VP Collum Lays In On The Line

Not sure if I should post this here or in the Transit Category but Sheena really tells it like it is in this article (and at the meeting!)

http://politickernj.com/2015/11/sweeney-and-weinberg-call-on-nj-mayors-to-support-changes-to-capital-plan/

...

she was frustrated by the way unreliable and expensive NJ Transit rail service has hindered proposals from developers.
....described her disappointment at being offered numerous
economic development incentives and housing grants only to realize that
the city’s transit network would not have the capacity to accommodate
success.

good for her.

(btw, will anyone come here and bash her because the article called her "mayor?"  just asking.)

ml1 said:
good for her.
(btw, will anyone come here and bash her because the article called her "mayor?"  just asking.)

It's Torpey's fault

vermontgolfer said:

ml1 said:
good for her.
(btw, will anyone come here and bash her because the article called her "mayor?"  just asking.)

It's Torpey's fault

Ha!

ml1 said:
good for her.
(btw, will anyone come here and bash her because the article called her "mayor?"  just asking.)

Only if she referred to herself as mayor.  No evidence of that.

I'm glad Sheena spoke up.  This is why we elected her.  We have the most heavily utilized station on the Morris & Essex lines, and I believe the 4th most heavily utilized in the entire system.  We deserve to be heard, and have some leverage here.  Torpey would probably not have even attended such an event, much less rock the boat with the Trenton Powers That Be.  

She is right about the reliability, and I should also add that we have been screwed on scheduling lately, and in some cases Maplewood and Millburn have faster trains into NYC than we do.  As for pricing, well we may bitch and moan as commuters, but it is still by far the cheapest way into NYC for a daily commute, but I applaud the effort to keep the issue on the table.  

The big problem is bureaucracy and its resulting delays (see quote below from the article that the OP posted).  As an infrastructure manager in the private sector, I could probably make new tunnels happen in 5 years, if not less, if there were no bureaucratic issues.  Skyscrapers are built in Manhattan by private developers in 2 years or so.  Back in the '50's, much of the Interstate Highway System was built in a decade.  If it will really take 18 years to dig 2 new tunnels that are only a mile or so in length, the system is really broken.  

“If it started tomorrow it’s 12 years,” said Sweeney of efforts to make repairs to rail tunnels damaged during Hurricane Sandy.

“The reality is you’re not going to have new tunnels for 15 to 18 years,” he said.

There is a major difference between building something new that wasn't there before and trying to close down an existing structure currently used to capacity so you can repair it.  A major problem facing those who would be planning for repair of the existing tunnels is what to do with the trains/commuters that could not use the tunnels in the interim while the tunnels are closed for repairs. The Morris/Essex Line has the unpopular to some alternative of routing more trains to Hoboken but some other NJT lines don't have the same option.  The current highway system simply isn't capable of picking up the slack. Phasing in the work or doing it on off peak hours, assuming this is even possible, would be a major driver in setting such a long time interval for the project.

12 years is a long time. But of course, it didn't have to be this way.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/The_costs_of_Christies_tunnel_tango.html

"...Had Christie not spiked the so-called ARC tunnel, it would be coming online in about three years..."

(Also, go git 'em Sheena!)

If someone thinks building out South Orange by doubling of tripling its population is a good thing - I'm happy NJ Transit is doing a fine job.

Rob_Sandow said:
As an infrastructure manager in the private sector, I could probably make new tunnels happen in 5 years, if not less, if there were no bureaucratic issues.  Skyscrapers are built in Manhattan by private developers in 2 years or so.  Back in the '50's, much of the Interstate Highway System was built in a decade.  If it will really take 18 years to dig 2 new tunnels that are only a mile or so in length, the system is really broken.  

“If it started tomorrow it’s 12 years,” said Sweeney of efforts to make repairs to rail tunnels damaged during Hurricane Sandy.
“The reality is you’re not going to have new tunnels for 15 to 18 years,” he said.

So sad. The system is broken.

Look at the 2nd Ave subway. They've been constructing for eight years and its made 2nd Ave between 96 and 60 st into a mess. Chris, the manager of Schaller and Weber told me they lost a ton of business of the years.

