InGroup recently attended the WTS-GNY 35th Annual Meeting and 18th Annual W / M / DBE Expo to celebrate individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to diversity and innovation in the transportation industry.
We extend our congratulations to:
- Diane Xiao, recipient of the Susan L. Kupferman Scholarship Award
- Polina Knaster, HDR, Inc. recipient of the Member of the Year Award
- JACOBS, recipient of the Employer of the Year Award
Keynote speaker, Michael Horodniceanu, Ph.D., P.E., President, MTA Capital Construction, highlighted how capital construction projects increase reliability, on-time performance and customer safety in the network. In 2010 – 2014, MTA outlined a $34.8 billion budget for Capital Programs. In 2015-2019, $32.0 billion is budgeted. His keynote address discussed how MTA Capital Programs are categorized to RENEW, ENHANCE and EXPAND.
- Renewing projects for the future include positive train control, communications-based train control, replacement of the subway fleet, bus purchases, and security infrastructure.
- Enhancing projects include countdown clocks and new fare payment technology.
- Expanding projects to increase network mobility include completion of East Side Access to Grand Central Terminal, Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 Design and Construction, and Metro-North connection to Penn Station.
The hitch is that there is a $16 billion gap in the budget. We were called to “make some noise” so that our region can continue to support its growing population. Deinvestment in our system had adverse impact on our transit system in the early 1970s, investment revived it. It is time to take action for the benefit, state-of-good repair, and expansion of a system we all need.
InGroup, Inc. is a qualified and certified New Jersey and New York WBE / DBE firm that specializes in delivering outreach communications for complex transportation and infrastructure projects throughout the region. Let’s all inform and inspire our valued stakeholders and decision-makers that the economic competitiveness and job growth of our region is dependent on sound transportation infrastructure to move people, goods, and services.
