$200K Decrease In Road Paving Contracts Approved In Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A slew of changes to multiple road projects in the township has resulted in an overall reduction of $200,000.

"Overall, there were increases and decreases, but overall it's approximately a $200,000 overall decrease," said Township Administrator Michael Pappas at the Oct. 6 Council meeting. "We certainly appreciate our engineering staff and the contractors who’ve been very diligent with the funds that the council provides for road programs."

The council unanimously approved five resolutions to authorize the change orders.

"Lots of things happened during the weeks that an individual project is underway. Things are discovered that could not be foretold," said Council President Howard Norgalis.

Hitting blue stone where shale was expected was one of the issues that arose.

Additionally, Norglais said a resident abutting one of the projects also raised concerns about runoff. The township engineer evaluated the situation and recommended an additional drain pipe or sewer collector as a result.

"Seventy years ago, residential streets did not have or require the best practices that we adhere to today," said Norgalis. "We are designing and engineering our roads for the future, and the future starts tomorrow."

Below are a list of the resolutions approved with the change orders:

• Authorizing change order to increase the contract price from $1,240,166.31 to $1,247,146.49, an increase of 0.56 percent or $6,980.18 to ADG Contracting Corp., which includes the entire length of Sherlin Drive, Cornell Road, and Southbrook Drive, and a portion of Fairfield Road - funded through the 2024 road improvement - capital fund
• Authorizing change order to increase the contract price from $632,695.60 to $641,017.92 an increase of 1.32 percent or $8,322.32, to ADG Contracting Corp., which includes the entire length of Bellacone Street, Buxton Road, Central Avenue, Charles Street, Cheshire Road, Cole Street, Croyden Road, Fairmont Avenue, Rector Road, Sherwood Road, Thomas Street, Timber Lane, and a portion of Blossom Drive - funded through the 2024 road improvement - capital fund
• Authorizing change order to increase the contract price from $1,177,439.91 to $1,220,093.98 an overall increase of $42,654.17 to ADG Contracting Corp., for the Stony Brook Drive improvement project sections I & II and the pedestrian pathway, which includes the entire length of Stony Brook Drive - funded through the 2023 road improvement - capital fund
• Authorizing change order to decrease the contract price from $1,263,133.80 to $1,043,571.58 a decrease of 17.38 percent or $219,562.23 to ADG Contracting Corp., which includes the entire length of Carlene Drive, Floral Drive, Farmer Road, Juleo Court, North Branch Road, and Juniper Lane(Country Club Road to North Branch Road) - funded through the 2023 road improvement - capital fund
• Authorizing change order to decrease the contract price from $399,158.58 to $393,405.08 a decrease of 1.44 percent or $5,753.50 to Top Line Construction Corp. which includes the entire length of Perrine Road, Davis Court, Bittle Court, and Weaver Drive - funded through the 2024 road improvement - capital fund

The Township just completed its fourth year of the five-year plan. During that time, they have improved just over 260 of the township’s roughly 600 roads, according to Township Engineer William Burr.

Residents can track the progress of each project at www.ourBWroads.com.

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