Port Authority announces Bridge closures
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has announced closures of the Bayonne Bridge as part of the “Raise the Roadway” Navigational Clearance Project.
The remaining multi-hour closures for this week are Thursday, May 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday morning.
The closures are weather dependent.
The bridge will be open on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25.
For email alerts on project closures and other information, subscribe to eAlerts at www.PA.alerts.com.
Upgrade infrastructure before mass-scale tragedy, candidate says
Matthew Kopko, a candidate for New Jersey Assembly’s 31 Legislative District, said on May 14
that the nation’s transportation infrastructure must be improved to avoid a mass-scale loss of life.
He made his remarks following the Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia.
“The American Society of Civil Engineers has consistently graded America near the bottom of developed nations in terms of the quality of our infrastructure,” Kopko said. “This is not news. … This is not just an economic issue or one of comfort; it is about human lives, public safety.”
“Infrastructure development creates economic growth that easily pays for itself after a few years,” said Kopko, who wrote his thesis while at Princeton University on the benefits of infrastructure development.
“Unfortunately our nation’s railway systems are from the 1800s, and it shows,” he said. “We do not have roadways that have kept up with the growth in usage, and we are not doing enough to maintain and build the world-class seaports we once had. Bayonne, once a proud port city, is not even considered one in today’s economy.”
Kopko said that New Jersey’s infrastructure is among the worst in the nation, ranking near the bottom, at 42nd.
Marist students accepted to Naval STEM program
Marist High School sophomores Demetrius Holliman and Sydney Tse recently received their letters of acceptance to the United States Naval Academy’s Summer STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) Program in Annapolis, Md.
Demetrius and Sydney will be joining approximately 200 high-achieving juniors from all over the United States at the prestigious weeklong program.
Participants gain exposure to one of the top five engineering programs in the country, as reported by U.S. News & World Report.
“I wanted to attend the Naval Academy’s summer STEM Program because the Naval Academy is a very prestigious school and this is a very competitive program,” said Sydney.
“I want to be a mechanical engineer, and I think this program will help prepare me for my career,” Demetrius said.
In order to be eligible for the program, students must demonstrate superior academic performance, including a high grade point average and class standing, and/or success in college entrance examinations.
Selection is also based on accomplishments out of the classroom.
Chamber announces membership breakfast
The Bayonne Chamber of Commerce invites all current and prospective members of the chamber to attend the organization’s Annual Membership Continental Breakfast on Wednesday, June 3, at 7:30 a.m. at the Chandelier Restaurant, 1081 Broadway.
“Please join us for this valuable opportunity to network with fellow business colleagues, engage with guest speakers, and discover what the Bayonne Chamber is all about,” said a spokesperson. “We look forward to seeing you at the breakfast.”
The guest speaker will be Michael Valletta, assistant director of priority capital programs for the
Tunnels, Bridges, and Terminals Department of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.
The breakfast is free for all Chamber members and $10 for non-members.
Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m., and the program will start at 8:30 a.m.
For more information, email info@bayonnechamber.org.
GCT Bayonne takes home logistics award
GCT USA was presented with the Global Logistics award for its successful GCT Bayonne expansion project.
The presentation took place on May 11 during the World Trade Week NY International Trade Awards at a special breakfast ceremony honoring achievements in the trade and transportation industry.
Located in one of the densest consumer markets, the GCT Bayonne Expansion Project is the first Brownfield container terminal in the western hemisphere to be converted to semi-automation. “Completed last year, the semi-automated terminal is now the most advanced facility on the continent,” a GCT spokesperson said.
David Brady, GCT USA’s vice president of administration, accepted the award on behalf of the entire expansion team.
In its tenth year, the International Trade Awards Breakfast recognizes important and innovative achievements in the trade and transportation industry.
Actor performing in “Elves and the Shoemaker”
Bayonne resident Richard Dwyer will perform in The Hudson Theatre Ensemble Silly on Sixth Children’s Series “The Elves and the Shoemaker” in the role of Mortz.
The performances are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturdays, June 13 and 20, and on Sunday, June 14, and run about 40 minutes.
All tickets are $10, and are available by calling (201) 377-7014 or emailing reservations@HudsonTheatreEnsemble.com.
The theater is at The Hudson School, 601 Park Ave., Hoboken.
The Elves and the Shoemaker will delight children ages 3 to 10, while entertaining their families as well, according to Dwyer.
“Our new musical version of this old favorite loved by generations of children is wonderful for kids and adults alike both for its engaging and zany fun as well as its gentle story of the value of kindness, hard work, gratitude, and good deeds,” a spokesman said.
The ground-floor theater is air-conditioned, child-friendly, and is completely barrier-free and accessible to persons with disabilities.