Transportation leaders look to the future at forum.

"From congestion pricing to traffic and rail-tie ups and soaring costs at the pump, few issues touch our daily lives as much as transportation," said Professional Women in Construction (PWC) President Lenore Janis at PWC's Transportation Forum held on July 26 at The Yale Club in NYC. Janis then introduced the speakers as the "key leaders who manage the transportation systems we depend on in the New York and New Jersey region." Organized by PWC and DMJM Harris' Jane A. Chmielinski, the company's president and COO and the program's moderator, the breakfast event drew a packed crowd including many chiefs and top executives from leading area A & E and CM companies.

Chmielinski thanked PWC for offering the opportunity for the industry leaders to give their visions of how transportation will "meet the challenges of this century and beyond." Each of the speakers urged participation by small, women and minority-owned businesses.

Richard Sarles, recently appointed executive director of NJ TRANSIT, provided an overview of"Aecess to the Region's Core" (ARC), the multi-billion dollar project to double commuter rail capacity between New Jersey and New York with two new single-track railroad tunnels beneath the Hudson River, an expansion of New York Penn Station, and signal and track improvements along and adjacent to the Northeast Corridor. ARC promises to increase mobility, reduce congestion, and produce economic benefits for the region by adding 44,000 permanent jobs and 6,000 construction jobs.

Janette Sadik-Khan, recently appointed as New York City transportation commissioner, said the agency is committed to delivering a "cleaner, greener transportation system" that will "improve travel time," using Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC sustainability initiative as a blueprint.

She discussed congestion pricing as the city's foremost transportation initiative, saying that it is designed to better the city's environment, reduce traffic congestion and secure the capital resources to build needed transportation capacity in one bold stroke. Commissioner Sadik-Khan urged construction industry support for the plan, saying "we need your leadership to meet the needs of future generations." She also announced a new street management initiative to coordinate construction activity that opens up city streets.

Mysore Nagaraja, president of the MTA's Capital Construction (MTACC) program, offered an overview of the $15 billion planned in network expansion and infrastructure improvements. He referred to various MTACC projects including the Fulton Street Transit Center, South Ferry Terminal Station, LIRR East Side Access, Second Ave. Subway and the 7 West Extension.

Pledging "we're going to make it happen," Nagaraja said that the challenge would be met through "proactive and accountable project management," improvement and use of best practices, ensuring that quality and safety are always granted top priority, partnering, and adhering to timely schedules.

Richard J. Raczynski, P.E., chief engineer with the NJ Turnpike Authority, said that beginning in 2009 the Authority is planning to widen the NJ Turnpike to 12 lanes with major modifications at the four interchanges at a cost of $2.1 billion. This expansion will accommodate an expected increase in traffic of 40% by 2013. The Garden State Parkway is also being expanded by adding an additional lane in each direction. The construction is set to begin next year and will take place in stages at a cost of $150 million for the first phase which stretches from Toms River to Stafford Township (interchanges 63 to 80).

Jane D. Hegarty, P.E., assistant director, engineering management services, the Port Authority of NY & NJ, said that the Authority's mission is "to enhance our region's economic growth through our transportation system."

She spoke of the downtown restoration projects including the WTC Transportation Hub, a $2.21 billion project being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. DOT and the Federal Transit Administration. It will serve as the centerpiece of a transportation network that links New Jersey with downtown Manhattan and will ensure the long-term accessibility and economic vitality of Lower Manhattan. Hegarty spoke also of repaving being conducted at all area airports and of consulting opportunitiES.

Event sponsors were: Arup; Weidlinger Associates, Inc.; DMJM Harris; MSD Visual; Port Authority of NY & NJ; R.S. Knapp Co.; Parsons; THE Partnership; NJ Transit and Naik Consulting Group.