“Our Infrastructure Matters” is a news program highlighting important infrastructure projects and issues throughout the region. From roads and bridges to rails and tunnels. From the energy and communications grids to drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater.
Episode 10 includes the following segments:
- Airports – New Jersey’s Aviation Legacy – 0:58
- The Delaware and Raritan Canal – 9:46
- Training for Operating Engineers – 16:46
- Delivering Clean Water – 19:27
- The Truth in Your Electric Bill – 22:42
See the schedule on News 12 +
http://news12.plus/new-jersey/
Additional Episodes:
https://tristateinfrastructurenews.com/infrastructure-matters/
Transcript:
1 01:01:00,823 --> 01:01:04,160 When we think about new Jersey infrastructure, we usually picture 2 01:01:04,160 --> 01:01:07,163 highways, rail lines, ports and pipelines. 3 01:01:07,330 --> 01:01:10,733 But long before route one or the Northeast Corridor Railroad, 4 01:01:10,967 --> 01:01:12,635 there was another transportation 5 01:01:12,635 --> 01:01:15,605 spine running quietly through the heart of the state. 6 01:01:15,672 --> 01:01:17,006 It was hand dug. 7 01:01:17,006 --> 01:01:20,410 It reshaped cities, and it still matters today. 8 01:01:20,810 --> 01:01:24,080 This is the story of the Delaware and Raritan Canal. 9 01:01:25,014 --> 01:01:26,983 The idea of cutting a canal across 10 01:01:26,983 --> 01:01:29,986 new Jersey is older than the United States itself. 11 01:01:30,086 --> 01:01:35,591 In 1676, William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania, proposed creating 12 01:01:35,591 --> 01:01:39,662 a water route across what he called the narrow waist of new Jersey. 13 01:01:40,263 --> 01:01:44,801 His goal was ambitious a protected inland passage connecting Philadelphia 14 01:01:44,801 --> 01:01:48,337 to New York Harbor, avoiding the dangerous Atlantic route. 15 01:01:48,805 --> 01:01:51,507 Penn even ordered a survey to see if it was possible 16 01:01:51,507 --> 01:01:54,610 to cut away across the country to Sandy Hook. 17 01:01:55,044 --> 01:01:59,816 No record survives that the survey ever happened, but the idea never disappeared. 18 01:02:00,383 --> 01:02:03,853 For the next hundred years, the concept slipped quietly 19 01:02:03,853 --> 01:02:07,957 while colonies grew, fought a revolution, and became a nation. 20 01:02:08,524 --> 01:02:12,028 But by the early 1800s, America turned its attention 21 01:02:12,028 --> 01:02:16,866 to internal improvements, and new Jersey found itself at the center of everything. 22 01:02:17,700 --> 01:02:21,003 By the 1820s, enthusiasm for a canal linking 23 01:02:21,003 --> 01:02:24,006 New York and Philadelphia reached a fever pitch. 24 01:02:24,407 --> 01:02:27,410 But there was a problem. Railroads. 25 01:02:27,677 --> 01:02:32,148 New Jersey lawmakers were split between canal supporters and railroad advocates. 26 01:02:32,548 --> 01:02:36,185 Each side was powerful, and each side blocked the other. 27 01:02:36,652 --> 01:02:40,923 The stalemate ended in 1830 with a uniquely new Jersey compromise. 28 01:02:41,524 --> 01:02:44,727 The legislature chartered both and then merged them, 29 01:02:44,927 --> 01:02:48,931 creating a canal rail partnership known as the Joint Companies. 30 01:02:49,365 --> 01:02:54,103 The Delaware and Raritan Canal Company and the Camden and Amboy Railroad. 31 01:02:54,437 --> 01:02:57,440 Construction on both began the same year. 32 01:02:57,507 --> 01:03:02,411 By 1833, the railroad was running from Bordentown to South Amboy. 33 01:03:02,912 --> 01:03:06,282 Parts of the canal opened at the same time, but the full canal 34 01:03:06,282 --> 01:03:09,285 wouldn't be completed until 1834. 35 01:03:09,886 --> 01:03:13,890 On June 25th, 1834, the canal officially opened. 36 01:03:14,357 --> 01:03:17,894 Governor Peter Dumont's room boarded a ceremonial barge 37 01:03:17,894 --> 01:03:20,229 for a two day journey across the state. 38 01:03:20,229 --> 01:03:23,232 At every lock and bridge, crowds cheered. 39 01:03:23,766 --> 01:03:26,736 In New Brunswick, he was greeted with a 24 gun 40 01:03:26,736 --> 01:03:29,739 salute and a brass band parade through the city. 41 01:03:30,072 --> 01:03:34,310 The canal itself formed a giant meandering “Y” across new Jersey, 42 01:03:34,877 --> 01:03:37,880 44 miles from Bordentown to New Brunswick, 43 01:03:38,447 --> 01:03:41,818 a 22 mile feeder canal from Raven Rock to Trenton. 44 01:03:42,451 --> 01:03:45,421 The engineering was remarkably sophisticated. 45 01:03:45,421 --> 01:03:48,591 The feeder canal was six feet deep and 50ft wide. 46 01:03:49,091 --> 01:03:51,160 The main canal was seven feet deep. 47 01:03:51,160 --> 01:03:54,497 Later expanded to eight and 75ft wide. 48 01:03:54,964 --> 01:03:57,934 Seven locks lifted boats up to Trenton. 49 01:03:57,934 --> 01:04:01,637 Seven more brought them back down to sea level at the Raritan River. 50 01:04:02,338 --> 01:04:05,341 Stone riprap lined the banks to prevent erosion. 