Nutley Recaps Recent Road Work, Shares Plans For Spring And Summer

NUTLEY, NJ — Nutley has been paving the way for road improvements this spring and summer, officials say.

Township officials recently provided some background about several road paving and reconstruction projects that will be taking place this year – also outlining some work that has recently crossed the finish line.

“New Jersey winters are tough on our roads,” Nutley Town Commissioner Joseph Scarpelli said.

Scarpelli said that snow, fluctuating temperatures and freeze-thaw cycles can lead to significant wear and structural breakdown.

“This year, we’re addressing that head-on with a coordinated plan to restore and improve streets throughout Nutley,” the commissioner said.

Here are some projects that have been happening in the township – or are currently on the to-do list (article continues below).

NJDOT FUNDING

Nutley’s paving and infrastructure work is funded through a combination of federal aid, state grants and local capital improvement allocations.

Major funding is acquired through an annual grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT), which is typically reserved for “high-traffic, multi-jurisdictional roadways.” These projects often include complete roadway reconstruction, along with curb and sidewalk replacement.

Recent DOT-funded projects include:

• Upgrades to Chestnut Street (Franklin Avenue to Whitford Avenue and full streetscape enhancements in the business district)
• Full reconstruction of Vreeland Avenue (Franklin Avenue to Bloomfield Avenue) in 2024
• Coeyman Avenue (Bloomfield Avenue to the Bloomfield line) and Bloomfield Avenue (High Street to Raymond Avenue), both scheduled for completion in 2025

CDBG GRANTS

Another funding source for road repairs in Nutley is the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program administered through Essex County, which supports infrastructure projects in neighborhoods that meet specific criteria.

Recent CDBG-funded projects include:

• Full reconstruction of Sunset Drive and Ravine Avenue in 2023 and 2024
• Scheduled improvements to Prospect Street (Chestnut Street to High Street), including ADA-compliant ramps, new sidewalks, upgraded curbs and intersection improvements (work is scheduled to begin in May 2025)

LOCAL CAPITAL BUDGET, PSEG

Nutley also allocates between $500,000 and $700,000 annually from its Capital Improvement Budget for local roadway improvements, officials said.

This year, local funds will focus on resurfacing streets recently impacted by PSE&G gas main upgrades to ensure full curb-to-curb restoration. Each paving project includes ADA-compliant curb ramps and selective repairs to curbs, sidewalks, and driveway aprons to maximize longevity and ensure pedestrian safety, officials said.

To date, more than 75 percent of Nutley’s streets have been repaved primarily through the township’s ongoing partnership with PSE&G to repave roads following long-term gas main replacement work, officials noted.

In 2024, PSE&G completed full curb-to-curb repaving in the northwest section of town, bordered by High Street, Bloomfield Avenue and Kingsland Street. The township is currently delaying full reconstruction in the Church Street / High Street / Bloomfield Avenue / Franklin Avenue area until PSE&G completes gas main work, but that area will also soon undergo upgrades, officials said.

Mountainview Avenue, Beech Street (both between Bloomfield Avenue and Prospect Street), and Bloomfield Avenue (Raymond Avenue to Chestnut Street) have recently had full surfacing following the winter’s utility work, officials added.

“Once PSE&G finishes upgrades in this section, our goal is to have repaved nearly every road in Nutley,” Scarpelli said. “In the meantime, our crews continue to make targeted repairs to keep streets safe and passable.”

CRACK SEALING

New this year, the township will also launch a “crack sealing preventative maintenance program” for roads paved within the last five years. The project will help to keep water from penetrating the pavement and damaging the road base, officials said.

“Crack sealing helps us protect our investment,” Scarpelli said.

“By sealing out water and preventing subsurface damage, we can significantly extend the lifespan of roads and reduce the need for more costly repairs down the line,” Scarpelli added.

POTHOLES

Meanwhile, pothole repairs continue throughout the year (using cold patch during the winter months and hot asphalt from mid-April through November).

Nutley DPW crews are also applying in-house skim coats on roads that show surface wear but don’t yet require full reconstruction, a technique that smooths roadways and adds a protective layer against further deterioration, officials said.

Recent skim coat applications have been completed on Stager Street, Race Street, and Brookfield Avenue near Franklin Avenue, with additional locations scheduled for summer and fall.

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