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Christie Committed to Fixing Bridge Problem

Gov. Christie woos business leaders in New Brunswick | APP.com | Asbury Park Press: "Christie also said he is committed to investing the time and money to fix the Bayonne Bridge, which has too low of a clearance to accommodate new super-sized cargo ships. Christie said fixing the problem is vital for the state's economy and would also send a positive message to the state's business community."

Hyundai Voyager Passing Under Bayonne Bridge

Hyundai Voyager Passing Under Bayonne Bridge: "Hyundai Voyager clears the Bayonne Bridge as she transits the Kill van Kull in this January 9, 2010 photo."

Senate Panel Approves Resolution Urging Port Authority to Address Height Restrictions at Bayonne Bridge

The Senate Transportation Committee today approved a measure sponsored by Senators Nicholas J. Sacco and Sandra B. Cunningham calling for a plan of action to ensure that the Port of New York and New Jersey remains a major destination point for worldwide cargo by addressing shipping clearance limitations at the Bayonne Bridge.

'Without action to address this issue, the region stands to lose roughly 270,000 jobs generated by the Port of New York and New Jersey' said Sen. Sacco (D-Bergen/Hudson). 'If we don't ease the restricted shipping access at the Bayonne Bridge, New Jersey will face a huge competitive disadvantage that would have far-reaching implications on our economy.'

The measure (SR-47), which was approved unanimously, urges the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to formulate an engineering and funding solution to the impasse at the Bayonne Bridge while seeking financial assistance from available federal transportation programs.

'The Bayonne Bridge is critical to the region's economic infrastructure,' said Sen. Cunningham (D-Hudson). 'Given the increasingly competitive nature of the global economy, we stand to lose between $4.4 and $17.6 billion in economic activity annually if we don't act soon. An investment in the Bayonne Bridge now will pay dividends for years to come.'

The air draft beneath the bridge varies with the tide between 151 and 156 feet. Presently, 88 percent of containerized cargo is delivered to New York and New Jersey Marine Terminals located west of the Bayonne Bridge.

With the expansion of the Panama Canal scheduled to be completed in 2014, the number of large ships requiring air clearance in excess of 151 feet will grow as more cargo is delivered directly to East Coast ports from Asia. If the bridge remains too low to accommodate these larger ships, the Port of New York and New Jersey will be put at a competitive disadvantage with ports in Norfolk, Virginia, Charleston, South Carolina, Savannah, Georgia, and Halifax, Nova Scotia for access to new Asian cargo.

In September 2009, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey commissioned the New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to look at the commercial consequences of and the economic benefits generated by the air draft restriction imposed by the current height of the Bayonne Bridge. The Army Corps of Engineers validated the need to increase the air clearance from 151 feet to at least 215 feet, which is the available air clearance under the Bridge of the Americas on the Panama Canal.

The resolution now heads to the full Senate for final approval. Once approved, signed copies of the resolution will be transmitted to various elected officials, including: Governor Christie; the Governor of New York; the Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; the President and Minority Leader of the New Jersey Senate; the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate; the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives; and every
member of New Jersey's Congressional delegation."

Christie Stumps in Bayonne, Says Bayonne Bridge High on Agenda

Hudson Reporter - Christie stumps in Bayonne for proposed state cuts: "Both during that prior meeting and the visit to Bayonne, Christie said the fate of the Bayonne Bridge was high on his agenda, noting that the ports along Newark Bay were too valuable an economic engine for Northern New Jersey to allow shipping to go elsewhere along the East Coast. With a new fleet on container ships about to arrive, Bayonne Bridge poses an obstacle and will either have to be replaced or raised."

Public Opposition Kills Proposed Truck Depot in Franklin Twp.

Public opposition killed the proposed truck depot in Franklin Twp. (Warren): "The surprise announcement blamed a host of factors, including the economy, the cost of upgrading the site’s electric service and the Bayonne Bridge’s height."

Bayonne Bridge

Bayonne Bridge from Bergen Point

In Port Today: Atlantic Compass

In port today: Atlantic Compass is a regular visitor | - SILive.com: "The Swedish-flagged containership Atlantic Compass, call sign SKUN, is a regular visitor to the Port of New York and New Jersey. She entered the Kill van Kull at about 6 a.m. this morning, inbound from Halifax, Nova Scotia and headed for Newark Bay."

Sunady Morning - March 7, 2010

The MSC Tanzania passes under the bridge. 

Region's Bigger Ports Set Out to Attract More Business

Region's bigger ports set out to attract more business, too | delawareonline.com | The News Journal: "At the Port of New York and New Jersey, which handles more than half the port traffic on the East Coast, the channels into the port are being dredged to 50 feet. The port is updating its road network and improving the rail system, and planning for future expansion, said Steve Coleman, a spokesman for the port there. In 2010 alone, the port is spending $130 million on all of the non-dredging upgrades, he said.

It still must contend with the nearby Bayonne Bridge, which limits the size of ships that can approach the port. The New Jersey state Assembly last month passed a resolution calling on the Port Authority to raise or replace the bridge."

Video: Assembly Members Discuss Bridge Legislation

Bayonne Bridge Videos & Clips | NJ.com: "In this video press release, Assembly members Albert Coutinho (D-Essex), Joan M. Quigley (D-Hudson) and John S. Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) discuss legislation sponsored by Coutinho emphasizing the importance of addressing the Bayonne Bridge's low ship clearance."

Bridge "has got to go", says Assemblyman DeCroce

Party Cooperation Is Key to Recovery: "According to DeCroce, the Bayonne Bridge “has to go.”"

Largest Ship Ever to Clear the Bayonne Bridge

In port today: Northern Jasper, trading boxes at Port Newark, is the largest ship ever to clear the Bayonne Bridge | - SILive.com: "The containership Northern Jasper, call sign A8TA3, arrived at the Port Newark Container Terminal on Wednesday. Reader Joseph G. Becker says the ship, which is barely a year old,is the largest such vessel ever to traverse the Kill van Kull and pass under the Bayonne Bridge."