NJDOT

Mike Russo, NJDOT Director of Local Aid and Economic Development gave an overview of the FY 2013 local aid grant awards, which totaled almost 82 million dollars.  Next, the NJDOT offered insight as to the methodology that goes into ranking applications.  Ratings totaling 25 points are assigned for things like project eligibility (how well it fits the funding category); road condition; traffic volume and whether the roadway accommodates a bus transit route to name a few.  The most important factor - counting for 25% of the total - is based on the applicant's past performance with respect to bidding projects within the 18 months of grant award and closing them out within 6 months of completion.

DOT continued with a summary of the changes coming with the new Federal Transportation bill MAP-21, short for Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century.  The bill provides for 105 billion dollars nationwide for the next two years, while streamlining the number of programs from 90 to 30.  He also described new procedures that include pre-qualification of local public agencies before they can even apply for Federal Aid projects.  New forms and additional information are available on the NJDOT website and on the Federal Highway Administration website.

Shukri Abuhuzeima (DOT) then talked briefly about the updates to SAGE, the online grant application and management software, which have been delayed.  In conclusion he encouraged anyone who administers Federal Aid grants to attend one of two upcoming seminars to be held in Vineland on June 14th and in Newark on June 22nd.  Online registration is being accepted on the Rutgers CAIT website.

Construction Code Officials

Panelists for the roundtable discussion included: Pete Ten-Kate (Paramus Municipal Engineer), Todd Hay (Nutley Municipal Engineer), Wayne Kierce (Jackson Building Subcode Official), and Carl Peters, former Princeton Borough Engineer and consultant, moderated the discussion.  Key conclusions were: 1) early communication/coordination is essential and 2) engineers should familiarize themselves with the DCA bulletin detailing the circumstances under which a certificate of occupancy can be denied.

Subsurface Surveying and Photogrammetry

Paul Emilius provided an informative presentation on new ground-penetrating radar technology and its advantages as a non-destructive way to locate both metallic and non-metallic subsurface utilities.  He also provided a great overview of other technologies such as the M-scope, LIDAR and traditional photogrammetry, now updated to the digital age.