500 to gather on infrastructure at Iona
Car-choked arteries, inadequate rail lines and a bridge too creaky ”“ the Tappan Zee ”“ are among the topics slated for scrutiny when Iona College hosts an April 8 forum titled “Confronting the Crisis: Solving Our Regional Transportation Infrastructure Issues.”
Three-hundred business, civic and construction industry leaders from Connecticut, New York and New Jersey are expected to attend.
Westport, Conn.-based Terex Corp. is presenting sponsor for the third annual conference. Westfair Communications, publisher of the Westchester and Fairfield County Business Journals and HV Biz, is the media sponsor. Both companies feature top management who are Iona alumni: Ronald DeFeo, chairman at Terex, and Caryn McBride, Westfair executive editor.
An advisory board composed of leaders in infrastructure related sectors has been named to plan the conference. Members include McBride; Michael Bazinet, director of corporate communications, Terex Corp.; John Cooney Jr., president, Tilcon NY; Alfred B. DelBello, partner, DelBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr L.L.P.; Marsha Gordon, president, The Business Council of Westchester; Frank McArdle, consultant to private industry and the public sector; William Mooney, president, Westchester County Association; and Ross Pepe, president, Construction Industry Council of Westchester and the Hudson Valley.
“The nation”™s transportation infrastructure is its economic lifeline,” said Br. James A. Liguori, Iona College president. “While we rarely stop to think of the network of highways, railways, bridges, tunnels, waterways and airline terminals that serve us each and every day, let just one major component of the network go out of service and our dependence on these man-made wonders becomes painfully obvious.
“As a leading institution of higher education in the New York metropolitan area, Iona College seeks to encourage and foster dialogue and discussion of issues of importance and impact on the region. Our deteriorating infrastructure clearly fits that definition. “Iona is pleased to host this year”™s conference on a topic that affects all of us who live in the tri-state area.”
Speakers and panelists will discuss solutions and funding needed to bring the regional transportation infrastructure up to grade. The current needs and demands of key links in the region, including the Tappan Zee Bridge, will be examined during the opening panel discussion.
“Upgrading our regional transportation infrastructure to meet the demands of a new century will require the combined efforts of municipal, regional, state and federal governments as well as the private sector,” said DeFeo. “A collaborative approach, in-depth planning and nonpartisan long-term leadership are required if we are to improve the region”™s economic competitiveness and quality of life for our citizens. We look to this year”™s conference to help bring attention to the need for concerted action.”
For more information, contact public relations firm Thompson & Bender at 762-1900.