Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, Chief of Staff to Governor Philip D. Murphy
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- On Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at the Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center in New Brunswick, the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners and the Middlesex County Department of Transportation welcomed municipal officials, transportation stakeholders, and utility providers to its 2024 Transportation Symposium. The event served as a platform for networking and knowledge-sharing and delved into critical transportation topics.
The Middlesex County Transportation Symposium commenced with a morning session featuring former New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, who now serves as chief of staff to Governor Philip D. Murphy and Dr. Ali Maher, Ph.D., F.ASCE, director of Rutgers University's Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT).
“My colleagues and I on the Board of County Commissioners recognize that solid, well-planned transportation infrastructure helps drive economic growth and stability. Our County Department of Transportation is committed to identifying, developing, implementing, and supporting infrastructure projects and initiatives that help optimize transit throughout Middlesex County and the region,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “This Transportation Symposium is part of its evolution. This event provides a voice to stakeholders, and a new opportunity to listen and learn from one another, building relationships.”
“At its core, solid transportation infrastructure does more than make it safer and easier for people to get from one place to another — it also improves quality of life for our residents and helps support a stable economy, both now and into the future,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Charles Kenny, chair of the Transportation Committee. “Vision Zero and the Southern Middlesex County Freight Movement Study are just two examples of several vital initiatives the County’s Department of Transportation has taken on over the past few years that are intended to improve safety. Together, we can make transportation safer, easier, and hopefully, more efficient for everyone who lives, works, or plays in Middlesex County.”
“The Middlesex County Transportation Symposium is an extraordinary convening of all partners in transportation. From advocates to engineers to academia, it is an opportunity to address present-day transportation challenges while developing a vision of the future of transportation in the County and the communities it serves,” said Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, chief of staff to Governor Philip D. Murphy.
“Among the most densely populated states in the US, innovative approaches are critical to keeping New Jersey’s residents and its transportation systems moving,” said CAIT Director Dr. Ali Maher. “The inaugural Middlesex County Transportation Symposium brought together stakeholders and experts from government and the public sector, industry, and academia to learn about critical transportation initiatives at the County and opportunities to collaborate—from complete streets to transit planning. Through the DataCity Smart Mobility Testing Ground, Rutgers CAIT is proud to work with Middlesex County to bring innovative transportation solutions to the region.”
CAIT Director Dr. Ali Maher
Following the morning session, attendees participated in four distinct breakout sessions, each addressing key facets of Middlesex County's transportation landscape. These breakout sessions encompassed:
Transit Planning: An exploration of how transportation is evolving, and how Middlesex County is adapting along with it to become more accessible.
Road Projects and Utilities: An in-depth discussion about the challenges of improving County roads and infrastructure, and how collaboration and open communication will help meet those challenges.
Development Review and Complete Streets: An interactive discussion on how the County and its municipalities can better coordinate development reviews.
Vision Zero: An interactive opportunity for attendees to learn how the County is dealing with safety concerns and planning through their newest projects.
Additionally, key Middlesex County investments are making significant headway like the remodeling of the New Brunswick Train Station and the construction of the North Brunswick Train Station, both of which are advancing in their design stages. Progress is also evident in the development of parking facilities in Carteret and at the new Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center. These projects, undertaken in collaboration with NJ Transit, the Middlesex County Improvement Authority, and local municipalities, are poised to enhance connectivity and drive economic growth throughout the region.
Beyond these pivotal projects, Middlesex County continues to look for innovative transportation solutions, including initiatives such as the RIDE On Demand, pilot program in New Brunswick and the forthcoming evolution of Middlesex County Area Transit (MCAT) services into RIDE Routes and RIDE Reservations to provide accessible and efficient transit options that meet the diverse needs of both residents and visitors.
For more information on Middlesex County’s transportation initiatives, please click here.
Middlesex County is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies, three universities, 19 park systems, and world-class healthcare and research facilities making it one of the nation’s most dynamic regions and a leader in technology, transportation, the arts, and food innovation. As one of the most diverse populations in the country, Middlesex County is home to over 860,000 residents living throughout 25 municipalities. The County's award-winning Middlesex County Magnet Schools system and two-year Middlesex College uphold its position as #1 in the state for best schools, offering secondary and postsecondary education and workforce development programs that create a unique ecosystem where opportunities abound. Conveniently located between New York and Philadelphia, Middlesex County is a leading destination for businesses and residents alike to live, work, and play – and has been since the 17th century. For more information, visit middlesexcountynj.gov and find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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