NYC Infrastructure v2.0

The New York metro area infrastructure has been in place for more than 100 years, and in some areas, it is well past full capacity. Long term improvements are underway - like the Third Water Tunnel that will provide billions of gallons of drinking water to the city and enable workers to finally make repairs and improve the existing two tunnels that bring water from upstate reservoirs to New York City using nothing but gravity to provide all the water pressure needed throughout the city up to a height of six stories without additional pumping.

Meanwhile, the Javits Center expansion, a $1.7 billion project got a critical approval from state officials yesterday. That expansion means thousands of additional jobs and millions in revenues will come into the city.

The Port Authority is set to vote upon funding the Trans Hudson Express tunnel, which would double train capacity into New York City from New Jersey. That project is expected to cost about $7 billion, with the Port Authority providing $2 billion. The biggest problem facing getting the tunnel built is that New Jersey's fiscal situation is so awful, that it is unclear where the state will get the money to cover their share of the costs. Have no doubt that taxes will be raised and all kinds of gimmicks pulled to make the project happen.

Power outages might come to a neighborhood near you, as Con Ed saw parts of Staten Island go dark yesterday. The outage was only a few hours long, but enough to remind anyone with a pulse that the electric system is in serious trouble in the city. Anyone want to remind the State Legislature to reauthorize the expedited siting procedures to enable power generation companies to build new power facilities in the state?

Then there are the obsolete bridges and roads that need to be replaced, including the Goethals Bridge, which is a disaster waiting to happen with lanes that are too narrow and would not meet current building and engineering requirements, and whose roadbed is deficient and requires repeated closures to repair. A parallel span is under consideration.

And that's the tip of the iceberg - a report card of the state's needs show a need for massive investment to maintain and upgrade existing infrastructure.