Hoboken: Observer Highway Gets a $2.7 Million Facelift

Are you tired of traffic congestion and dangerous conditions on the Observer Highway in Hoboken?

These two points are the main impetus behind the city’s upcoming $2.7 million construction project to one of the busiest roads in the municipality, slated to begin on Monday, April 27.

According to a release, improvements will include synchronized traffic signals and dedicated left turn lanes, which city officials hope will reduce traffic delays, prevent collisions and create a more organized, efficient, and safer driving experience.

In addition, the Observer Highway and Vezzetti Way corridor will be converted to a more pedestrian-friendly street with redesigned crosswalk signals, pedestrian safety improvements and a two-way, protected bike lane.

Additional work includes the complete milling and paving of the Observer Highway from Hudson Street to the firehouse just west of the Henderson Street intersection.

Work is expected to last approximately six months, and will take place weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The project - which will also include a redesign of a portion of Newark Street later this year - is largely funded by grants secured by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez through a $2 million Congressional earmark for Observer Highway and a $240,000 earmark for Newark Street.

The combined Observer Highway and Newark Street project is being managed by Hudson County.

“I am very proud that this project, fully-funded through grants, will create an attractive and safe gateway into Hoboken for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit riders of all ages and abilities,” stated Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “While the main purpose of this project is to make the street safer, it will also have the benefit of reducing traffic delays along one of our busiest corridors.”

“Having too often been stuck in traffic myself on Observer Highway, I know what these much-needed upgrades will mean to such a vital corridor in and out of Hoboken,” stated Menendez.

Click here for a list of frequently asked questions about the project.

Photo courtesy of Juan Melli

Photo caption: The $2.7 million overhaul of the Observer Highway in Hoboken, seen in the rendering above, will include new traffic signals, turn lanes and pedestrian-friendly redesigns.

Send Hoboken news tips and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com