51 01:04:05,775 --> 01:04:10,079 Swing bridges pivoted sideways so vessels of any mast height could pass. 52 01:04:10,479 --> 01:04:15,585 By 1868, even the locks were powered by steam, and once built, 53 01:04:15,751 --> 01:04:19,121 the canal barely needed modification for the next century. 54 01:04:20,022 --> 01:04:22,758 But this achievement came at a price. 55 01:04:22,758 --> 01:04:26,596 Most of the canal was dug by hand by Irish immigrant laborers. 56 01:04:27,129 --> 01:04:30,600 In 1832, cholera swept through the work camps. 57 01:04:30,933 --> 01:04:33,936 Dozens, possibly hundreds, died. 58 01:04:34,003 --> 01:04:36,439 They were buried in unmarked mass graves 59 01:04:36,439 --> 01:04:40,276 at Bull's Island, Ten Mile Run and Griggstown. 60 01:04:41,310 --> 01:04:44,213 In 2003, a granite monument 61 01:04:44,213 --> 01:04:47,984 cut from a former canal lock was dedicated to their memory. 62 01:04:48,618 --> 01:04:52,021 It stands today as a reminder that infrastructure is built 63 01:04:52,221 --> 01:04:56,058 not just with money and materials, but with human lives. 64 01:04:57,560 --> 01:05:00,229 A canal journey from Bordentown to New Brunswick 65 01:05:00,229 --> 01:05:03,299 took nearly two days, but that was revolutionary. 66 01:05:03,833 --> 01:05:06,469 Before the canal, shipping goods from Philadelphia 67 01:05:06,469 --> 01:05:09,472 to New York by sea could take two weeks. 68 01:05:09,538 --> 01:05:12,541 The canal transformed cities at its ends. 69 01:05:12,808 --> 01:05:15,411 Trenton's population quadrupled. 70 01:05:15,411 --> 01:05:19,682 Ironworks, ceramic factories and manufacturers surged in. 71 01:05:20,349 --> 01:05:24,320 But the canal's greatest beneficiaries were New York and Pennsylvania. 72 01:05:24,887 --> 01:05:28,491 Pennsylvania anthracite coal destined for New York's 73 01:05:28,491 --> 01:05:31,761 furnaces and homes became the canal's lifeblood. 74 01:05:32,061 --> 01:05:35,932 At its peak in 1871, nearly 3 million 75 01:05:35,932 --> 01:05:40,102 tons of freight passed through the canal, more than the Erie Canal carried 76 01:05:40,102 --> 01:05:41,837 That same year. 77 01:05:41,837 --> 01:05:46,008 And it wasn't just canal boats, sailboats, steam tugs, yachts, 78 01:05:46,342 --> 01:05:49,412 and even naval vessels passed through this narrow waterway. 79 01:05:50,346 --> 01:05:52,415 Ironically, the canal's decline 80 01:05:52,415 --> 01:05:55,851 began with its own partner in 1871. 81 01:05:55,952 --> 01:05:59,689 The Pennsylvania Railroad leased the canal and its rail connection 82 01:05:59,922 --> 01:06:02,925 for 999 years. 83 01:06:02,925 --> 01:06:06,295 From that moment on, canal traffic steadily fell. 84 01:06:06,896 --> 01:06:08,531 Railroads were faster. 85 01:06:08,531 --> 01:06:09,932 They ran day and night. 86 01:06:09,932 --> 01:06:11,934 They didn't freeze in the winter. 87 01:06:11,934 --> 01:06:17,106 By 1893, the canal was operating at a loss and never recovered. 88 01:06:17,606 --> 01:06:21,043 Some historians believe the railroad intentionally starved 89 01:06:21,043 --> 01:06:24,981 the canal of maintenance while favoring rail shipments with lower rates. 90 01:06:25,548 --> 01:06:28,784 In 1933, the canal closed for the winter. 91 01:06:29,218 --> 01:06:30,987 It never reopened. 92 01:06:30,987 --> 01:06:34,623 Four years later, ownership reverted to the state of new Jersey. 93 01:06:35,958 --> 01:06:38,327 Yet the canal wasn't finished. 94 01:06:38,327 --> 01:06:41,330 As industry spread out in the 1930s and 40s. 95 01:06:41,464 --> 01:06:45,634 They needed water and the canal could provide it cheaper than wells. 96 01:06:46,135 --> 01:06:49,772 So the canal reinvented itself, not as a transportation 97 01:06:49,772 --> 01:06:52,775 corridor, but as a water supply system. 98 01:06:52,975 --> 01:06:57,146 Parts were filled in, including a section in Trenton that became route one. 99 01:06:57,747 --> 01:07:00,750 Other sections were modernized with concrete structures, 100 01:07:00,783 --> 01:07:03,786 steel gates, and improved flow systems. 101 01:07:03,786 --> 01:07:08,958 In 1973, the canal was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 102 01:07:09,425 --> 01:07:13,029 One year later, Citizen Advocacy helped create the Delaware 103 01:07:13,029 --> 01:07:16,032 and Raritan Canal State Park. 104 01:07:16,198 --> 01:07:19,702 Today, more than a million people visit the canal each year. 105 01:07:20,136 --> 01:07:23,472 It's a recreational corridor, a conservation link, 106 01:07:23,973 --> 01:07:28,944 a historic landmark, and it still supplies water to industry. 107 01:07:28,978 --> 01:07:30,446 Agriculture and drinking 108 01:07:30,446 --> 01:07:34,216 water systems serving nearly 1 million new Jersey residents. 109 01:07:34,850 --> 01:07:37,853 This canal helped build city's power industry 110 01:07:38,054 --> 01:07:40,556 and shaped the economy of an entire region. 