Here’s What Comes Next For Washington Street In West Orange

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange is moving forward with its construction plans for a busy stretch of roadway.

An update about the Washington Street Corridor Improvement Project was shared at a meeting at Town Hall on Oct. 7.

According to a statement from the township, Phase II upgrades will be aimed at improving pedestrian safety, accessibility and walkability along Washington Street from Liberty Street to Meade Street.

Planned improvements include new sidewalks, enhanced crosswalks, ADA-compliant curb ramps, improved signage, decorative streetscape lighting, and new curbing. Additional amenities will include street trees, benches, bicycle racks, trash receptacles and other streetscape enhancements.

Streetscape amenities have been coordinated with the West Orange Historical Commission to complement the area's historic character, a township spokesperson said.

The project is supported by $830,668 in federal funding secured through the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program. The federal grant provides full reimbursement to the township for eligible design, construction and inspection costs.

Preliminary engineering is expected to be completed by December 2026, with final design scheduled from April 2027 through March 2028. Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2028.

The upcoming construction on Washington Street will build on the Phase I upgrades, which included work along Washington Street between Main Street and High Street.

COUNTY ALSO PLANNING UPGRADES

In a related initiative, Essex County is developing improvements to the intersection of Watchung Avenue and Washington Street, including upgraded ADA curb ramps.

West Orange and the county will coordinate their plans to ensure consistent design on both projects, the township said.

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