February 24, 2023

President Biden Jump Starts Hudson Tunnel Project

President Biden announced a $292 million grant to Amtrak to finish the Hudson Yards “tunnel box” concrete casing, a project that was started in summer 2013 to preserve the route of the Gateway Tunnel from Penn Station to the Hudson River as foundations were built for the Hudson Yards project.

Gateway Commission Vice Chair Tony Coscia and co-Chairs Balpreet Grewal-Vick and Alicia Glen in a joint statement said “With President Biden’s support and tireless work, Gateway will start active construction this year to deliver a more reliable, climate-resilient, 21st-century rail link for the region and the nation.” 

The funding for the third and last phase of the tunnel box is from the National Infrastructure Project Assistance program, known as MEGA. The Mega program is expected to invest a total of $5 billion through 2026 to help rebuild the nation’s infrastructure.

Ørsted To Take Full Control of Ocean Wind 1 Project

Ørsted has acquired the 25% interest in Ocean Wind 1 that had been held by Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG). PSEG intends to support on-land infrastructure improvements for the coming offshore wind capacity. Ocean Wind 1 has already committed to $695 million of in-state spending at present. It will create hundreds of construction and other jobs.

Twenty-Six Graduates from AC Infrastructure Program

Bolstering South Jersey Energy Workforce

Twenty-six Atlantic City residents graduated from the 14-week Atlantic City Infrastructure Program, an energy workforce training program for city residents announced in September. Developed by the city of Atlantic City and Atlantic City Electric, the program provides residents of Atlantic City a path to careers in the energy field, with a job opportunity for every program graduate with Atlantic City Electric or one of the company’s contractors of choice.

PSE&G Receives Inaugural 2022 EV Charging Hero Award from EVgo

PSE&G was recognized for its commitment to developing EV charging infrastructure and the acceleration of fast charger deployment. PSE&G received this industry honor via a virtual award ceremony on Thursday, January 19. The Connect the Watts™ National EV Charging Recognition Program celebrates leaders in the EV charging ecosystem for their work and achievements in driving the electrification of transportation. Click Here to see more.  

Trenton Gets $5.5M To Abate Lead Water Lines

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced projects that have been selected to receive over $30 million in grant funding under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act. This grant funding, and additional funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help make rapid progress on the goal of addressing lead and removing lead pipes across the country. The City of Trenton will receive a $5,530,000 grant for Reduction of Lead Exposure in the Nation’s Drinking Water Systems through Infrastructure and Treatment Improvements.

Felician University Expanding Broadband

Felician University is the recipient of a new, $2.3 million grant that will upgrade and expand the university’s broadband infrastructure, computing resources and online technologies, to make remote learning fully accessible.



This U.S. Department of Commerce grant is part of the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program and the Biden Administration’s Internet for All initiative. Funding from this grant program aims to expand technology and reliable high-speed internet access across the nation.

Upcoming Events

3/2/23 - The Inside Scoop With SJTA Executive Director Stephen Dougherty. Click here to register.

3/8/23 - The Federal Infrastructure Act and What it Means to NJ. Click here to register.

3/29/23 - Middlesex County Alliance for Action. Click here to register.

4/24/23 - 44th Annual Golf Classic. Click here to register.

LaRossa Lays Out PSE&G Energy Strategy

Camden Snags Snack Businesses of Campbell’s

600 new jobs will be coming to the Campbell’s Soup headquarters in Camden. The company will consolidate snack businesses from Connecticut and North Carolina into the Camden world headquarters.

Murphy Administration Awards $16 Million For Recycling

NJDEP has given out $16.2 million in grants to communities across the state to help them enhance waste reduction and recycling programs.

For a complete list of grants by municipality, visit www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/stats.htm

Bergen County: Paramus, $126,835

Camden County: Camden, $102,291; Cherry Hill, $166,073

Cumberland County: Millville, $128,791; Vineland, $475,250

Essex County: Newark, $264,896

Gloucester County: Logan, $200,307

Hudson County: Bayonne, $133,677; Jersey City, $319,944; North Bergen, $194,090; Secaucus, $189,204; Union City, $107,408

Mercer County: Hamilton, $182,395; Robbinsville, $115,210

Middlesex County: Cranbury, $104,954; East Brunswick, $121,623; Edison, $217,583; Old Bridge, $116,123; Perth Amboy, $105,862; Piscataway, $111,758; South Brunswick, $197,631; Woodbridge, $261,930

Morris County: Parsippany-Troy Hills, $122,176

Ocean County: Brick, $129,047; Lakewood, $167,897; Toms River, $157,645

Passaic County: Clifton, $143,693; Passaic, $104,958; Paterson, $265,641; Wayne, $108,837

Somerset County: Bridgewater, $172,767

University Hospital Introduces $1.8B Facility Master Plan Draft

The leadership of Newark-based University Hospital (UH) has announced a preliminary draft of a new $1.8 billion Facility Master Plan. It is now in the hands of new President and CEO Ed Jimenez.

People And Companies On The Move

Jerry Keenan, Alliance for Action President, has been named one of ROI-NJ’s key influencers in associations for 2023.

Alliance for Action Chairman Emeritus Michael Della Rocca has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Gannett Fleming.

Alliance for Action Board of Directors member Rich Amodei has been named President, Transportation Northeast., at STV, Inc.

Alliance for Action Board of Directors member Dave Rible has been named Chief Executive Officer of the Utility and Transportation Contractors Assn. upon the retirement of the current CEO, Robert Briant, Jr.

Dale Caldwell, Ed.D, currently Executive Director of the Rothman Institute at Fairleigh Dickinson University, has been named the new President of Centenary University in Hackettstown.

Dr. Hilary Link has been chosen as the new President of Drew University in Madison.

New Jersey Resources has named Robert Pohlman Vice President, NJR Clean Energy Ventures and Corporate Strategy.

Eric C. Betz has been named Vice President, Director of Water & Wastewater at French & Parrello Associates.

New Jersey Resources has named Robert Pohlman Vice President, NJR Clean Energy Ventures and Corporate Strategy.



NJ American Water has announced several major executive moves:



• Denise Venuti Free is now Senior Director of Communications and External Affairs.
• Chelsea Kulp has been promoted to Senior Manager of Government and External Affairs.
• Lindsey Olson, P.E. has been named Senior Director, Operations for Coastal North.
• Lori Sutton has joined the company as the chief inclusion, diversity and equity officer. She comes to NJAW from Alcoa.