111 01:07:41,524 --> 01:07:44,193 The Delaware and Raritan Canal reminds us 112 01:07:44,193 --> 01:07:48,164 that infrastructure doesn't disappear when its original purpose ends. 113 01:07:48,564 --> 01:07:52,001 When we preserve it, adapt it, and understand its history. 114 01:07:52,201 --> 01:07:56,138 It continues to serve us in ways its builders could never have imagined. 115 01:07:56,639 --> 01:08:00,076 And that's why our infrastructure matters. 116 01:08:01,143 --> 01:08:04,346 Clean water delivered straight to your home. 117 01:08:04,547 --> 01:08:07,283 It's something most people take for granted. 118 01:08:07,283 --> 01:08:11,353 But in new Jersey, aging, drinking water infrastructure is leaking, 119 01:08:11,353 --> 01:08:14,356 crumbling and in urgent need of repair. 120 01:08:14,590 --> 01:08:16,292 In some cities, like Newark. 121 01:08:16,292 --> 01:08:20,896 Up to 40% of the water is lost before it even reaches the tap. 122 01:08:21,363 --> 01:08:25,267 And New Jersey's drinking water travels through a complex network 123 01:08:25,701 --> 01:08:30,806 stored in dams and reservoirs, filtered through treatment plants and delivered 124 01:08:30,806 --> 01:08:35,778 through a labyrinth of underground pipes, many of them over a century old. 125 01:08:36,445 --> 01:08:39,448 This system serves over 9 million residents. 126 01:08:39,582 --> 01:08:42,351 But it wasn't built to last forever. 127 01:08:42,351 --> 01:08:44,587 In Newark alone, 40% 128 01:08:44,587 --> 01:08:47,590 of the city's drinking water is lost to leaks. 129 01:08:47,790 --> 01:08:52,428 Statewide, the number is over 130 million gallons per day, 130 01:08:52,728 --> 01:08:55,464 enough to supply entire towns. 131 01:08:55,464 --> 01:08:58,734 Lead pipes still buried beneath thousands of homes 132 01:08:59,135 --> 01:09:02,138 pose a health risk to children and families. 133 01:09:02,338 --> 01:09:05,908 Old valves and undersized mains can't meet today's 134 01:09:05,908 --> 01:09:08,911 demands or tomorrow's emergencies. 135 01:09:09,411 --> 01:09:12,882 New Jersey also relies on more than 1600 136 01:09:12,882 --> 01:09:15,885 dams to hold drinking water in reservoirs. 137 01:09:16,085 --> 01:09:20,723 Many were built in the 1950s and 60s, and dozens are now considered 138 01:09:20,723 --> 01:09:25,060 high hazard, meaning failure would endanger lives downstream. 139 01:09:25,761 --> 01:09:27,096 Like water mains. 140 01:09:27,096 --> 01:09:29,999 Our dam infrastructure needs modernization 141 01:09:29,999 --> 01:09:33,002 before small issues become disasters. 142 01:09:33,802 --> 01:09:36,972 Rebuilding drinking water systems is no easy job. 143 01:09:37,473 --> 01:09:40,910 Operating engineers are the men and women trained to do it. 144 01:09:41,243 --> 01:09:44,346 Operating heavy machinery, laying new mains 145 01:09:44,613 --> 01:09:47,616 and repairing dams with pinpoint precision. 146 01:09:48,050 --> 01:09:52,254 They complete thousands of hours of training to keep water clean, safe 147 01:09:52,488 --> 01:09:54,123 and flowing. 148 01:09:54,123 --> 01:09:56,892 Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law. 149 01:09:56,892 --> 01:10:01,430 Over $1 billion is coming to new Jersey for water system upgrades. 150 01:10:01,931 --> 01:10:04,600 That means safer drinking water, stronger 151 01:10:04,600 --> 01:10:07,570 dams, and thousands of union jobs. 152 01:10:07,803 --> 01:10:09,672 But we can't stop now. 153 01:10:09,672 --> 01:10:12,675 The future of clean water depends on steady investment 154 01:10:12,741 --> 01:10:15,744 and skilled workers ready to build it. 155 01:10:15,844 --> 01:10:19,048 What goes down the drain doesn't just disappear. 156 01:10:19,448 --> 01:10:22,851 New Jersey's wastewater systems are aging, overloaded, 157 01:10:23,152 --> 01:10:26,155 and in many places, dangerously outdated. 158 01:10:26,789 --> 01:10:30,359 Wastewater systems carry used water from homes and businesses 159 01:10:30,359 --> 01:10:34,296 to treatment plants where it's cleaned and returned to the environment. 160 01:10:34,697 --> 01:10:37,733 But much of this system is over 75 years old, 161 01:10:38,000 --> 01:10:41,003 cracked, leaking and undersized. 162 01:10:41,337 --> 01:10:45,341 In older cities, stormwater and sewage share the same pipes. 163 01:10:45,641 --> 01:10:48,611 When it rains too much, the system overflows. 164 01:10:48,877 --> 01:10:52,348 Dumping raw sewage directly into rivers and streets. 165 01:10:52,781 --> 01:10:56,285 These combined sewer overflows, or CSOs, 166 01:10:56,285 --> 01:11:00,222 are a public health hazard, and they're illegal under federal law. 167 01:11:01,323 --> 01:11:04,526 New Jersey's 200 plus wastewater treatment plants 168 01:11:04,526 --> 01:11:07,930 process billions of gallons of used water each week. 169 01:11:08,230 --> 01:11:11,267 But many plants were built decades ago and struggled 170 01:11:11,267 --> 01:11:14,270 to meet stricter environmental standards. 