Angel Estrada, right, will oversee over $1 billion in federal transportation as chairman of the North Jersey Transportation Authority.
UNION COUNTY, NJ — The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority has selected Union County Freeholder Angel Estrada as its chairman, putting him in charge of the group that oversees regional transportation planning and authorizes more than $1 billion in annual federal transportation spending for 13 counties in northern and central New Jersey.
“This is a challenging time for transportation in our region, with the growing need to build additional trans-Hudson tunnels, implement new technologies and much more, Estrada said a Jan. 22 press release. I look forward to working with the board and our many partners to improve travel for all residents of our region.”
Estrada also recognized outgoing chairman Peter Palmer, who retired from the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders after more than 50 years in various public positions.
Estrada has been an NJTPA trustee since 2012 and served as a board alternate before that.
He has served as chairman of the NJTPA’s project prioritization committee since 2016.
He previously served as chairman of the planning and economic development committee in 2014.
Estrada, who emigrated from Cuba 50 years ago and has called Elizabeth home since then, was first elected as a freeholder in 1999. He also serves on the EZ Ride Transportation Management Association Board of Trustees.
At the meeting, the NJTPA Board also selected four other members for its executive committee: Hunterdon County Freeholder Matthew Holt as first vice chairman; Passaic County Freeholder John Bartlett as second vice chairman; and Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo as secretary.
In accordance with the bylaws, Estrada appointed Morris County Freeholder Kathryn A. DeFillippo to the position of third vice chairperson.
The committee provides guidance and leadership to the full board on a wide range of planning, policy and administrative issues.
It meets as needed to review financial, personnel and policy matters. Board membership is an uncompensated position.
The NJTPA board consists of one local elected official from each of the 13 counties in the region: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren, and the cities of Newark and Jersey City.
The board also includes a governor’s representative, the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the executive director of NJ TRANSIT, the chairperson of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and a citizen’s representative appointed by the governor.