LATEST UPDATES
Turnpike Authority’s $24 Billion Capital Plan Approved: The New Jersey Turnpike Board of Commissioners voted to approve the Authority’s $24 billion capital plan. Hours after the vote, Governor Murphy announced his support for the capital plan, making it official.
The program is the largest in the agencies history and will fund a long list of projects on the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway including, but not limited to:
- $2.6 billion Parkway & Turnpike Bridge Rehabilitation/Replacement Program
- $1.4 billion flood zone remediation project in Great Egg Harbor
- $2.5 billion Parkway widening (between interchanges 142-154
- $3 billion widening of the Turnpike between interchanges 14-14A
- $1.1 billion widening of the Turnpike between interchanges 1-4
Proponents of the plan noted that these projects will be funded by toll increases and will decrease congestion, encourage economic development and will improve New Jersey’s transportation network.
NJEDA approves $2.3 million in grants for 700 small businesses: These funds are part of a $50 million small business program the NJEDA board approved on Friday, comes from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, a stimulus package that gives economic assistance to workers and small businesses amid the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
NJ to Allow Outdoor Graduations in July: On Tuesday, Governor Murphy announced that the state will allow outdoor graduation ceremonies beginning July 6, provided they comply with social distancing guidelines. All New Jersey Middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities can now schedule in-person, outdoor ceremonies.
"Our goal is to ensure that our students are given the send-offs they richly deserve and which they have been working toward," said Governor Murphy. "We want them to celebrate and be celebrated by their families, friends and the educators who helped get them there.”
Professional Sports to Resume in NJ: Governor Murphy announced that all professional sports teams which practice and play in New Jersey can immediately return to training and competition, if their respective sports leagues choose to move in that direction. The Governor noted that he has been in constant discussions with teams about necessary protocols to protect the health and safety of players, coaches and personnel.
Murphy added,” To the extent people are still staying home, it gives people something to do. It’s a return to normalcy. So, we are working and encouraging all sports teams to start their training camps as soon as possible. And we’ll work with them to make sure that can happen.''
NJ’s Hospitalization Metrics Improving: Recently released data shows that new hospitalization rates in NJ are down 80% since peak and 42% since May 12. NJ’s total hospitalization rates are down 67% since peak and 35% since May 12. Patients in the ICU are down 62% since peak and 40% since May 12 and patients on ventilators are down 66% since peak and 41% since May 12.
Latest NJ COVID-19 Statistics: The number positive coronavirus test results in New Jersey has increased to a total of 156,628. The number of statewide coronavirus-related deaths is currently 11,339.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
All NJ residents with questions or concerns about COVID-19 and resources available to them should visit: www.covid19.nj.gov
Jobs and Assistance in NJ: An online portal is available to provide information to impacted small business owners. The portal includes information on Executive Orders, regulations impacting small businesses and access to financial assistance from the US Small Business Administration (SBA).
Testing Sites: Click here to get updated information and locations of public testing sites.
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