Amusement Rides Being Tested At American Dream Meadowlands: Gov.

Rides are being tested at American Dream Meadowlands, a sign the $5 billion mega-mall is closer to opening.

Gov. Phil Murphy talked about the project on a Facebook live broadcast on 1010 WINS Facebook page Wednesday afternoon.

"They are testing the amusement rides and that's a good sign," Murphy said. "They are encasing the water rides. Two-thousand workers are working on this every day." (See related: Here's What Roller Coasters Are Coming To American Dream [Video])

Murphy also said, for the second time in less than a month, that American Dream Meadowlands, is "gonna happen."

"I don't see any scenario where it doesn't happen," Murphy said.

American Dream Meadowlands has been a long-delayed project that was originally slated to open in 2017. (See related: It Appears American Dream's Opening Has Been Pushed Back (Again))

A recent post on the project's Instagram's account last month said the retail and entertainment destination is "coming late summer." Earlier in March, Murphy said the project would open "closer to June."

Developer Triple Five previously pushed back the completion date because it had difficulty securing the financing. It worked with Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan to secure $1.6 billion in construction financing. Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan also sold $1.1 billion in tax-exempt bonds for the project.

The 93-acre campus is expected to generate $1.2 billion in income and 16,000 jobs in its first year of operation. (See related: American Dream Meadowlands To Generate $1.2B In Income, 16K Jobs)

American Dream will have North America's largest indoor water park, the biggest indoor ski park in the western hemisphere, and the first Sea Life Aquarium in New Jersey, among other attractions. (See related: Take A Virtual Tour Of American Dream's Water Park [Videos])

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com