Water Main Replacement In West Orange Is Part Of $2.9M Project

WEST ORANGE, NJ — New Jersey American Water plans to replace nearly a mile of aging water mains in three North Jersey towns, including West Orange, the utility announced Friday.

The $2.9 million replacement project – which is also slated for Little Falls and New Providence – is kicking off in January, spokespeople said (see the streets below).

New Jersey American Water’s local, qualified contractors began work this week and expect to be completed within roughly two months, weather permitting. Work hours will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Work outside of these hours is not expected unless required to maintain project schedule.

Traffic restrictions and/or alternating traffic patterns are likely to occur during work hours. All emergency vehicles and local traffic will be allowed access during construction, the company stated.

Final street restorations will be completed in summer of 2023, New Jersey American Water said.

The company said it will upgrade the aging six and eight-inch cast iron water lines that were installed as far back as the 1940s with new eight and 12-inch ductile iron main along the following streets:

WEST ORANGE

• Bradford Avenue from Northfield Avenue to Cobane Terrace

LITTLE FALLS

• Hemlock Road from Long Hill Road to Crestmont Road
• High Court from Hemlock Road to the end of the cul-de-sac

NEW PROVIDENCE

• The Fellsway from Maple Street to Forest Road
• Maple Street from The Fellsway to Mountain Avenue

The project also includes replacing 10 fire hydrants and 141 utility-owned service lines along the pipeline route. Additionally, New Jersey American Water will replace any customer-owned service line that has been identified as lead or galvanized as part of a statewide initiative to remove all lead and galvanized service lines by 2031.

• See related article: New Jersey Is Replacing Its Lead Water Pipes – All Of Them

“This $2.9 million investment will continue to advance water service reliability and increase water flows for household consumption and fire protection in this community,” the company said.

The improvements are part of New Jersey American Water’s multimillion-dollar initiative to accelerate the renewal of water infrastructure that has “reached the end of its useful life” in more than 100 communities across the state.

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