should be made to minimize site activities and to protect staff, contractors, and the general public.
The basis for this interpretation is Section 2 of EO 122. This section defines "Essential construction projects to include "(l) Any project that is ordered or contracted for by Federal, State, county, or municipal government, or any project that must be completed to meet a deadline established by the Federal government; (m) "Any work on a non-essential construction project that is required to ... remediate a site ..."
NJ TRANSIT TO ADVERTISES FIVE NEW PROJECTS
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is gearing up to increase its annual capital construction program which has diminished over the years, and has requested that UTCA share this information with the industry. NJ Transit has recently advertised five new construction projects each valued between $1 million and $18 million during the next few months. The following projects are scheduled for advertisement:
Currently Advertised:
- Lyndhurst Station
- Market Street Bus Garage
- Inclined Switch Board at Hoboken
- North Bergen Dirt Pile
- New Brunswick Escalator Replacement
Future projects:
- Delco Lead – Expected in Spring 2021
- Raritan Bridge Contract 2 - Expected in Summer 2021
- Long Slip Phase 2 – in Summer 2021
- Perth Amboy Station – in Summer 2021
There will be additional projects added to NJ Transit’s Capital program once finalized.
______________________________________
If anyone has questions concerning this notice, please contact us at the UTCA office 732-292-4300.
