Project Profile: Atlantic City-Brigantine Connector

Source: South Jersey Transportation Authority

Location	Atlantic City, New Jersey
Project Sponsor / Borrower	South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA), New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), Casino Reinvestment Development Authority
Program Areas
Value Capture Techniques	Tax Increment Financing
Mode	Highway and Tunnel
Description	The 2.4-mile Atlantic City-Brigantine Connector is a roadway, tunnel, and related ramps that link the Atlantic City Expressway to a former landfill site, now home to the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The connector includes a 2,900-foot cut-and-cover tunnel, 16 bridges, 15 ramps, 23 retaining walls, variable message signs, drainage and landscaping. This $330 million design-build project was made possible through a partnership between Atlantic City, South Jersey Transportation Authority, New Jersey Department of Transportation, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, and Mirage Resorts, Inc. (MRI). The project opened up the city's Marina District to significant economic development that included not only the $1.3 billion Borgata, which opened in 2003 (the first new hotel property opening in Atlantic City in 13 years) but also expansions of several existing casino hotels in or adjacent to the Marina District. The project involved three components: Remediation of the former landfill site Construction of a 2.6-mile connector from the tolled Atlantic City Expressway to the landfill site Development of the hotel and casino on the reclaimed site, which was given to the casino developer (MRI), who in turn paid for site cleanup and one-third of project cost through cash and cash credits from future incremental taxes The project provided improved access to the Marina District and the Brigantine Island community to the north, reducing congestion on the existing Brigantine Blvd. and improving emergency evacuation capacity.
Cost	$330 million
Funding Sources	State funds (motor fuel taxes) - $95 million South Jersey Transportation Authority (tolls and parking fees) - $125 million Mirage Resorts Inc. (cash and advance alternative cash credits from incremental property, sales, and business tax proceeds resulting from the newly constructed hotel and casino) - $110 million
Project Delivery / Contract Method	Design-build
Private Partner	Design-builder - Joint venture between Yonkers Contracting Company and Granite Construction Company
Project Advisors / Consultants	Not available
Lenders	Not applicable
Duration / Status	Landfill site cleanup began in 1995. Roadway construction began in November 1998. The roadway opened July 2001.
Financial Status	Closed
Innovations	The depressed highway/tunnel design minimized disruption to the adjacent neighborhood and permitted creation of a neighborhood park over the tunnel portion of the facility
Related Links / Articles	Case Studies of Transportation Public-Private Partnerships in the U.S. (see p.3-121) Project Summary Brief (Moretrench)
Contacts	South Jersey Transportation Authority Tel: (609) 344-4149