2024 NYNJ Infrastructure Forum Agenda

Project Presentation:
A Portal to the Future of Rail in New York and New Jersey

The $1.7-billion Portal North Bridge, the largest construction project in the history of New Jersey Transit, is a key component of the $33.7-billion Gateway Program that will double rail capacity between Newark, N.J., and New York City. Rich Schaefer, the agency’s Senior Vice President of Capital Programs, will discuss project progress and future opportunities for industry.

NYC Dept. of Design and Construction: Improving the Process to Deliver Billions in Capital Projects

Responsible for over $33 billion in capital construction, the NYC Department of Design and Construction faces the urgent task of upgrading our city’s aging infrastructure and serving New Yorkers with needed public facilities throughout the five boroughs. DDC First Deputy Commissioner Macfarlane will detail the agency's plans to deliver projects better, faster and cheaper by reforming the capital delivery process in partnership with city and industry partners. Highlights will include DDC’s critical work to build coastal and stormwater resiliency.

$9B First Phase of JFK’s New Terminal One Sets Soaring Standards

John F. Kennedy International Airport is undergoing an unprecedented $19-billion makeover and upgrade, anchored by The New Terminal One which will be the largest terminal at JFK Airport when complete. Sustainably designed and future-focused, the world-class and state-of-the-art terminal will serve as a global gateway to the New York metropolitan area. The project's $9 billion first phase is the largest single-asset project financed in the United States. This monumental effort will replace the existing Terminal 1 and occupy the footprint of the former Terminal 2, Terminal 3 and the Green Garage, while maintaining the existing AirTrain station on a 133-acre site. Hear from New Terminal One Capital Program Director Palmina Whelan about current and future work opportunities and learn how this unique endeavor is being made possible.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NYC, The Future Rides With Us

MTA C&D is responsible for the maintenance, improvement, and expansion of the $1.5 trillion asset that is the MTA’s transit system. In the midst of creating the MTA’s next 5-year capital plan, the agency is developing hundreds of projects that will keep the region moving for decades to come. MTA C&D President Jamie Torres-Springer will provide an overview of the MTA’s priorities for the next capital plan and how the agency is building capacity to deliver even greater results.

New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection: Making NJ’s Key Water Infrastructure Climate Resilient

Equity in Infrastructure: From Concepts to Contract Awards

Moderator

Panelists

Decarbonizing Infrastructure: Aggressive Targets, Ambitious Projects

New York and New Jersey both have forward-looking carbon-reduction programs that will lead to more sustainable practices in the design and construction of infrastructure. In New York, the Climate Act calls for reducing carbon emissions 40% by 2030 and 85% by 2050. Last year New Jersey enacted one of the most aggressive but market-driven laws in the U.S. to reduce embodied carbon in construction materials, including concrete. Projects impacted range from transit work to energy to water improvements—in addition to major efforts in the buildings sector. During this panel discussion, learn how these laws and policy changes relate to current and future design and construction.

Moderator

Panelists

Transforming Infrastructure: The Power of Artificial Intelligence

Join us for an insightful exploration into the transformative role that artificial intelligence is playing in reshaping infrastructure development. From transportation to energy, water and urban planning, AI is dramatically changing how we conceive, construct and manage critical systems. The discussion will cover the potential of AI to optimize infrastructure performance, enhance decision-making, and foster innovation. Discover how AI-driven algorithms and predictive analytics can boost efficiency and reduce cost while exploring optimal approaches to assess risk mitigation techniques when integrating AI into our methods of working, building, and communicating.

Setting Up Major Programs for Success

To improve the likelihood of success of Major Infrastructure Projects, industry professionals must identify essential strategies for effective program initiation and mobilization. This discussion delves into critical factors influencing success, including aspects of delivery ecosystem, robust governance, effective delivery strategies, and organizational alignment.

Building Faster in NYC using Alternative Project Delivery

Design-build has fundamentally changed NYC Department of Design and Construction’s ability to deliver major new buildings and certain types of infrastructure, fostering collaboration and shaving years off the schedule of a typical project. Explore the benefits, challenges, and opportunities of this project delivery tool and trade lessons learned to help us deliver projects to the public faster.

Climate Transition Risk & Opportunity Strategy

Public infrastructure agencies have an opportunity to identify and strategize for risks stemming from the climate transition – but the time to act is now. Agencies should prioritize building actionable strategies that chart a path forward for sustainability & resilience, while working in close partnership with the broader community of infrastructure service providers.

Contractor Diversity is Key To Meet the Region’s Infrastructure Needs

Join the conversation about the wide range of opportunities in the region for minority and women-owned firms, disadvantaged business enterprises and small businesses to help meet growing infrastructure needs.

Designing and Building Successful Climate Resilience Projects in New Jersey

Join this conversation to gain an update on New Jersey's efforts to bolster its infrastructure resilience, particularly through Rebuild by Design projects and major ongoing coastal protection initiatives launched in response to devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. These efforts aim to enhance the state's ability to withstand future climate-related events through innovative design, robust engineering, environmental justice goals and community engagement.

Bridge Resilience in the New York/New Jersey Region

Whether it be natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods or human-made ones either accidental or purposeful, what are we doing to help the region’s bridge infrastructure withstand or recover quickly from extreme events of the future? Hear from experts about not only engineering solutions but also the need to change our mindset about project delivery, streamlining processes, sharing risks appropriately and using life-cycle thinking to bring costs down. Solutions to these challenges will lead to more investment in essential projects and a pipeline of work in the years to come.

Moderator

Panelists

Agency Overview

Amtrak: Rebuilding the Northeast Corridor

With a major infusion of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Amtrak is rebuilding the Northeast Corridor for a new generation of passenger rail. Billions of dollars’ worth of improvements are slated for the New York/New Jersey region including major projects such as East River Tunnel Rehabilitation, Sawtooth Bridges, and others advancing through the project pipeline. Amtrak VP for Infrastructure Project Delivery Jay Sankar will provide an update on these and other major investments that are helping to shape the future of the NEC.

Speaker

Agency Overview

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Responding to the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse

This presentation will focus on the critical role played by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the response and recovery efforts following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. McTighe will discuss the immediate actions taken to stabilize the situation, the engineering challenges encountered and the strategies implemented to restore the vital federal navigation channel. He will also highlight the importance of partnerships with industry in executing these operations, emphasizing how collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential for successful disaster recovery and helps ensure the resilience of the nation's infrastructure.

Speaker

Opening Address

Future-Proofing New York City Infrastructure

Our region is shaped by systems that New Yorkers rely on, every day. We need to not only maintain a state of good repair but also modernize vulnerable facilities and meet the demands of climate change. Generational investments across our region mean that our collective approach to scaling delivery is more important than ever. New York City’s Chief Infrastructure Officer talks about design thinking for our 21st century public works.

Speaker

The $16B Hudson River Tunnels Program: A Live Critical Path Podcast

In ENR’s first-ever on-stage, live podcast, ENR Deputy Editor for Infrastructure Aileen Cho will chat with the Gateway Program’s Jim Morrison about the challenges of building a new pair of tunnels under the Hudson River—including the long struggle to get there and the opportunities for industry.

Moderator

Special Guest