No Need
to Fear
There’s an old saying, “When everything else fails we go to war”. Well, here it comes. Some politicians and those on the left said that we failed on COVID but made billions on it. America went upside down on WOKE and on leftist ideas, but we know it’s going to fail. Those brave Canadians have realized the Prime Minister Mr. Trudeau is a control freak and will fail. As for the Ukraine vs. Russia, this became a “Missile Crisis,” but don’t panic yet until the puppet controlled mainstream media said so. China is enjoying this and is ready to invade Taiwan. No need to fear Mr. Biden is here and yes, “Eat, Sleep and be Worried”.
Orlando “Wildman” Perez
Statement by Wilma R. Matey at the 1/26/22 Council Meeting
After serving the City for many years, I just gave up … I see all our volunteer’s efforts that go unnoticed in this town. As per your Congregation you stated we need fresh blood—Well, let me tell you, you have some very experienced people that you want taken off some boards, as per 1 LOW LIFE that tries to rule everything in this Town. I cannot believe you would even consider his suggestions.
I will not name this UNDESIRABLE MAN, but you all know who he is. If you allow this to happen, I want you all to know, I will lose all respect for all of you, you will no longer be considered leaders of this town, you are sheep, and I will be so embarrassed to say I know you.
Wilma R. Matey
Is The
$33 Billion Gateway Tunnel Ready to
Proceed?
There is more to the recent Amtrak Inspector General’s report which was critical on the lack of adequate planning for the $33 billion Gateway Tunnel project. Ninety days after a contract is awarded, it is common for the contractor submitting a detailed construction schedule that includes the critical path for completion of the project. This is reviewed and approved by the transit agency. The critical path documents what any future delays could trigger other delays to the overall project schedule. For example, take $1.6 billion Portal Bridge. It integrates the scheduling of work to be performed by the prime contractor, Skanska, with all 15 subcontractors.
If the work of one falls behind their portion of the project, it could delay the start of work by another subcontractor or Skanska. This, in turn would delay the overall project. The more subcontractors you have, the greater the risk something could go wrong. How many subcontractors will be hired for the $12 billion first phase (two new tunnels and repairs to the two original 110-year-old tunnels) and $33 billion full scope Gateway project?
Any successful transit project, especially those over $100 million and/or in receipt of a Federal Transit Administration Full Funding Grant Agreement should not only have an approved Project Management Plan, but also a Quality Assurance and Quality Control Plan (this is used to insure that the contractor builds to the design and engineering specifications, Fleet Management Plan, Annual Force Account (in house employees who work with and provide support to third party contractors) and Annual Track Outage Plan.
This is needed to ensure that the Gateway Development Corporation complete such a significant federal transit investment on time, within budget, built to the design and engineering specifications so that it will remain in beneficial use for the promised intended useful life.
Larry Penner
Retired
Former Director
Federal Transit Administration
NY Region
Office of Operations and
Program Management
(Larry Penner — transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously worked for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office. This included the development, review, approval and oversight for billions in capital projects and programs for NJ Transit, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NYC Transit bus, subway and Staten Island Railway, Long Island and Metro North Rail Roads, MTA Bus, NYCDOT Staten Island Ferry along with 30 other transit agencies in NY & NJ.)
