Full Notification

The City of Hoboken is continuing with a number of quality of life projects this week. Below are construction updates on the City’s water main upgrades to replace 7,000 linear feet of Hoboken’s oldest water mains, construction on the 5-acre Northwest Resiliency Park and flood infrastructure, South Waterfront Walkway Rehabilitation, new playground safety surface at Elysian Park, and the renovation of the Maxwell Park dog run to replace the existing gravel with a modern synthetic turf surface.

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 7/20/2020 to 7/24/2020: 

-Tuesday 7/21/2020 thru Friday 7/24/2020: Monroe Street between 3rd and 4^th 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.

-Monday 7/20/2020 thru Friday 7/24/2020: Garden Street between 5^th Street and Observer Highway-There will be intermittent closures for abandoned hydrant removals and concrete sidewalk restoration at the hydrants and services.

-Monday 7/20/2020 thru Friday 7/24/2020: Jefferson Street from 11^th to 10^th Street will be closed and 11^th Street from Madison to Jefferson will be closed during the hours of 8am-5pm for installation of subsurface drainage storage structure.

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 

Complete Streets and Vision Zero improvements

Clinton Street

This complete street project includes the following improvements:  

-Milling and paving
-High-visibility crosswalks
-Upgraded ADA ramps
-Daylighting at corners
-New bus stops for the NJ Transit 126 bus route at 5^th Street and 7^th Street.
-Improved pavement markings and signage at all bus stops.

Beginning Tuesday, 7/14, striping is scheduled to begin on Clinton Street between Newark Street and 6^th Street, and 7^th Street to 8^th Street. Striping is expected to last approximately three days subject to weather.

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 9^th Street/Grand Street
-Buffered bicycle lane.

Construction of pedestrian ramps along Grand Street will continue during the week of July 13-17. Construction will begin on Monday, 7/13, at the intersection of Grand Street and 5^th Street and continue working north over the course of the week to 6^th Street, 7^th Street, and 8^th Street (weather permitting).

This project is funded by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).

Jackson Street

This complete street project includes the following improvements:

-Milling and paving (completed)
-High-visibility crosswalks (completed)
-Upgraded ADA ramps (completed)
-Bicycle lane (completed)
-Drainage improvements (under construction)

Beginning mid-week (July 15 or July 16), construction is tentatively scheduled to begin on drainage improvements at the intersection of Jackson Street and 8^th Street. Construction would continue through Friday, July 17, and subsequent announcements will be made regarding construction at Jackson Street and 8^th Street during the week of July 20-24.

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 this week (July 20 – 24, 2020):

-Concrete placement for the one million gallon tank foundation slab will continue on Tuesday July 21.

-Work will continue on the foundation for the one million gallon tank; this will include starting to remove the cross bracing system for the main cofferdam.

-Pile driving will continue for the Terrace foundation and Pavilion building area on Monday July 20 and possibly Tuesday July 21.   Piles will be driven with the percussion hammer.   There may also be some vibration felt in conjunction with this work.

-For more information about the noise and vibration monitoring protocols in place, visit the Noise and Vibration sections on the Construction Updates page of the project website www.hobokennj.gov/nwpark.

-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 will begin next week (July 23 – 24), and is expected to be completed within three weeks. 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 our 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 resetting pavers along the walkway next week. A new irrigation system has been installed and trees have been planted along the walkway, and all lighting at Pier A has been upgraded to LED. After the pavers are reset, 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 

Maxwell Park Dog Run

The dog run at Maxwell Park remains closed through mid August to construct improvements. The water fountain near the dog run also remains closed. Upgrades include expanding the area of the dog run and replacing the gravel surface with synthetic turf, as well as adding new benches, a dual water fountain, pet waste stations, and fencing. Three trees will need to be removed for the expansion of the dog run, and six new trees will be planted.

Site clearing and earth work activities are anticipated this week (July 20 – 24, 2020), including installing concrete pads for benches as well as the framing and stone base for the K9 turf.

Elysian Park Playground Safety Surface

The northern playground remains closed as the safety surface has been removed to prepare for the installation of a new drainage system, followed by a new synthetic turf playground safety surface. 

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.