Borough Seeks More State Funding for Streetscape Project

As construction upgrades along the Boulevard are about to get underway, borough officials are looking ahead towards the next phase of the project.

Work to upgrade the Boulevard between Jefferson up to Hamilton should begin the first week of October, Kenneth Job, borough engineer told officials Tuesday night.

Saying the deadline to apply to the state Department of Transportation for 2012 project funding is next week, Job recommended that the borough apply for the next phase of the project—the area of the Boulevard between Hamilton and Walter.

The borough has received four grants to date from the DOT, for a total of  $590,000, towards the ongoing project which improves the streets along the Boulevard with the installation of new sidewalks, lighting and walkways. Each grant, which on average is in the amount of about $150,000, goes towards each phase of the project. Each phase represents one block, both sides of the street.

The first two phases—the area of the Boulevard from Washington to Kipp and Kipp to Jefferson are completed. Construction to improve the Boulevard from Jefferson to Franklin to Hamilton is next.

It was recommended by Job that the borough combine the work of two phases into one project in order to bring costs down and stay ahead of schedule with the project. Last month the to Reggio Construction of Fort Lee in the amount of $234,942.50.

The borough will move ahead with the project provided they can continue to receive the grant funding, officials have stated. The grant money goes solely towards construction costs and the borough supplies the funding towards the engineering costs and whatever additional costs may be needed towards the project, Borough Administrator Mike Kronyak explained previously.  To date, the borough has added on $160,000 towards all four phases of the project.