Port Authority authorizes $1 billion for Bayonne Bridge solution
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners has officially agreed to set aside up to $1 billion to raise the height of the Bayonne Bridge to keep the port of New York and New Jersey viable for future shipping.
The Bayonne Bridge, which is 78 years old, has a current clearance of between 151 to 156 feet. The bridge is too low to accommodate future container vessels.
“This funding is a vital step towards ensuring the job security of over 260,000 employees whose livelihoods are generated by activity in the Port of New York and New Jersey,” said Rep. Albio Sires. “Finding a solution to this issue is one of my top priorities in Congress. It is imperative that large vessels are able to patronize our ports so that economic success can be generated in the region.”
Bayonne Mayor Mark A. Smith also hailed the decision to invest in a solution to the Bayonne Bridge height issue. The mayor commended Director Chris Ward and Deputy Director Bill Baroni for their foresight in moving this important project forward.
“The Port Authority has focused their attention on this important issue in recent months,” said Smith. “A comprehensive planning analysis has been underway to identify the best way to raise the bridge height. Once the study is complete, they will have a clearer picture regarding which option is best for the region and the communities of Bayonne and Staten Island.”
In 2014, the Panama Canal will widen and larger ships will visit the East Coast. These ships will not be able to pass under the Bayonne Bridge at its current height. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is in the process of undertaking a comprehensive study to examine which potential solutions are the most feasible.
Potential solutions include: (1) jacking the bridge, (2) creating a lift bridge mechanism, (3) building a new bridge and (4) replacing the bridge with a tunnel. Upon completion of the Port Authority study expected at years end, the most environmentally sound and cost effective approaches will be determined. Local and state officials have been working with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and members of Congress to reach a solution.
“A cost-effective and expedient solution is needed to protect local jobs and facilitate an effective goods movement,” said Sires. “I will continue to fight for federal funding to address this important issue.”
Smith said he has been in regular communication with Mr. Baroni and he appreciates the fact that the authority has taken the local community’s concerns into consideration as the process moves forward. Smith has commissioned a citizens advisory board on the Bayonne Bridge chaired by Bayonne resident and attorney James Flynn. The Port Authority has been an active participant in that process as well.
“From the very beginning, we staked out two important positions; first and foremost, any solution to the Bayonne Bridge issue must not adversely impact Bayonne’s neighborhoods and second, the bridge issue must be addressed,” said Smith. “These dual positions have been our guiding principles. We understand and support the need to modify the bridge to accommodate modern mega-ships. The Port Authority understands that we will fight to preserve Bayonne homes.”
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey support over a quarter of a million jobs in the region and over $11 billion in personal income.
“The region must be prepared to accommodate these super vessels or we run the risk of losing our position as the premier port on the East Coast,” said Smith. “I thank the Port Authority, Chairman Tony Coscia, Governor Chris Christie, Sen. Robert Menendez, Sen. Frank Lautenberg, Congressman Albio Sires, Director Chris Ward and Deputy Director Bill Baroni for their leadership on this critical issue that will preserve jobs and businesses for the entire region.”
Chiappone sentenced to one year probation
Former Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone was sentenced on Sept. 17 to one year probation after he pleaded guilty in June to misappropriation of campaign funds.
The case was postponed from Sept. 10 because of Jewish holy days, according to Chiappone.
Attorney General Paula T. Dow and Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor announced that Chiappone was sentenced for filing false reports with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC).
According to Director Taylor, Chiappone, 52, of Bayonne, who formerly represented the 31st Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly, was sentenced to one year of probation and fined $5,000 by Superior Court Judge Gerald J. Council in Mercer County. Chiappone pleaded guilty on June 25 to a third-degree charge of tampering with public records or information. As a result of the guilty plea, Chiappone was required to forfeit his seat in the Assembly and is permanently barred from holding public office in New Jersey.
“It’s never easy to go through something like this,” Chiappone said during a phone interview after his being sentenced.
But he said this shuts the door on one part of his life and opens the door on another, allowing him to get back to being a businessman in the community. Shortly after pleading guilty last June, he opened an antique store in Jersey City, which he said is doing well.
“I resigned as a result of the plea agreement,” he said. “Now I’m enjoying my private life.”
He described politics as an all-consuming passion that tends to take over a person’s life.
“I’m not sure I would have been able to get out of politics unless I was forced out,” he said. “I’m just not happy about the way it ended. But I’m not bitter and I hold no animosity against anybody. I want to start out on a positive note. I’m happy it’s over.”
While he will have to report to a probation officer for the next year, the legal issues that hung over his head since the investigation started in May 2009 are gone.
“It’s a matter of going on and being positive,” he said. “I intend to help people if I can the way I had as an elected official – perhaps through my business and charities.”
Harbor View Park open despite storm damage
The Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority announced that Harbor View Park remains open despite damage from the storm that took place on Thursday, September 16. A fence in the park was damaged by the storm. Park visitors are urged to avoid the damaged area. Harbor View Park is located at the eastern tip of the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor. The Bayonne Fire Department responded to over 25 storm related calls beginning around 5:30 p.m. and included falling trees, damaged fences, downed power lines, road signs and even an overturned Public Works construction trailer. The IMTT facility was hit particularly hard, suffering damage to approximately twenty large diameter tanks as well as other damage.
POW/MIA month commemorated on Sept. 25
On Saturday Sept. 25 at 1 p.m., Unit 19 American Legion Auxiliary will be holding a ceremony at Fitzpatrick Park on 27th St. and Avenue C to honor those who never came back from military conflicts. Over 88,000 men and women since World War II are still POW/MIA.
“ We would like to invite all veterans, their families and all the people from Bayonne to come out and pay their respects to those heroes that have yet to return,” Roberta Buchanan, Unit 19 ALA president, said.