171 01:11:14,603 --> 01:11:17,373 Operating engineers dig deep to install 172 01:11:17,373 --> 01:11:20,409 new sewer lines, operate dewatering pumps, 173 01:11:20,609 --> 01:11:23,612 and build the pump stations that keep everything moving. 174 01:11:23,912 --> 01:11:28,550 Their expertise is critical to protecting homes, rivers and water quality. 175 01:11:29,652 --> 01:11:31,920 Thanks to new infrastructure funding. 176 01:11:31,920 --> 01:11:34,923 New Jersey is tackling CSO hotspots 177 01:11:35,090 --> 01:11:37,826 and modernizing wastewater plants. 178 01:11:37,826 --> 01:11:41,063 These upgrades protect health, improve the environment 179 01:11:41,230 --> 01:11:45,567 and create family sustaining union jobs that can't be outsourced. 180 01:11:46,602 --> 01:11:50,839 Storms are growing stronger and flooding is becoming the new normal. 181 01:11:51,407 --> 01:11:55,244 New Jersey's stormwater systems are outdated and overwhelmed. 182 01:11:55,744 --> 01:11:59,181 Stormwater systems are designed to capture rain and melting 183 01:11:59,181 --> 01:12:04,286 snow, then direct it safely into streams, rivers or treatment facilities. 184 01:12:04,753 --> 01:12:08,223 But most of New Jersey's storm drains were built decades ago 185 01:12:08,490 --> 01:12:11,260 without climate change in mind. 186 01:12:11,260 --> 01:12:14,496 Extreme storms now drop more water in less 187 01:12:14,496 --> 01:12:18,901 time, flooding homes, closing roads and threatening lives. 188 01:12:19,435 --> 01:12:22,571 Hard surfaces like roads and roofs make it worse. 189 01:12:22,671 --> 01:12:25,207 Preventing water from soaking into the ground. 190 01:12:26,175 --> 01:12:28,477 Fixing stormwater means blending 191 01:12:28,477 --> 01:12:32,715 traditional gray infrastructure with modern green techniques. 192 01:12:33,215 --> 01:12:36,685 Green solutions like rain gardens and bio swales 193 01:12:36,885 --> 01:12:41,156 soak up rain naturally, reducing the load on pipes and sewers. 194 01:12:41,457 --> 01:12:44,793 Together, they make neighborhoods more flood resistant. 195 01:12:45,561 --> 01:12:49,965 From digging retention basins to laying massive underground culverts. 196 01:12:50,132 --> 01:12:53,535 Operating engineers make resilience projects real. 197 01:12:53,969 --> 01:12:56,905 Their skill and machinery help protect communities 198 01:12:56,905 --> 01:12:59,908 from flooding before the next storm hits. 199 01:13:00,542 --> 01:13:03,545 Flooding won't stop, but we can build smarter 200 01:13:03,912 --> 01:13:08,584 with green infrastructure, smart investment and skilled union labor. 201 01:13:08,817 --> 01:13:11,820 New Jersey can lead the way in flood resilience 202 01:13:11,920 --> 01:13:15,691 and build a safer, drier, more secure future. 203 01:13:16,859 --> 01:13:19,128 When union labor and contractors 204 01:13:19,128 --> 01:13:23,298 come together for one common goal, anything can be accomplished. 205 01:13:23,365 --> 01:13:26,702 Even the engineers labor employer co-operative. 206 01:13:26,835 --> 01:13:30,873 We are the labor management fund for the International Union of Operating 207 01:13:30,873 --> 01:13:36,412 Engineers, local 825 from Kingston to Cape May and from river to river. 208 01:13:36,645 --> 01:13:38,380 We're creating the opportunities 209 01:13:38,380 --> 01:13:42,284 that spawn real economic development and building the future. 210 01:13:42,418 --> 01:13:45,487 As members of the business community and chambers 211 01:13:45,521 --> 01:13:49,124 of commerce, we create the partnerships needed to collaborate. 212 01:13:49,124 --> 01:13:49,925 Success. 213 01:13:49,925 --> 01:13:54,196 As advocates, we shape the public policy and local town halls 214 01:13:54,196 --> 01:13:58,333 and statehouses that protect our members and generate possibilities. 215 01:13:58,367 --> 01:14:02,638 We eliminate entry barriers that ensures our members are ready on day 216 01:14:02,638 --> 01:14:05,841 one for whatever work our contractors require. 217 01:14:06,041 --> 01:14:09,778 And as industry innovators, we develop grant programs 218 01:14:09,778 --> 01:14:13,949 to help our contractors compete in underrepresented market sectors. 219 01:14:14,149 --> 01:14:17,653 This is what the 21st century organized labor looks like. 220 01:14:17,920 --> 01:14:19,621 This is ELEC. 221 01:14:19,621 --> 01:14:21,490 building the infrastructure 222 01:14:21,490 --> 01:14:25,227 New York and Jersey relies on. 223 01:14:26,795 --> 01:14:30,332 Let's dig into a question a lot of new Jersey families are asking. 224 01:14:30,699 --> 01:14:35,037 Why is my electric bill so high when I haven't even used more power? 225 01:14:35,404 --> 01:14:38,407 The truth is, your bill isn't just one number. 226 01:14:38,440 --> 01:14:41,210 It's really five bills rolled into one. 227 01:14:41,210 --> 01:14:45,481 Ever wonder what the supply charges on your new Jersey energy bill really mean? 228 01:14:45,881 --> 01:14:47,082 That's the part of your bill 229 01:14:47,082 --> 01:14:50,786 that covers the actual cost of producing the electricity you use. 230 01:14:50,986 --> 01:14:55,090 The generation itself, your utility doesn't set those prices. 