ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND INDEPENDENT AUTHORITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3811

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

      The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee reports favorably and Assembly Bill No. 3811 with committee amendments.

      As amended and reported, this bill requires a geotechnical engineer to provide expert recommendations concerning the type and frequency of geotechnical tests needed for transportation projects funded in whole or in part by State resources.  The recommended testing and frequency of testing is to be included in the construction contracts of the project and are to be completed during the construction phase of the project.

      The bill requires a groundwater test to have occurred within 180 days of the date primary construction begins for any transportation project that requires groundwater testing at the project site.  Thereafter, the bill also requires ongoing groundwater monitoring if the site conditions warrant more frequent testing, as determined by the geotechnical engineer.

      Under the bill, data is to be collected concerning the shifting and settling of the transportation project.  The shifting and settling is to be monitored and compared against the levels of shifting and settling deemed acceptable by the project’s design documents.  If the shifting and settling is greater than that deemed acceptable by the design documents, advanced monitoring is to be completed, as determined by the Commissioner of Transportation.

      The bill requires the Department of Transportation to comply with all internal standards, manuals, procedures, and design documents and the department is prohibited from waiving any of the standards and procedures provided in these documents.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amendments provide that the bill is not to be construed to circumvent or supersede any existing professional practice laws.