Omer Ahmed

The Delaware River Port Authority's strategic workplan outlines its commitment to operational excellence and world-class stewardship in connecting communities and economies through the safe, efficient, and sustainable operation of interstate bridges and the PATCO transit line. The plan focuses on five key strategic areas: Infrastructure, Facilities & Equipment Stewardship, User & Beneficiary Satisfaction, Organizational Strength & Capacity, Efficiencies and Process Improvement, and Prudent Deployment of Resources. Its overarching goal is to strengthen organizational resilience and preserve infrastructure, assets, and culture, ensuring continued safe, effective, and sustainable operations for years to come.

The Board Meeting agenda included the CEO Report, which summarized 2025 capital investments, response to a winter storm, the 2026 safety slogan contest, and an outline of the $800 million five-year capital program. Key discussion items involved personnel actions, including new hires, temporary assignments, promotions, and retirements, as well as resolutions related to these personnel changes. The meeting addressed various contracts and purchases, such as design services for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge underpass, an NJDOT easement, property management services for One Port Center, and vehicle purchases. Finance matters included reviewing the CFO report, unaudited financial summaries, and monthly payment lists. Committee resolutions covered software license renewals, public safety car upgrades, and the Benefits Administration Modernization Project. The PATCO section of the meeting addressed similar matters including collective bargaining agreements and contract considerations.

This document outlines strategic initiatives focused on driving organizational change and continuous process improvement. Key areas include strategic planning, business process improvement, and building performance accountability systems. The primary goals are to improve efficiency, build capacity, better perform the organization's mission, provide value, and achieve sustainable results, positioning it as a world-class stewardship organization focused on clear public value.

This document outlines the Delaware River Port Authority's 2026 Capital Program, detailing estimated project costs for the five-year period from 2026 to 2030. It encompasses major and operational projects across various entities, including the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Walt Whitman Bridge, Commodore Barry Bridge, Betsy Ross Bridge, Multi-Bridges, Facility Security, DRPA Other, PATCO, Technology, and Schedule V: Vehicles and Equipment.

During the open session, the Board addressed a public inquiry regarding a dent on the Evesham Road Bridge near Ashland Station, with the Chief Engineer confirming PATCO was aware and handling the matter. The General Manager's Report was approved as submitted. The Board approved the receipt and filing of the List of Previously Approved Payments and the List of Previously Approved Purchase Orders and Contracts, both covering April 2023. Financial reporting items included receiving and filing the Balance Sheet and Equity Statement dated February 28, 2023. Key resolutions adopted involved extending the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Port Authority Transit Corporation and International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 676 through December 31, 2025, and authorizing staff to negotiate and enter into pending PATCO contracts valued between $25,000 and $100,000.