Hoboken has announced efforts to help ease anticipated traffic during the next phase of construction of the Rebuild by Design – Hudson River project’s Resist structure near southwest Hoboken. The work will be done by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Starting on or about Monday, March 31, the NJDEP will begin test pitting and construction activities for the foundation of the Resist structure’s sliding gate across Jersey Avenue. According to a press release from the city, “The gate will be deployed during storm surge events like Hurricane Sandy, which inundated Hoboken with over 500 million gallons of water. It will connect to the nearly 5,000-foot-long southern Resist structure that will prevent water from the Hudson River from entering the city via the Long Slip Canal in the south. When complete, the project will protect portions of Hoboken from storm surge flooding, removing approximately 80 percent of the City from the FEMA-designated flood plain, significantly reducing flood insurance rates for residents”.
The release goes on to say, “During this phase of construction, Jersey Avenue will be closed to all traffic 24 hours a day for approximately one month, between Harrison Street in Hoboken and 18th Street in Jersey City. Signs will aid in detouring traffic entering and exiting Hoboken via Grove Street and Marin Boulevard/Henderson Street. Trucks will be directed to use northern roads in and out of the city via Rt. 495 and may exit from the south via Paterson Avenue/ Paterson Plank Road only.”
As construction takes place in May and June, one southbound lane of Jersey Avenue is anticipated to reopen to accommodate vehicles exiting Hoboken. Jersey Avenue is scheduled to reopen before the July 4th holiday.
To minimize disruptions, Hoboken, in collaboration with NJDEP, Jersey City, and Hudson County, will implement comprehensive traffic mitigation strategies in advance of construction, including:
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Temporarily modifying signal timing at 11 intersections to accommodate detour traffic flows.
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Temporarily striping two extra lanes, one in each direction, on Grove Street between 18th and Newark Streets to provide additional queuing capacity at intersection approaches.
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Temporarily repurposing a striped median as an additional eastbound travel lane on Newark Street between Jackson Street and Monroe Street.
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Posting detour signs and variable messaging boards in key locations to assist drivers with alternate routes.
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Deploying Hoboken and Jersey City police officers to manage traffic circulation and ensure pedestrian safety.
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Adding closures to virtual navigation apps such as Google Maps and Apple Maps.
In a statement, Mayor Ravi Bhalla said, “Candidly, this road closure is going to be frustrating. No one likes traffic detours, and I know this will be difficult for many who rely on Jersey Avenue every day but, the reality is, this short-term pain comes with a long-term payoff. The NJDEP is making a critical investment that will make our city more resilient. In the meantime, we are doing everything we can to ease congestion and keep things moving as smoothly as possible. I appreciate everyone’s patience while we get through this together.”
Any ongoing construction projects in Hoboken’s southwestern section requiring road closures will be put on hold during this phase of the Rebuild by Design work.