Boulevard Streetscape: Borough To Go to Bid for Next Phases this Summer

As borough engineers work with PSE&G to prepare plans to go to bid for the next phases of the Boulevard Streetscape Project, some final details regarding completed work to the Boulevard is almost done.

Borough Engineer Ken Job told the mayor and council during the most recent work session meeting that he expects PSE&G officials to remove the old street lights from the parts of the Boulevard – both sides of the street from Washington to Kipp to Jefferson- this month. The next step will involve determining what the light levels are like on the Boulevard and then adjusting the wattage of the decorative light posts accordingly.

Job said the borough will be prepared to go to bid for the construction of the next two phases of the project this summer which will allow for expected completion of the work in the fall.  Work will be done to improve both sides of the Boulevard from Jefferson to Franklin to Hamilton.

Upgrades include new brick pavers, curbs and lighting and the project is funded predominantly by grants from the Department of Transportation. Each grant in the amount of $150,000 goes towards one block, or one phase, of the project. To date the borough has received four grants in the amount of $150,000 for this project. As each phase of the project costs about $200,000, the borough puts up the remaining $50,000 towards each phase.

The designs for phases three and four should reflect the for barrier free handicap curb ramps which was discussed during the April work session meeting. At that time, Jobs had explained to borough officials that the designs for phases one and two were close enough and should be okayed but the borough will not know for sure until a final inspection is done.