Hoboken Mayor: Suez Can Resume Work, But There Are Conditions

HOBOKEN, NJ — After a “disaster” of a kickoff to Suez Water’s underground meter project in southwest Hoboken last month, Mayor Ravi Bhalla is allowing the company to resume work… with some conditions.

Bhalla shut down the Suez project at Harrison and Newark streets on June 27 after serious traffic issues related to the work congested the city and frustrated residents the previous weekend.

A company spokesperson previously told Patch that the work was “not a Suez project.” However, a social media post from Suez on June 22 advised residents of Hoboken and Jersey City about planned work that evening on Newark and Harrison streets.

• See related article: Hoboken Mayor Shuts Down Construction Work After Traffic Trouble

On Wednesday, Bhalla said that he is letting Suez resume their work, which involves updating an underground water meter.

“The first weekend of their scheduled work was a disaster,” Bhalla said. “They were not prepared to hold everyone accountable on their traffic control responsibilities, making everything fall on Hoboken’s shoulders and causing traffic problems far worse than anyone anticipated. I suspended their project. I’m cautiously optimistic their revised plan will be better, but I will be keeping a close eye on its impact. I am prepared to suspend their project again if need be.”

According to Bhalla, the plan involves a “contractual obligation” from New Jersey State Police to have 12 traffic control officers on the scene at all times with six directing traffic from the Hoboken side and six directing traffic from the Jersey City side.

As part of the contract, if, at any time there are not 12 officers working, the City of Hoboken intends to suspend the project, Bhalla stated.

So what does this mean for Hoboken commuters this weekend?

“Due to construction work being done to upgrade the underground water meter facility, the following roads in southwest Hoboken will be closed this weekend beginning 8 p.m. on Friday and reopening 5 a.m. on Monday,” officials said.

• Harrison Street will be closed at Paterson Avenue not allowing southbound traffic from Paterson Avenue to Observer
• Harrison Street will be closed at Observer not allowing southbound traffic from Observer to Newark Street
• Newark Street from Monroe to Harrison Street will be closed to both east and west bound traffic

Additionally, the westbound lane of Newark (between Madison and Monroe) will be tapered with traffic cones two left turn only lanes onto Grove Street, officials said. NJ Transit buses will be allowed to travel to Jackson Street to complete their route.

“Please plan ahead and give yourself extra time when traveling,” city officials stated in a news release.

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