231 01:14:55,424 --> 01:14:58,427 They're based on market rates for power from different sources 232 01:14:58,594 --> 01:15:01,597 like natural gas, nuclear and renewables. 233 01:15:01,730 --> 01:15:05,033 When fuel prices rise or state policies change, 234 01:15:05,234 --> 01:15:09,471 supply charges can climb even if your usage stays the same. 235 01:15:09,972 --> 01:15:13,175 So next time you look at your bill, remember supply 236 01:15:13,175 --> 01:15:16,178 is what it costs to make the power not deliver it. 237 01:15:16,445 --> 01:15:19,314 When you see delivery charges on your new Jersey energy 238 01:15:19,314 --> 01:15:22,317 bill, that's not the cost of making electricity. 239 01:15:22,484 --> 01:15:26,321 It's the cost of getting that power safely to your home or business. 240 01:15:26,655 --> 01:15:30,492 Delivery charges cover the poles, wires, maintenance, customer 241 01:15:30,492 --> 01:15:33,695 service, and emergency response that keep the system running 242 01:15:33,862 --> 01:15:36,732 24 over seven in every kind of weather. 243 01:15:36,732 --> 01:15:41,203 These rates are regulated by the state, meaning your utility can't raise them 244 01:15:41,203 --> 01:15:45,374 without approval from the state via the new Jersey Board of Public Utilities. 245 01:15:45,674 --> 01:15:48,710 So while supply is what it costs to make electricity, 246 01:15:48,944 --> 01:15:53,615 delivery is what it takes to keep it flowing reliably to you and your home. 247 01:15:53,982 --> 01:15:57,419 Public policy charges are the state mandated programs 248 01:15:57,419 --> 01:15:59,321 built into your energy bill. 249 01:15:59,321 --> 01:16:02,257 They fund a clean energy, energy efficiency, 250 01:16:02,257 --> 01:16:05,260 and assistance programs for low income families. 251 01:16:05,761 --> 01:16:09,097 They fund environmental initiatives that support New Jersey's 252 01:16:09,097 --> 01:16:11,099 long term energy goals. 253 01:16:11,099 --> 01:16:12,935 These aren't utility profits. 254 01:16:12,935 --> 01:16:14,236 They're public programs 255 01:16:14,236 --> 01:16:18,340 required by state law and approved by regulators, and consumers 256 01:16:18,340 --> 01:16:22,411 are responsible for paying them. Taxes and fees on your New Jersey 257 01:16:22,411 --> 01:16:26,982 energy bill are state and local charges collected to fund government services. 258 01:16:27,382 --> 01:16:30,786 They're separate from supply and delivery, but a part of your bill 259 01:16:30,786 --> 01:16:32,955 that helps fund state efforts. 260 01:16:32,955 --> 01:16:36,725 So let's ask why are all of these pieces climbing at once? 261 01:16:37,292 --> 01:16:41,196 Starting in 2016, new Jersey started importing electricity 262 01:16:41,196 --> 01:16:45,334 from the PJM grid after a series of power plant retirements. 263 01:16:45,534 --> 01:16:49,271 The state has become even more dependent upon importing electricity 264 01:16:49,271 --> 01:16:50,606 from other states. 265 01:16:50,606 --> 01:16:54,209 The state hoped offshore wind would increase in-state electricity, 266 01:16:54,476 --> 01:16:58,313 but in 2023, Orsted pulled out of what was to be the state's 267 01:16:58,313 --> 01:17:00,248 first offshore wind farm. 268 01:17:00,248 --> 01:17:03,652 Blaming post-Covid supply chain problems and inflation 269 01:17:04,052 --> 01:17:08,223 today, new Jersey still has no credible plan for baseload power to meet 270 01:17:08,223 --> 01:17:13,829 growing demand, and the added usage from building electrification, EVs and AI. 271 01:17:14,129 --> 01:17:18,433 Instead, Trenton is betting heavily on intermittent wind and solar. 272 01:17:18,834 --> 01:17:23,939 The problem is when the sun sets or the wind stalls, the grid still needs power. 273 01:17:24,206 --> 01:17:28,644 And right now, that means scrambling for imports and other expensive means. 274 01:17:29,011 --> 01:17:31,279 That's why bills keep spiking. 275 01:17:31,279 --> 01:17:36,151 Bottom line these alternative energy sources are unproven and unreliable. 276 01:17:36,385 --> 01:17:39,421 So when we are short on supply, we pay more. 277 01:17:39,821 --> 01:17:43,692 Ultimately, the solution to New Jersey's electricity shortage is building 278 01:17:43,692 --> 01:17:48,697 additional baseload generating capacity from sources like natural gas and nuclear. 279 01:17:49,097 --> 01:17:52,801 When the world goes dark, nuclear power keeps the lights on. 280 01:17:53,135 --> 01:17:56,505 Day or night, rain or shine, it delivers steady, 281 01:17:56,672 --> 01:17:59,675 reliable energy when consumers need it most. 282 01:18:00,075 --> 01:18:02,244 While other sources depend on the weather. 283 01:18:02,244 --> 01:18:05,981 Nuclear energy runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 284 01:18:06,281 --> 01:18:10,652 quietly powering homes, hospitals and entire communities. 285 01:18:11,086 --> 01:18:13,822 And it does it without the carbon emissions. 