Gas Main, Sewer Work In Montclair Will Impact Local Traffic

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Gas main and sewer work is scheduled to begin in Montclair on Monday, July 27, and it is expected to impact local traffic.

PSE&G will be making gas main repairs at several locations. Meanwhile, an ongoing sewer improvement project will continue on two local streets. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.

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Here's what to know, according to a municipal advisory:

GAS MAIN

PSE&G will be making gas main repairs at several locations between July 27 and Aug. 7. Residents should expect temporary traffic impacts.

Work will take place Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the following places:

• Valley Road (at Wellesley Road): Monday, July 27
• Alexander Avenue (Valley Road to Norwood Avenue): Monday, July 27 – Friday, July 31
• Highland Avenue (Windsor Place to Warfield Street): Monday, July 27 – Friday, August 7
• Laurel Place (Upper Mountain Avenue): Tuesday, July 28 – Monday, August 3
• Upper Mountain Avenue (at Laurel Place): Tuesday, August 4 – Friday, August 7
• Warfield Street and Windsor Place: Monday, July 27 – Friday, August 7

SEWER

An ongoing sewer improvement project will resume in Montclair on July 27, and some residents may notice an unusual smell while work takes place.

Contractors and crews are scheduled to continue rehabilitating sections of Montclair's sanitary sewer system using cured-in-place pipe lining (CIPP).

Residents might experience temporary traffic impacts on the following streets during construction:

• Park Street (Cooper Avenue to Watchung Avenue): July 27 – 30
• Victoria Terrace (Park Street to Dead End): July 31

The process may cause a temporary "styrene odor" for some residents, township officials previously said – here's why:

"CIPP lining allows sewer pipes to be repaired internally with minimal excavation. The process uses a felt liner and resin material that is cured in place using steam. The resin used in the CIPP process contains styrene, a volatile organic compound. During installation, there is the potential for temporary styrene odors or vapors to travel through sewer laterals and enter structures through dry drain traps, faulty plumbing connections, cracks in foundations, or subsurface voids."

Montclair officials said residents can help minimize the potential for odors entering their homes or buildings by:

• Running water through all plumbing fixtures connected to the sanitary sewer system, including sinks, tubs, showers, and floor drains, to ensure drain traps remain full
• Keeping the drain trap full with provides a barrier that helps prevent sewer gases and odors from entering buildings during construction

Styrene can be an irritant to the upper respiratory tract, eyes, nose and throat. It can also cause headaches, fatigue, changes in color vision, and concentration or balance problems. Residents experiencing persistent symptoms or concerns can contact the Montclair Health Department at (973) 509-4970 during regular business hours.

Residents can view a copy of the door notice from the contractor distributed to affected properties here: Door Hanger Notice & Guidance.

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