What will they get when its hoped to be ready in 2017? A stubway, a stub of a subway from 96 to 63rd St. 10 years for a stub.

EricH said:
12 years is a long time. But of course, it didn't have to be this way.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/The_costs_of_Christies_tunnel_tango.html

"...Had Christie not spiked the so-called ARC tunnel, it would be coming online in about three years..."
(Also, go git 'em Sheena!)

I wonder if history will record Christie as the worst of all the governors of the garden?

The benefits of public infrastructure take a long time to be realized. Thinking that's a reason to not invest in it is short sighted. 

BG9 said:

Rob_Sandow said:
As an infrastructure manager in the private sector, I could probably make new tunnels happen in 5 years, if not less, if there were no bureaucratic issues.  Skyscrapers are built in Manhattan by private developers in 2 years or so.  Back in the '50's, much of the Interstate Highway System was built in a decade.  If it will really take 18 years to dig 2 new tunnels that are only a mile or so in length, the system is really broken.  

“If it started tomorrow it’s 12 years,” said Sweeney of efforts to make repairs to rail tunnels damaged during Hurricane Sandy.
“The reality is you’re not going to have new tunnels for 15 to 18 years,” he said.

So sad. The system is broken.
Look at the 2nd Ave subway. They've been constructing for eight years and its made 2nd Ave between 96 and 60 st into a mess. Chris, the manager of Schaller and Weber told me they lost a ton of business of the years.
What will they get when its hoped to be ready in 2017? A stubway, a stub of a subway from 96 to 63rd St. 10 years for a stub.

Investing is critical, who pays is primary. I think the signature is dry on Corzine as the worst governor in the history of this crony state.

Although lover boy, McGreevy, the Machiavellian of public projects, stands out too.

BillyBarroo said:
Investing is critical, who pays is primary. I think the signature is dry on Corzine as the worst governor in the history of this crony state.

Bah. Take away the Great Recession, which tanked the finances of every state in the Union, and he's just another governor. 

BillyBarroo said:
Investing is critical, who pays is primary. I think the signature is dry on Corzine as the worst governor in the history of this crony state.

Corzine was really just a place holder.  Didn't accomplish anything, but didn't mess anything up either. 

Anyone paying attention (and property taxes) knows Whitman was the worst governor.

dave said:
Anyone paying attention (and property taxes) knows Whitman was the worst governor.

Amen!

Well Brendon Byrne gave us an income tax expressly to reduce property then let that not happen so we wound up with both an income tax and high property taxes.

bramzzoinks said:
Well Brendon Byrne gave us an income tax expressly to reduce property then let that not happen so we wound up with both an income tax and high property taxes.

Because Whitman promised to (and did) cut the income tax, failed to make pension contributions, and then cut school funding aid, forcing the increase in property taxes.  Bet you voted for her both times because of her tax cutting promises.

Both, yes! Public Unions eat your lunch too. 

Steve said:

bramzzoinks said:
Well Brendon Byrne gave us an income tax expressly to reduce property then let that not happen so we wound up with both an income tax and high property taxes.

Because Whitman promised to (and did) cut the income tax, failed to make pension contributions, and then cut school funding aid, forcing the increase in property taxes. Bet you voted for her both times because of her tax cutting promises.

BillyBarroo said:
Both, yes! Public Unions eat your lunch too.

The unions backed her the first time... thought she'd be an ally.

Taking money from state taxes promised to property tax relief goes way earlier than Whitman:

"Throughout the ‘80’s and into the ‘90’s, every State Budget featured an annual diversion of some of the funding dedicated by permanent statutes to municipal property tax relief, and the use of that funding for different State purposes"

http://www.njslom.org/tax_brochure.html

I don't recall that (union support of Whitman), but if they did, they were as stupid then as they were when they backed Christie a few years ago.

As for diverting funds, Whitman's actions were the largest factor in causing the increase in property taxes.

Steve said:
I don't recall that (union support of Whitman), but if they did, they were as stupid then as they were when they backed Christie a few years ago.

Now, THAT I don't recall...

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/06/christie_picks_up_more_labor_union_support_puts_off_labor_council.html