286 01:18:13,822 --> 01:18:17,125 That's because nuclear power is the energy that never sleeps. 287 01:18:17,392 --> 01:18:20,395 Reliable, clean and always on. 288 01:18:20,562 --> 01:18:23,532 As new Jersey plans for a stable energy future. 289 01:18:23,565 --> 01:18:26,802 Natural gas is emerging as a key part of the solution. 290 01:18:27,269 --> 01:18:29,938 Abundant and widely available, natural 291 01:18:29,938 --> 01:18:33,675 gas provides reliable baseload power, keeping electricity 292 01:18:33,675 --> 01:18:37,746 flowing day and night, even when solar and wind aren't producing. 293 01:18:38,146 --> 01:18:41,083 By using natural gas strategically, new Jersey 294 01:18:41,083 --> 01:18:44,453 can help stabilize energy prices, protecting families 295 01:18:44,453 --> 01:18:48,390 and businesses from spikes while we transition to cleaner sources. 296 01:18:48,790 --> 01:18:54,029 Natural gas as part of a balanced, modern energy mix helps ensure a secure, 297 01:18:54,062 --> 01:18:58,800 affordable and reliable electricity future for everyone in the Garden State. 298 01:18:59,134 --> 01:19:02,838 Nuclear energy provides clean, steady power 24 over seven 299 01:19:02,971 --> 01:19:06,975 while natural gas is abundant and flexible, able to meet demand 300 01:19:07,109 --> 01:19:10,779 even when renewable sources like wind and solar fluctuate. 301 01:19:11,113 --> 01:19:15,951 Together, they form a foundation for a stable, affordable energy supply. 302 01:19:16,384 --> 01:19:19,788 Policymakers should focus on policies that encourage investment 303 01:19:19,788 --> 01:19:22,991 in these reliable sources, streamline regulatory 304 01:19:22,991 --> 01:19:25,994 approvals, and support infrastructure upgrades. 305 01:19:25,994 --> 01:19:29,898 All steps that help control costs for families and businesses. 306 01:19:30,165 --> 01:19:31,867 This isn't just about energy. 307 01:19:31,867 --> 01:19:33,869 It's an affordability crisis. 308 01:19:33,869 --> 01:19:36,104 Energy costs drive everything. 309 01:19:36,104 --> 01:19:40,509 If power is unaffordable, the state's affordability crisis gets worse. 310 01:19:40,842 --> 01:19:42,444 When policy is done right. 311 01:19:42,444 --> 01:19:45,981 We see reliable, clean energy at predictable prices. 312 01:19:46,081 --> 01:19:49,284 Investment in innovation and reduced carbon emissions. 313 01:19:49,618 --> 01:19:51,419 Home stay warm in winter. 314 01:19:51,419 --> 01:19:54,756 Businesses stay productive and communities thrive. 315 01:19:55,290 --> 01:19:58,894 But when policy goes wrong, the consequences hit hard. 316 01:19:59,194 --> 01:20:02,197 Unstable markets, skyrocketing prices 317 01:20:02,264 --> 01:20:06,201 and energy shortages can ripple through households and businesses alike. 318 01:20:06,535 --> 01:20:10,705 The burden falls heaviest on families already struggling to make ends meet. 319 01:20:11,273 --> 01:20:14,509 Affordability becomes a real challenge for planning 320 01:20:14,509 --> 01:20:18,547 can turn essential energy into a costly, unpredictable expense, 321 01:20:18,713 --> 01:20:21,716 impacting everything from schools to hospitals. 322 01:20:22,217 --> 01:20:25,554 Getting energy policy right is about more than kilowatts. 323 01:20:25,921 --> 01:20:30,759 It's about security, fairness and a sustainable future we can rely on. 324 01:20:31,293 --> 01:20:34,930 Until new Jersey builds around nuclear and natural gas. 325 01:20:35,197 --> 01:20:37,199 Bills will keep climbing. 326 01:20:37,199 --> 01:20:40,402 Baseload first. Everything else. Second. 327 01:20:42,003 --> 01:20:45,006 Bulldozers, excavators and cranes. 328 01:20:45,273 --> 01:20:48,877 Heavy machinery covers the lot of the operating engineers 329 01:20:48,877 --> 01:20:53,348 training center, local 825, in Dayton, new Jersey. 330 01:20:53,481 --> 01:20:57,485 It's where 7800 union members across new Jersey 331 01:20:57,485 --> 01:21:01,790 and Lower New York train before building local infrastructure. 332 01:21:01,823 --> 01:21:03,592 We have everything, almost soup to nuts 333 01:21:03,592 --> 01:21:05,594 that you would see in the construction industry. 334 01:21:05,594 --> 01:21:07,062 We teach everything here. 335 01:21:07,062 --> 01:21:10,665 Greg Lullaby, a second generation crane operator, 336 01:21:10,832 --> 01:21:13,735 now oversees the training center's operations. 337 01:21:13,735 --> 01:21:17,873 We invest in training every year because what we do is so, so critical. 338 01:21:17,973 --> 01:21:20,876 Before operating heavy equipment, pull it back to you. 339 01:21:20,876 --> 01:21:23,278 Nice and easy. The trainees start here. 340 01:21:23,278 --> 01:21:26,081 We start them out at certain, like basic skills. 341 01:21:26,081 --> 01:21:32,153 It looks like a gaming arcade using state of the art virtual reality simulators. 342 01:21:32,187 --> 01:21:33,922 Training is key. 343 01:21:33,922 --> 01:21:36,925 Different weather, different lighting. Snow. 344 01:21:37,192 --> 01:21:42,030 When training at the center is free to a limited number of students chosen. 