We’ve heard it time and time again…”Newark has one of the greatest infrastructures in the country.” But what does that really mean? And how does that relate to each of us individually?
Well, one aspect of Newark (and more broadly, the NY/NJ/CT region) infrastructure that the Newark Regional Business Partnership (NRBP) is focusing it’s attention on is that of transportation. And in light of the data that quotes 25% of the US population living within a day’s drive of Newark, NJ and that this region represent 10% of the country’s GDP, you can see why transportation is a high priority. Think of it way: if you eat it, drink it, drive it, or wear it, chances are it came through Port Newark.
The symposium, hosted at The Metropolitan Room at The Newark Club touched on not only the impact and reach of the region’s transportation systems and facilities, but the lifespan of these systems and facilities as well as the importance and cost of maintenance.
Many of the transportation systems and facilities in our region – particularly those that connect NJ and NY – are between 50 and 100 years old. So, at the same time the world was getting used to Henry Ford’s Model-T and the Wright brothers were designing the Model B flyer, the major NY/NJ tunnels that are responsible for millions of commuters to work and home were just built.
Add to that, when looking at the transportation systems and facilities across the world, it’s been mentioned that this region is being consistently out-invested everywhere you look. The question then is, what does that mean for future generations? In fact, what will that mean in 20 years?
