Update on quality of life projects in Hoboken and construction schedule
The City of Hoboken is continuing with a number of quality of life projects this upcoming week. Below are construction updates on the City’s water main upgrades to replace 7,000 linear feet of Hoboken’s oldest water mains, repaving projects, complete streets and vision zero improvements, construction on the 5-acre Northwest Resiliency Park and flood infrastructure, South Waterfront Walkway Rehabilitation, and new playground safety surface at Elysian Park.
No work will occur on Monday, 9/7/2020 in observance of Labor Day.
Water Infrastructure Upgrades
The City continues with the first phase of its water main replacement project, which will replace a total of 15 blocks, or 7,000 linear feet of Hoboken’s oldest water mains. The following activities are anticipated the week of 9/7/2020 – 9/11/2020:
- Tuesday 9/8 thru Friday 9/11: Monroe Street between 11th and 8th Street will be closed at times between hours of 8am and 4pm for the transfer of water services from the old water main to the new water main. Monroe Street will be closed to thru traffic for services but trucks will be allowed through.
- Wednesday 9/9 thru Friday 9/11: Bloomfield Street between 2nd and 4th Street will be closed at times between the hours of 8am and 5pm for the transfer of water services from the old water main to the new water main, installation of hydrants, and abandonment of the old water main at Bloomfield and 3rd Streets.
- Tuesday 9/8 and Wednesday 9/9: Garden Street between 5th Street and Observer Highway will be closed at times between hours of 8am and 5pm for roadway striping, including at crosswalks.
- Thursday 9/10: Monroe Street between 3rd Street and 4th Street will be closed at times between hours of 8am and 5pm for roadway paving.
- Friday 9/11: Jefferson Street between 11th and 10th Street will be closed at times between hours of 8am and 5pm for roadway paving.
- Thursday 9/11: Monroe Street between 10th and 11th Street will be closed at times between hours of 8am and 5pm for a connection to the existing sewer.
The construction of the water mains utilizes low interest and interest free loans from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank and does not use funding from the 2020 municipal budget. In 2019, the City entered into a contract with SUEZ that now provides for $33 million in water main upgrades through 2034, with an average of $2.2 million invested every year. More information about the water infrastructure upgrades project is available at https://www.hobokennj.gov/resources/drinking-water-infrastructure-upgrades-phase-1.
The project will not include replacement of private service lines from the curb to buildings, so it is recommended that property owners who still have older lead water lines replace the service line to their property with copper pipe or other approved material. If the property owner chooses to replace their section of the lead service line, they should provide the City with their plumber’s contact information by calling 201-420-2000 X1107 or e-mailing engineering@hobokennj.gov. The plumber must also obtain permits for this work from the City’s Building Department (plumbing) and Engineering Division (street/sidewalk opening).
The Contractor for this project is J.Fletcher Creamer, and the Construction Manager is CDM Smith/ENGenuity. The City of Hoboken Engineering Division is overseeing project coordination. Email questions to water@hobokennj.gov. A full-time inspector will be on site daily from CDM Smith and ENGenuity Infrastructure overseeing construction. They are also available to assist in any questions you may have. Thank you for your patience during construction.
Routine Water Infrastructure Maintenance and Outage Alerts
To see if SUEZ is working in your area, please check the “Outage & Alerts Map” at the below link:
https://www.mysuezwater.com/water-in-my-area/water-alerts-map/New%2520Jersey
Suez will be making repairs to the water main on River Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets on Tuesday, 9/8 between the hours of 8am – 4pm. During this time, River Street will be closed from 2nd to 3rd Streets. Customers in the affected area may experience low to no water pressure and/or interruption of water service from 10am – 1pm. Buildings that may be affected have been notified, including: 221 River Street, 205 Hudson Square South, 235 Hudson Street, 225 River Street- The W.
To check if you may be affected by any routine maintenance, please enter your address into the Suez water advisory map at the above link.
Complete Streets and Vision Zero improvements
Grand Street
This complete street project includes the following improvements:
- Milling and paving
- High-visibility crosswalks
- Upgraded ADA ramps
- Painted bump-outs
- Daylighting at corners
- Raised intersection at 9th Street/Grand Street
- Buffered bicycle lane.
The contractor will begin construction of drainage improvements at Grand and 9th in preparation for constructing the raised intersection. 9th Street between Adams and Grand will be closed to through traffic.
This project is funded by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).
Northwest Resiliency Park
Construction continues on the 5-acre Northwest Resiliency Park, which will be New Jersey’s largest resiliency park. The park will have above and below ground infrastructure to withhold up to 2 million gallons of rainwater to help mitigate local flooding. The following activities are anticipated the week of 9/7/2020 – 9/11/2020:
- The contractor will continue caulking and grouting the precast modular sections for the one million gallon tank through the week.
- The contractor will begin installation of the internal tank flushing system.
- The dewatering and treatment system for the tank excavation will continue to operate 24 hours per day.
The City uses a combination of low interest and interest-free loans, principal forgiveness for the resiliency features, and grant money to save over $19 million over the life of the project. The Northwest Resiliency Park also utilizes the Open Space Trust Fund to pay for the construction costs of the Northwest Park and is not utilizing any funding from the 2020 municipal budget.
More information about the Northwest Resiliency Park construction is available at www.hobokennj.gov/nwpark
Washington Street Tree Pruning
The Hoboken Business Alliance (HBA) is partnering with the City of Hoboken and the Hoboken Shade Tree Commission to improve street trees and tree pits along Washington Street. This project will not only improve the visual aesthetics of Washington Street, but will also improve the health and longevity of Hoboken’s street trees, provide vital shade, improve cooling and air quality, and contribute to climate mitigation.
The HBA hired a certified arborist to inventory all trees on Washington Street. His recommendations included weeding and mulching tree pits, adding soil, pruning trees, and removing hazardous, dying, or dead trees and stumps. In addition, he recommended locations for expanding tree pits, planting new trees, and repairing tree guards. These recommendations have also been reviewed and approved by the Hoboken Shade Tree Commission.
Tree work was delayed by Tropical Storm Isaias, and is now expected to be completed by 9/9/20. The contractor is a New Jersey Licensed Tree Expert whose arborists and crews are following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), city, and state agencies as they perform their tree work.
Unfortunately, there are instances where it has been recommended by the arborist that we remove a tree because it is either hazardous, dying or dead. The HBA plans to plant new trees at every location where trees have been removed at the appropriate time in the future.
To learn more about the Hoboken Business Alliance, visit hobokenalliance.com or follow us on Facebook @HobokenBusinessAlliance, Twitter @HobokenAlliance, and Instagram @HobokenAlliance.
South Waterfront Walkway Rehabilitation
The South Waterfront Walkway Rehabilitation project will continue with adding new plantings in the center planting beds, and resetting stones on Pier A. A new irrigation system has been installed, trees have been planted along the walkway, concrete pads have been installed for benches, and all lighting at Pier A has been upgraded to LED. Benches will be installed in future weeks.
More information about the South Waterfront Walkway Rehabilitation Project is available at https://www.hobokennj.gov/resources/south-waterfront-improvements
Elysian Park Playground Safety Surface
The northern playground remains closed as the safety surface has been removed and excavation is underway for the installation of a new drainage system, followed by a new synthetic turf playground safety surface. Construction is anticipated to be completed in the fall. Please use the southern entrance to Elysian Park during construction.
The protection of each construction site, workers, and the general public are of the utmost priority. Contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, and suppliers are following CDC guidelines and employer policies for COVID-19 protection.