345 01:21:42,130 --> 01:21:43,798 It's competitive too. 346 01:21:43,798 --> 01:21:46,735 Costs are covered by a union members fund. 347 01:21:46,735 --> 01:21:51,306 We have about 170 students now and then we retrain. 348 01:21:51,306 --> 01:21:55,043 A big component of what we do is taking somebody like myself, 349 01:21:55,043 --> 01:21:58,346 who may have been around 40 years, but the technology changed. 350 01:21:58,513 --> 01:22:02,083 All students, both men and women, have to undergo 351 01:22:02,083 --> 01:22:05,787 OSHA safety training and get familiar with the heavy equipment. 352 01:22:05,854 --> 01:22:09,557 They told me practicing on the simulator gives them the confidence 353 01:22:09,557 --> 01:22:11,359 they need on the heavy hitters. 354 01:22:11,359 --> 01:22:16,197 These future operators are in high demand, with major construction ramping up. 355 01:22:16,298 --> 01:22:21,670 Local 825 is bridging tradition and technology for a brighter future. 356 01:22:21,703 --> 01:22:24,239 Roxann Evans, news 12. 357 01:23:20,729 --> 01:23:23,465 Whether you're crawling through traffic on the turnpike, 358 01:23:23,698 --> 01:23:28,036 breezing through a roundabout, or dodging orange cones during a midnight 359 01:23:28,036 --> 01:23:31,906 paving project, new Jersey roads are anything but boring. 360 01:23:32,240 --> 01:23:34,275 But there's a method to the madness. 361 01:23:34,275 --> 01:23:37,312 In this video, we'll break down how our roads got here. 362 01:23:37,545 --> 01:23:38,913 Who builds them and why? 363 01:23:38,913 --> 01:23:42,417 Certain intersections get roundabouts while others get lights. 364 01:23:42,650 --> 01:23:45,420 And why so much of it happens at night. 365 01:23:45,420 --> 01:23:49,491 After World War Two, new Jersey was growing and fast. 366 01:23:49,958 --> 01:23:52,727 The traffic surge demanded new solutions. 367 01:23:52,727 --> 01:23:56,898 So in 1951, the state opened the new Jersey Turnpike, 368 01:23:57,198 --> 01:24:01,036 a straight shots, limited access toll road that spanned the state. 369 01:24:01,269 --> 01:24:05,507 It quickly became a vital artery for goods, commuters and cross-country 370 01:24:05,507 --> 01:24:06,641 travelers. 371 01:24:06,641 --> 01:24:11,479 Hot on its heels was the Garden State Parkway, built to serve not just workers 372 01:24:11,746 --> 01:24:16,484 but beach bound vacationers, scenic, tree lined and more suburban. 373 01:24:16,818 --> 01:24:20,055 It was designed for a different kind of travel experience. 374 01:24:20,422 --> 01:24:23,591 Together, these two roads transformed new Jersey 375 01:24:23,658 --> 01:24:27,595 into a commuter state and reshaped development around them. 376 01:24:28,263 --> 01:24:32,200 In 1956, President Eisenhower signed the Federal 377 01:24:32,200 --> 01:24:35,637 Aid Highway Act, launching the Interstate Highway System. 378 01:24:36,004 --> 01:24:39,374 New Jersey became a crucial highway I-95, 379 01:24:39,574 --> 01:24:43,178 I-80, I-78, I, two, 87, 380 01:24:43,411 --> 01:24:47,615 and more connected the state to New York, Philadelphia, and beyond. 381 01:24:48,149 --> 01:24:50,685 They made new Jersey one of the most heavily trafficked 382 01:24:50,685 --> 01:24:53,922 and densely paved states in the U.S.. 383 01:24:54,355 --> 01:24:57,192 Traffic lights are everywhere in new Jersey. 384 01:24:57,192 --> 01:25:01,696 Over 6000 signalized intersections control our busiest roads. 385 01:25:02,197 --> 01:25:04,999 They help manage turning movements, pedestrian 386 01:25:04,999 --> 01:25:08,002 crossings, and high volumes of vehicles. 387 01:25:08,036 --> 01:25:12,140 They're customizable and programable, but they're not always efficient. 388 01:25:12,540 --> 01:25:16,478 Long red lights caused delays, and when drivers lose patience, 389 01:25:16,711 --> 01:25:21,616 crash risks go up, especially with left turns and red light running. 390 01:25:21,983 --> 01:25:25,987 That's why newer, safer alternatives are growing in popularity. 391 01:25:26,554 --> 01:25:31,893 Enter the modern roundabout, a circular intersection where traffic keeps moving. 392 01:25:32,360 --> 01:25:35,864 Vehicles yield as they enter and travel counterclockwise. 393 01:25:36,231 --> 01:25:39,400 Unlike older traffic circles, modern roundabouts 394 01:25:39,400 --> 01:25:42,403 are designed for low speeds and high safety. 395 01:25:42,504 --> 01:25:46,107 Roundabouts reduce injury crashes by up to 80%. 396 01:25:46,508 --> 01:25:50,278 They also improve traffic flow, eliminate the need for electricity, 397 01:25:50,578 --> 01:25:53,581 and are less costly to maintain over time. 398 01:25:53,781 --> 01:25:58,253 New Jersey has been quietly adding them to suburban and even rural areas. 399 01:25:58,953 --> 01:26:03,892 A road diets might sound like cutting back, but it's actually about redesign. 