45°
Market Street at River Drive was closed in one direction for the first phase of a sewer force main installation project.
Traffic on River Drive was diverted to River Road near River View East restaurant and the Soundview Paper Company (formerly Marcal Paper) as part of the PSE&G Energy Strong program.
Construction at the Boulevard railroad crossing further complicated traffic, however this project is expected to be completed before the weekend.
The detours and delays are temporary traffic disruptions that will provide long term benefits, officials said.
“The traffic disruptions are a short-term inconvenience for long-term improvements,” Borough Clerk Keith Kazmark told Daily Voice. “We are doing everything we can to minimize disruptions to residents, businesses and commuters.”
While projects on River Drive and Boulevard are expected to wrap up quickly, the Market Street construction is part of a larger ongoing project that involves coordination between county and municipal agencies.
“Market Street is is a lot of different puzzle pieces,” Kazmark explained, noting he anticipates the majority of the work to be completed no later than Thanksgiving.
The new sewer force main will run the length of Market Street from the Passaic River to the pump station at Market and Boulevard — also slated for reconstruction this spring— and be done in small sections to minimize disruptions to local businesses.
Once the main is complete, the county will pave the roadway from the river to the town line and the borough will begin the second phase of a streetscaping project entailing brick pavers, lighting and benches, which is funded through a $575,000 federal grant.
In addition, the county is preparing to widen the intersection at Market Street and Boulevard to improve safety. This project, Kazmark noted, will impact the planning and coordination of the streetscape improvements.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Saddle Brook-Elmwood Park and receive free news updates.
