• Andrew George
  • 2014-09-30
  • NJBIZ
Veronique "Ronnie" Hakim
NJ Transit Executive Director Veronique "Ronnie" Hakim speaks Tuesday at a New Jersey Chamber of Commerce event. - (ANDREW GEORGE)

Speaking Tuesday morning in Monroe at a breakfast event held by the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, NJ Transit Executive Director Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim said $1.27 billion in federal Superstorm Sandy recovery funding awarded to the agency earlier this month will be put to good use.

Through several slated projects, the money will be used to harden signals, strengthen infrastructure along the heavily used Northeast Corridor and prepare the agency for the next big storm.

“All important post-Sandy resiliency work for our future investments,” Hakim said.

Hakim was tapped for the post earlier this year, replacing Jim Weinstein, a former commissioner for the state Department of Transportation. Though Weinstein’s tenure lasted several years and saw periods of ridership growth, it was largely marked by the massive delays on NJ Transit trains during the Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium in February and the decision during Sandy to leave rail cars exposed to the storm, ultimately resulting in $120 million in damage.

In response, part of the most recent federal award will be used to build flood-proof storage for rail cars during future storms.

Hakim also briefly addressed the state’s beleaguered Transportation Trust Fund, noting that progress on the matter would require cooperation on multiple levels. She added that she believes Jamie Fox, the former DOT commissioner recently tapped again for the job by Gov. Chris Christie, will help to lead the way.

“I think Jamie is going to be integral in being part of a solution in crafting a new Transportation Trust Fund,” Hakim said.

Asked about funding options, Hakim echoed Christie in saying that “everything is on the table.”

Amtrak Chairman Anthony Coscia also spoke Tuesday, shedding light on how the rail service is dealing with improving its aging infrastructure while at the same time crafting a strategic vision for its future.

Coscia said that, with 260 million passengers each year between Boston and Washington, D.C., improving the Northeast Corridor, which runs directly through New Jersey, is a main point of focus.

So is getting more passengers from Newark to New York more efficiently, Coscia said, referencing the Gateway Project.

“I think everyone agrees that trans-Hudson capacity needs to be improved,” he said.

And in contrast to the controversial ARC Tunnel project, which Christie nixed in 2010 citing rising costs, future plans for improved tunnel access will be approached in steps.

“We’re designing the plan in a way that’s modular,” Coscia said.

Coscia added that, given that Amtrak largely serves urban corridors, it is in a good position to attract ridership from transit-oriented millennials going forward.

“Cities are clearly where the action is today,” Coscia said.

Media Contacts

Scott Goldstein
New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
scott@njchamber.com
609-989-7888 x113
Cell: 609-220-0836


Kevin Friedlander
New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
kevin.friedlander@njchamber.com
609-789-5263


2025 NJ Chamber Events

May 19
14th Annual
NJ Chamber Challenge Cup Golf Tournament
Where: Bedens Brook Club, Skillman
Shotgun Start: noon
May 21
Business Roundtable Series
Breakfast with Speaker Craig Coughlin
Where: National Conference Center, East Windsor
When: 8:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
$55 member | $75 non member
Jun 12
28th Annual
NJ Chamber Open House and Reception
Where: New Jersey State Museum, Trenton
When: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Jul 16
Young Professionals Event
Networking Mixer
Where: CGI, New Brunswick
When:  5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Free to participate. Open to all young professionals.
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Networking
Women of Inspiration Awards Reception
Where: National Conference Center, E. Windsor
When: 5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
More information coming soon
Sep 25
Networking
Member Networking Breakfast
Where: New Jersey Audubon, Bernardsville
When: 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Free to members
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Oct 22
NJ Chamber Legislative & Business Awards Reception
Where: EisnerAmper, Iselin
When: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
More information coming soon
Nov 6
DE&I Trailblazer Awards Reception
Co-Hosted by African American Chamber of NJ and NJ Chamber
Where: Pines Manor, Edison
When: 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
More infomrmation coming soon
Dec 11
Networking
Annual Member Holiday Party
Where: Calandra's Italian Village, Caldwell
When: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Free to members
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2026 NJ Chamber Events

Mar 24-25
ReNew Jersey Business Summit & Expo 2026
Where: Harrah's Atlantic City
When: Full day event
Note: The Walk to Washington will return in 2027