The New Jersey Department of Transportation just announced $161.25 million in Local Aid grants to counties to repair and rehabilitate county roads and bridges throughout New Jersey. The grants are funded by New Jersey’s Transportation Trust Fund which was renewed and replenished several years ago.

Every one of New Jersey’s 21 counties will benefit from these vitally important funds. Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti’s Department has done an admirable job administering this important program. Now it’s up to New Jersey’s county governments to expedite project delivery and reinvest these dollars back into local transportation infrastructure.

Counties should rely on the expertise of consulting engineers to maximize the value of every dollar spent. Counties should also lean on the NJDOT’s recently launched Local Aid Resource Center. Counties should tap into the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to leverage dollars even further. I-Bank Executive Director David Zimmer is a public finance wizard and word needs to get out about the amazing work he is doing. Lastly, counties must follow NJDOT’s procurement practices and select professional services like design and engineering based on their qualifications and expertise. Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) saves money by making sure every dollar is spent wisely and efficiently and is codified in New Jersey and Federal law.

Contact ACECNJ with any questions regarding NJDOT’s County Aid program or to discuss these issues further.

A county-by-county breakdown of the grant awards is here.

NJDOT’s Fiscal Year 2019 project awards exceeded expectation and finished with strong numbers. Continuing on a trend to maintain its roadway assets, NJDOT has let and award more paving projects than last year and 2017. With the end of the fiscal year on June 30, NJDOT has awarded 120 projects with bid values of $947.71 million with asphalt tonnage of 1.712 million. That tonnage is the most since 2013.

Looking ahead to Fiscal Year 2020, NJDOT has projected 101 projects, which will include 23 paving projects, 5 pavement preservation projects, 36 bridge projects, and 37 other project types (which include pavement markings, sign structures, drainage, safety and operations and other infrastructure improvements). Many of the bridge and other projects will include asphalt pavement. The estimated value of these projects is between $693 million and $1.408 billion.

NJAPA Summer 2019 Newsletter

The NJAPA, responding to the call of its members and the Commissioner of NJDOT, has met and will continue to meet with the beneficiaries of the Local Aid Program to learn where the Association can assist in ensuring that funds are spent in an efficient and timely manner. Meetings have been held with township engineers, a county manager and public works manager, and the leadership of the New Jersey Society of Municipal Engineers, and are planned with additional county and municipal engineers over the next two months.

In gathering information on the stumbling blocks to awarding local aid grants, the NJAPA hopes to serve as a conduit between the NJDOT and the grant recipients to assist in streamlining the program. All parties that we have met with have welcomed this initiative.

 

Governor Christie Signs RAP Legislation

Governor Chris Christie has signed legislation which will dramatically expand the permissible uses of Recycled Asphalt Pavement material.  The bill was approved by the Assembly and Senate in the final days of the Legislative session.

Over the past year NJAPA representatives have met with nearly every member of the NJ Legislature, Representatives of DOT and DEP, the Governor’s Office, and a multitude of other interest groups as we advanced this important policy initiative.  NJAPA coordinated our efforts with the NJ Concrete & Aggregate Association and thank them for their advocacy as well.

The legislation will allow RAP to be used for quarry reclamation in stone quarries, will establish a regulatory framework for quarry reclamation in sand quarries, and will allow RAP materials to be used for a host of other beneficial uses including farm roads, pothole repair, and parking lots.

Please contact the NJAPA office should you have any questions or wish to discuss this issue in more detail.

NJAPA Achieves Major Policy Success in Final Days of Legislative Session

The New Jersey Assembly voted on the final day of the Legislative Session to approve legislation developed by NJAPA to dramatically expand the allowable uses of recycled asphalt pavements. The vote was delayed in both houses due to the recent snow storm. The Senate voted 30-0 on Friday to approve the measure and the Assembly voted to amend the bill to make it match the Assembly version and voted 70-0 for final passage on Monday. The bill now heads to Governor Christie for his consideration. At the end of a legislative session, the Constitution provides the Governor with 7 days to review and consider passed bills. Over the past year NJAPA representatives have met with nearly every member of the NJ Legislature, Representatives of DOT and DEP, the Governor’s Office, and a multitude of other interest groups as we advanced this important policy initiative. NJAPA coordinated our efforts with the NJ Concrete & Aggregate Association and thank them for their advocacy as well.

If approved, the legislation will allow RAP to be used for quarry reclamation in stone quarries, will establish a regulatory framework for quarry reclamation in sand quarries, and will allow RAP materials to be used for a host of other beneficial uses including farm roads, pothole repair, and parking lots.

NJAPA extends a tremendously well-deserved Thank You to the Sponsors of Senate Bill 3521 and Assembly Bill 5194:

• Senator Bob Gordon (D-38)
• Senator Steve Oroho (R-24)
• Senator Kip Bateman (R-16)
• Assemblyman Tim Eustace (D-38)
• Assemblyman Kevin Rooney (R-40)
• Assemblyman Jamal Holley (D-20)
• Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-19)

To view a copy of the bill click here.

We will provide additional updates as we learn more about the Governor’s position on the bill. As always, please call or email the association office with any questions or discussion.