NY&NJ move to resolve air draft problem of Bayonne Bridge

THE Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is fast-tracking a review of environmental issues to help speed modification or replacement of the Bayonne Bridge.

The move effectively supports a double-track process begun last year with a comprehensive ongoing planning analysis of alternatives to address height concerns regarding the bridge.

The bi-state port authority shares the concerns of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, the state legislature and the shipping industry regarding the Bayonne Bridge air draft constraints and is committed to identifying a cost-effective solution. Last summer, the agency began a US$10 million planning analysis to determine how best to address navigational issues posed by the larger ships, it said.

With bigger ships expected to start calling on the region's port facilities upon expansion of the Panama Canal by mid-decade, the agency is expediting efforts to determine a cost-effective solution to address the low-clearance issues posed by the current height of the bridge's vehicular deck, a statement from Port Authorities said.

Options include modifying the existing bridge by jacking up the current 151-foot road deck, creating a lift-bridge mechanism at the centre of the span or building a new taller bridge or tunnel below the river.

Port authority has also authorised spending $1.7 million to keep the bridge's structure in a good condition. This funding will help develop plans for a structural steel rehabilitation project to ensure the span's integrity.

This announcement coincides with the fifth anniversary of TNT's unique ARN.

"TNT has had brisk and growing demand for its road solutions in the last five years. Capacity on the ARN has grown over 20 per cent year on year. At the same time, volume between 2009 and 2010 (year to date) has grown by 70 per cent. In Singapore alone, volume growth grew by 52 per cent between January 2009 and January 2010," it said.

Onno Boots, regional managing director of TNT South East Asia and India said, "Five years ago, we announced our intention to develop a road network in Asia, very much like our Europe Road Network.

"We were the first to attempt such an ambitious project in Asia, and we faced a set of unique challenges. TNT did what we do best, which was to innovate, facilitate and create an unrivalled road network that offers our customers a combination of cost efficiency, speed, security and reliability. Over the years, we have seen the profile of freight diversify to include more high-value goods, such as electronics, healthcare products and automotive and industrial equipment."

In the future, TNT expects to see a further shift in transportation from air to road as the ARN and other international transport routes continue to develop.

"TNT understands that air freight will continue to be an attractive proposition for companies with time-sensitive requirements. To facilitate a complete door-to-door solution within Asia, TNT decided to invest into the development of a regional hub located in Singapore two years ago. This integrated air and road hub was specifically built, at a cost of around S$20 million (US$14.3 million), to allow a seamless link between our air and road services. Basically, if the trucks were any closer to the planes, they'd be on them."
(Source:www.schednet.com)