When Will the Barricades Come Down

credit: NJ.com

One of the top questions I get is: When will the barricades along the waterfront finally be removed? 

Unfortunately, the answer is not anytime soon.
The administration is continuing its investigation and design process for repairs to the sea wall in various areas along the waterfront. As Chair of the subcommittee overseeing this issue, I was briefed last week on the extent of the necessary repairs and the potential timeline. While there is still much work to be done, the earliest we might see the barricades removed is next fall. However, depending on permit requirements from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), this could extend into spring of the following year.

WHY IS THIS TAKING SO LONG?


The short answer: it's a big project after years of deferred maintenance. The waterfront was not properly maintained over the past 15 years, and this is the direct result. Moving forward, I have asked that engineers include a comprehensive maintenance plan in their work, which would involve regular inspections, including divers going into the water to identify and address potential issues early.  This is something that many of the private owners along the waterfront – including the Hudson Tea HOA – already do.
Additionally, the engineers have completed a preliminary heat map highlighting priority areas for repair that are being addressed in this project.  They are also now conducting a deeper dive (pun intended) into other areas of concern. We expect to receive the results of this detailed review in about three months.

INTERIM PEDESTRIAN AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

Given the extended timeline, I have asked the city to explore how we can make the west side of Sinatra Drive more accessible and pedestrian-friendly as well as the street itself safer for bike riders during this period. Some steps have already been taken, such as adding crosswalks, but more improvements are needed.  These include:
  • Adding additional lighting and dividers to slow traffic.
  • Exploring the possibility of making Sinatra Drive one-way to improve safety and traffic flow.
However, making Sinatra one-way could create ripple effects across the city, so this option is being evaluated carefully.

IMPACT ON PLANNED SINATRA DRIVE UPGRADES AND MARITIME PARK

The administration and its engineers are working to coordinate the waterfront repairs with the Sinatra Drive improvement and Maritime Park project to expedite completion of all projects.

COST?

A lot. We are still working to better understand the full financial impact of the repairs and will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
I know this situation is frustrating, and I’ll continue to push for updates and improvements while advocating for better maintenance practices moving forward.

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