4.8 Magnitude Earthquake Impacts New Jersey and Neighboring States

On Friday morning around 10:20 a.m., a 4.8 magnitude earthquake shook New Jersey with impacts felt across the Northeast.

Governor Murphy spoke with President Joe Biden to ensure emergency response coordination with the federal government. Governor Murphy also appeared on several news outlets to discuss the earthquake, the aftermath, and available resources. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announced that there was no disruption in electrical grid operations. At the time of this publication, no injuries have been reported.

For more information, continue monitoring USGS and @GovMurphy on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Governor Murphy, Speaker Coughlin, Mayor Busch Highlight New Jersey Economic Development Authority Resources to Support Arts and Culture

Governor Murphy joined Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Mayor Jonathan Busch to tour the historic Forum Theatre in Metuchen, highlighting the resources available to support the arts and New Jersey’s downtowns.

“Visiting Metuchen’s Forum Theatre today served as a reminder of the venue’s immense potential,” said Governor Murphy. “New Jersey’s cultural hubs – from our theaters to our music venues - bring people together in support of artistic expression and creativity. We look forward to working through the Economic Development Authority to revitalize community treasures across New Jersey, and to watching the Metuchen Arts District continue to take shape over the coming months.”

Governor Murphy signed P.L.2023, c.197 in December of 2023, establishing the Cultural Arts Incentive Program under the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The program will provide tax credits to support eligible applicants’ larger-scale projects, including the rehabilitation of theaters, museums, galleries, libraries, performing arts centers, and related efforts to revitalize New Jersey’s downtowns.

“From early on in his administration, Governor Murphy has prioritized developing programs that support New Jersey’s arts and culture community and the revitalization of downtowns. Entertainment venues across the state are part of the fabric that make up New Jersey’s rich cultural diversity,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Our cultural hubs are critical to our state’s job market and overall economy and I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Murphy, Speaker Coughlin, and the entire Legislature on creating programs that will help strengthen and restore community assets.”

“Communities across New Jersey now have resources to revitalize their art and cultural institutions and reap the economic and cultural benefits. I was proud to sponsor legislation to expand these opportunities,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin. “Metuchen’s Forum Theatre is a prime example of a renewed local institution that will benefit an entire region. My thanks to Governor Murphy for his partnership and to EDA CEO Tim Sullivan for his work in implementation so we can see more success stories across the state."

“We all recognize that revitalizing the Forum Theatre would provide an overwhelming boost to the Borough’s flourishing arts scene.” said Metuchen Mayor Jonathan Busch. “Investment opportunities like these are catalysts for broader economic development in communities throughout New Jersey because they help attract visitors and businesses to places like Metuchen.” Read More

Port Authority Launches Path Forward - a Comprehensive, Two-Year Program to Deliver More Reliable Service, Upgraded Stations and Rehabilitated Train Cars for Path Customers

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced a comprehensive, $430 million investment in the 116-year-old PATH system to upgrade stations, tracks, and other critical equipment. The two-year PATH Forward program focuses on improving reliability and modernizing stations on the fifth-busiest rapid transit system in the United States.

Critical infrastructure throughout the system, including railcars, bridges, tracks and track switches, will be repaired or replaced. At four PATH stations, major renovation work through PATH Forward will upgrade floors, ceilings, stairways, electrical systems and more.

Work is already underway at the Grove St. stop, where the first phase of station rehabilitation work was completed in March. The second phase will begin on Saturday, April 6, with eastbound trains bypassing the station on weekends to accommodate the ongoing work through approximately late June.

Service impacts at stations undergoing rehabilitation are expected to be limited to weekends in 2024, with some anticipated impact to weekday service expected in 2025. To allow riders to plan ahead, PATH will provide at least five months’ notice ahead of anticipated service impacts. Riders can access that schedule and learn about upcoming community information sessions, including three already scheduled throughout April, on the PATH Forward website. To stay up to date, riders are strongly encouraged to use the free-to-download RidePATH app, which is available from the Apple and Google Play app stores; visit?the PATH Forward website; sign up for alerts, or follow PATH on social media.

PATH will conduct robust outreach with riders, elected officials, community leaders and other stakeholders ahead of upcoming service changes or disruptions. PATH leadership is planning at least three sets of community information sessions this month, with additional sessions anticipated as work progresses. Information on those sessions is available on the PATH Forward website.

“PATH is critical to the entire region, not because it moves trains – but because it connects people with what matters most, like job and educational opportunities, friends and loved ones,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Through PATH Forward, we’re making investments to ensure that journey is as smooth and stress-free as possible, minimizing delays and maximizing dependability for thousands of daily riders.” Read More

Gateway Development Commission Announces Earthcam Installation to Provide Daily Updates on Tonnelle Ave Construction

As part of its commitment to public engagement and information throughout the Hudson Tunnel Project's construction, the Gateway Development Commission (GDC) announced the installation of an EarthCam panoramic camera at the Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and Utility Relocation Project. Now, live images of the project site will be accessible on the GDC website, providing daily updates of construction progress. GDC will also release periodic ‘time lapse’ footage during construction.

That work at Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen is part of the active construction for the Hudson Tunnel Project that is currently taking place in both New York and New Jersey.

In a joint statement, Alicia Glen, New York GDC Commissioner and Co-Chair, Balpreet Grewal-Virk, New Jersey GDC Commissioner and Co-Chair, and Tony Coscia, GDC Amtrak Commissioner and Vice Chair, said, “The installation of the EarthCam at the Tonnelle Avenue Project is an important part of meeting our responsibilities to the public. We are excited to offer this window into our work and look forward to continued collaboration with all stakeholders as we advance the vital Hudson Tunnel Project.”

“Introducing the EarthCam at the Tonnelle Avenue site underscores our dedication to ‘showing our work’ as we advance this nation’s most urgent infrastructure project,” said GDC CEO Kris Kolluri. “These photos and videos will ensure members of the community stay up to speed on our progress every step of the way while creating a historical record of this project that will serve the region for decades to come.”

The Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and Utility Relocation Project is a major early work component of the Hudson Tunnel Project involving the relocation of utilities and the construction of a new roadway bridge for Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen. This project will allow for a connection to the new tunnel portal at the western slope of the New Jersey Palisades, provide construction access between the staging sites on either side of Tonnelle Avenue, and enable access to the entry point for the Tunnel Boring Machines that will dig the Palisades Tunnel portion of the project. Read More