Hunter:  Can you give me some times that you’re available for a conference call with John Parola, Bob Sutton and me to discuss Amtrak and Portal Bridge?  Thanks.

Portal Bridge North is a good project, stand alone project that will improve safety, capacity and reliability of the Northeast Corridor. Millions have been spent to date designing it.  Amtrak wants the project to go forward.  With all the talk of HSR and Amtrak’s vision, in is not acceptable for Amtrak or NJT to walk away from this project.  As it is , even if the existing 100 year old movable Portal was a newer bridge, it still is only 2 tracks. Both the state of NJ , NJT and Amtrak will greatly benefit from a new three track or four track fixed bridge.  Waiting for another tunnels project to happen in line with Amtrak’s vision is too far away.  I was thinking that perhaps Hunter can help with the current mess with his Amtrak relationships.  If possible we can get him on a call to brief him with all of the drama. If Amtrak would step up and say we need it, regardless of ARC this project would move forward and all options are preserved. In as much as the design money was already appropriated you would think this could get figured out without all of the politics.  Thoughts?

John J. Parola

Sr. Vice President, Northeast Division

HNTB Corporation

5 Penn Plaza Plaza, 6th Floor

New York, NY 1001

Direct (212) 294-7536 or

(215) 282-1120

Cell (267) 934-1566

Email:jparola@hntb.com

www.hntb.com