Broad Cross-Section of Groups Expresses Support for ARC Tunnel Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 20, 2010
CONTACT:
Jay Corbalis, Policy Analyst, (609) 393-0008 ext. 110
TRENTON — The potential cancelling of the ARC tunnel brought together organizations from many issue areas to highlight the multitude of benefits the tunnel will provide and how damaging the decision to stop the tunnel will be for New Jersey residents and businesses.
“The ARC project will cut commute times, increase the reliability of NJ Transit trains, reduce traffic and greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs and housing opportunities, drive economic growth into the right places and boost property values,” the groups wrote in a letter to the governor.
“We applaud your efforts to rein in costs — but also urge you to work with the Port Authority of NY/NJ and the Federal Transit Administration to keep the project on time, on budget and moving forward,” the letter continued. “Through cooperation among the three lead agencies, we trust that a solution can be developed to address the funding of this transformative project.”
The Regional Plan Association, a signer of the letter, has estimated that the ARC project will double the number of households in New Jersey within a 50-minute commute to Manhattan, and increase the value of New Jersey residences close to train stations by more than $18 billion over eight years. The project is also expected to create 6,000 construction jobs and 44,000 new permanent jobs.
The letter, as well as postcards, petitions and commuter stories will be delivered to the Governor’s office tomorrow at 11:30 am by representatives of New Jersey Future, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign and the Regional Plan Association.
A complete list of the letter’s signers:
American Council of Engineering Companies of New Jersey
Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions
Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen Local 84
Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ
DE BIASSE & SEMINARA ARCHITECTS, PC
Edison Chamber of Commerce
Environment NJ
Fair Share Housing Center
Fund for Environment and Urban Life
Greater Newark Conservancy
Greater Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition
GreenFaith
Housing and Community Development Network of NJ
Hudson County Central Labor Council AFL-CIO
IBEW Local 604
NCFO District 32BJ/SEIU
New Jersey American Planning Association
New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition
New Jersey Environmental Lobby
New Jersey Future
Next Step: People with Disabilities for Social and Economic Justice, Inc.
New Jersey PIRG
New Jersey Policy Perspective
Pinelands Preservation Alliance
PlanSmart NJ
Pratt Center for Community Development
Regional Plan Association
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
Upper Raritan Watershed Association
United Transportation Union-NJ
Young Real Estate Professionals of New Jersey
