Bridgewater's 5-Year Road Plan 'On Track' To Improve 250-300 Roads

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater is at the halfway mark of its $40 million 5-year road improvement plan and Township Engineer William Burr says it is on track to achieving its goal.

"To this point, I would say it has been very successful," said Burr at the Jan. 19 Council meeting.

At the end of 2020, the township launched the plan to spend $8 million each year over the next 5 years to remedy the roadways. The target was to improve half of the township's 600 roadways or 250 to 300 roads by the end of the plan.

"After the first 2 years, I am confident in saying we are on track to hitting the original goal laid out. So far so good," said Burr.

Council President Michael Kirsh reminded residents that the goal of the plan is not to have "pristine roads" but instead have "fully functional and still attractive roads."

"Our goal is roads that are functional and as attractive as possible but roads will still have cracks and other things in them. We are simply not in a position at any time in the near future to make pristine roads throughout," said Kirsh.

Burr added that if the township had an unlimited budget every township road could be rebuilt.

"But that's not the reality… we want safe roads, presentable roads," said Burr.

The goal is to improve roads so that they are functional for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Additionally, Burr noted that after the five-year plan is completed, the township should not need to fully reconstruct roads moving forward and will be able to focus on preventative maintenance.

"We will still have to mill and overlay but not get to a point where we totally have to rebuild the entire substructure of the road," said Burr.

Councilman Timothy Ring said, "Right now we are playing catch up because we never had a long-term road plan in this town until this project. Once we hopefully get ahead of this curve, it's a lot easier to do more of that in-depth maintenance."

In 2022, Burr said the township planned to improve 57 roads. Of that, 45 were completed. The remainder will be completed in the upcoming spring.

Road Improvement Plan Proposal For 2023

Burr outlined six projects tackling different sections of the township for roadway improvements in 2023.

• Region 1 - Finderne section near Fulton Avenue and surrounding streets off Finderne Avenue and Main Street
• Region 2 - In the area of Old York Road and Milltown roads in the neighborhood of Hancock Avenue and Duval Street
• Region 3 - In the area of Garreston road and BRHS roads include Rolling Hills Road, Fox Trot and Spring Valley (these would all be covered under a $560K grant from NJDOT). The region also includes roads Carlene Drive and Farmer Road
• Region 4 - Improvements around sunset lake. Finish the rest of the roads on the southside of the lake and Peach Tree, Timberline Drive area, and two others off Mine Road
• Region 5 - Improve the entire section between Woodlawn Avenue and North Bridge Street including Somerset Avenue, Highland Avenue, Hillside Avenue, Prospect Avenue, and Orchard Street. Also Crestwood Drive and Branch Road
• Region 6 - Roads running along Washington Valley Road including East Brook, April Drive, Mayflower Court, Loft Drive, and the Blazier Road neighborhood. Additionally, the two neighborhoods on the southside of Route 22 including Shady Lane, Deerhead Drive, Glen Road, Crest Drive, and Saratoga Avenue

Burr recommended the township council agree to move forward with the plan to help get things rolling sooner and a chance to save money.

The 2023 project is estimated at $8 million.

Councilman Filipe Pedroso questioned whether to wait until the town budget was completed before agreeing to anything.

Township Administrator Michael Pappas said a budget proposal should be introduced in April. However, warned of delaying a vote on a plan would push back work on the project.

Councilman Allen Kurdyla requested the township council introduce a bond ordinance at the next meeting.

The township has a website, ourbwroads.com, where residents can learn more about the 5-year plan, see how their roads rank as far as worst to best and also see upcoming projects.

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