400 01:26:04,259 --> 01:26:08,596 A typical road diet reduces a four lane road to two travel lanes, 401 01:26:08,863 --> 01:26:13,334 adds a center turn lane, and introduces bike or pedestrian features. 402 01:26:13,801 --> 01:26:16,838 It works best where traffic volumes don't justify 403 01:26:16,838 --> 01:26:20,375 four lanes and where speeding or crashes are a concern. 404 01:26:20,708 --> 01:26:25,880 Cities like Montclair, Hoboken and Asbury Park have adopted road diets 405 01:26:25,880 --> 01:26:30,985 to make streets calmer and more usable for everyone, not just drivers. 406 01:26:31,686 --> 01:26:34,022 While the road designs may come from traffic 407 01:26:34,022 --> 01:26:37,959 engineers, the hard work of building and maintaining them falls 408 01:26:37,959 --> 01:26:41,563 to people on the ground, especially operating engineers. 409 01:26:41,996 --> 01:26:45,733 These skilled union workers operate the machinery that lays asphalt, 410 01:26:46,100 --> 01:26:50,038 digs trenches and builds the physical infrastructure we drive on. 411 01:26:50,505 --> 01:26:52,106 It's complex work. 412 01:26:52,106 --> 01:26:54,642 The most densely populated state in the country 413 01:26:54,642 --> 01:26:58,279 has a century and more of underground water, sewer 414 01:26:58,413 --> 01:27:03,117 and natural gas pipelines to deal with, along with buried electrical cables 415 01:27:03,117 --> 01:27:07,255 and myriad environmental and land use regulations to deal with. 416 01:27:07,622 --> 01:27:10,758 A simple error can delay a project by months. 417 01:27:11,092 --> 01:27:14,495 Road paving is often done in the summer, when warm temperatures 418 01:27:14,495 --> 01:27:16,731 help asphalt bind properly. 419 01:27:16,731 --> 01:27:19,801 Cold weather can crack or crumble pavement quickly, 420 01:27:20,034 --> 01:27:23,705 and it often happens at night to reduce traffic disruptions 421 01:27:23,871 --> 01:27:26,107 and improve worker safety. 422 01:27:26,107 --> 01:27:31,045 Night paving reduces the impact on commuters, businesses, and emergency 423 01:27:31,045 --> 01:27:31,946 services. 424 01:27:31,946 --> 01:27:36,217 But it's also about safety for workers and for drivers. 425 01:27:36,517 --> 01:27:40,121 Lower traffic volumes at night mean fewer close calls. 426 01:27:40,521 --> 01:27:44,726 Crews can close more lanes, work faster and reduce their risk. 427 01:27:45,193 --> 01:27:49,430 Working at night requires additional generators to power large lighting systems 428 01:27:49,664 --> 01:27:53,735 and additional safety precautions to keep work crews and travelers safe. 429 01:27:54,302 --> 01:27:56,604 Still, it's dangerous work. 430 01:27:56,604 --> 01:28:00,108 Crews wear reflective gear, use flaggers and cones, 431 01:28:00,375 --> 01:28:03,378 and operate under strict safety protocols. 432 01:28:03,411 --> 01:28:06,180 In 2023 alone, over 800 433 01:28:06,180 --> 01:28:09,183 work zone crashes were reported in new Jersey. 434 01:28:09,417 --> 01:28:12,420 Slowing down in work zones isn't just a courtesy, 435 01:28:12,787 --> 01:28:14,889 It saves lives. 436 01:28:14,889 --> 01:28:18,893 So why does one town get a roundabout and another a traffic signal? 437 01:28:19,260 --> 01:28:22,897 It comes down to data engineers look at traffic counts, 438 01:28:22,930 --> 01:28:26,334 crash records, pedestrian usage and local input. 439 01:28:26,734 --> 01:28:31,406 Every solution is customized, and that's part of what makes new Jersey unique. 440 01:28:31,873 --> 01:28:34,075 There's no one size fits all. 441 01:28:34,075 --> 01:28:38,646 Urban, suburban, coastal, and rural communities all have different needs. 442 01:28:39,013 --> 01:28:42,116 A smart road network adapts to serve all of them. 443 01:28:42,717 --> 01:28:45,553 But why are they always working on the roads? 444 01:28:45,553 --> 01:28:48,656 Asphalt typically last 10 to 15 years 445 01:28:48,856 --> 01:28:51,859 before requiring resurfacing or repaving. 446 01:28:52,160 --> 01:28:55,096 The life span is shortened due to traffic volume. 447 01:28:55,096 --> 01:28:58,700 Winter freeze and thaw cycles, and heavy truckloads. 448 01:28:58,966 --> 01:29:01,235 In other words, new Jersey. 449 01:29:01,235 --> 01:29:02,904 And just like a sore tooth. 450 01:29:02,904 --> 01:29:08,176 Postponing or delaying maintenance only makes things more expensive and painful. 451 01:29:08,910 --> 01:29:11,612 New Jersey is investing in complete streets, 452 01:29:11,612 --> 01:29:15,583 smart traffic systems and multi-modal courts that support 453 01:29:15,583 --> 01:29:19,187 walking, biking, public transit and electric vehicles. 454 01:29:19,520 --> 01:29:22,390 With infrastructure funding and new technology. 455 01:29:22,390 --> 01:29:26,561 The state is rethinking what roads should look like in the 21st century. 456 01:29:26,994 --> 01:29:29,997 So next time you're on the parkway, looping through a roundabout 457 01:29:30,298 --> 01:29:33,234 or waiting behind a paving crew, remember 458 01:29:33,234 --> 01:29:38,172 there's planning history and hard work behind every inch of asphalt.
