In what could be a preview of a new era of regional cooperation, Governor Jon Corzine traveled across the Hudson River to address a large New York City audience of design, construction and real estate industry leaders to talk about economic interdependence and shared interests.

“We are one community and it is important for us to work together on every aspect of public policy as time goes by,” Governor Corzine told a crowd of more than 400 people at a Construction Industry Luncheon Forum co-sponsored by the New York Building Congress and New York Construction magazine. “There are currently 60 million people within four hours traveling distance of this great marketplace of New York and New Jersey,” he added.“We anticipate enormous growth in those numbers in the years ahead."

The luncheon was arranged in part to provide a forum for discussion of the proposed $7.2 billion Trans-Hudson Express (THE) Tunnel, which the Building Congress is supporting in a unique campaign with the New Jersey Alliance for Action.The two organizations recently co-sponsored a brochure promoting the economic, transportation, environmental and quality of life benefits of THE Tunnel which would provide an additional two-track tunnel under the Hudson River with a link to Pennsylvania Station.“The Trans-Hudson passenger rail tunnel is an absolute necessity. This thing has to get built,” Governor Corzine said.

In his introduction of the Governor, Building Congress Chairman Dominick M. Servedio said, “What’s most important about Jon Corzine to our members is his deep understanding of the metropolitan region and how cooperation between New York and New Jersey will lead to enormous benefits for residents of both states. He knows how public investments, especially in transportation, will pay off. That’s why we are so pleased withhis enthusiastic support for the proposed Trans Hudson Rail Tunnel.

Governor Corzine also stressed the need for a regional approach to other important initiatives, including the need to share energy through transmission lines in order to meet anticipated increases in demand. He also pledged his support to help assure an efficiently and comprehensively rebuilt World Trade Center.