As many will recall, the road reconstruction of East Avenue from the RR tracks east to Elm Street was suspended late in the summer of 2019 when school opened. We did not want to have the deep digging and heavy construction work done while school was in session. The work is now going to re-start and will continue through August this summer. Unfortunately there will be inconvenience for businesses and residents, especially those along that stretch of East Avenue.
Next week (week of June 1) the detour we experienced last summer will return. At the Corner Bar the cars and trucks passing through town coming West to East will be diverted down Bailey Street, then out to Daretown Road, to Commissioners Road, and then back to Route 40 going East. Local traffic will be able to continue down West Avenue. But starting at the RR tracks Route 40 going East will be closed until construction is over in August. Route 40 will only be available from Elm Street to the RR tracks going West during road reconstruction.
Construction will start the week of June 8th with of digging down up to 5', removing and replacing unstable clay soil in the south side of East Avenue from the RR tracks going East. That work will be done in sections of about 500 feet per week. While the digging is done on the south side, a temporary water main will be installed on the north side. Once the digging and replacing work is finished from the RR tracks to Elm Street on the south side, the crews will start on the north side, returning from Elm in sections of about 500' per week until they get back to the RR tracks. While this is underway a new pedestrian-activated red light will be installed at the intersection of Lincoln and East Avenue. At the very end a new finish layer of asphalt will be installed.
More details will be provided to residents along East Avenue whose driveways are accessed from East Avenue.
Unfortunately this is going to be a challenging summer for Woodstown businesses, residents and visitors. However, when it's over we'll have a much more solid East Avenue. It will be less prone to cracks and pot-holes and hence create less noise and vibrations for residents who live along it. And we will have much improved pedestrian safety in front of our beautiful Woodstown High School.
