$6.1M Proposed To Improve, Pave Bridgewater Roads In 2025

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Township has rolled out its plan to improve 20 roads with more to come as part of Bridgewater's $40 million 5-year road improvement plan.

Township Engineer William Burr gave a presentation on the 2025 road program at the June 26 Council meeting.

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 Burr.

"So almost half the roads have been improved over the last four to five years," said Burr. "That averages out to 50 or 60 a year we’ve been improving, which I still pinch myself sometimes. The fact that we are able to pull it all together and get it done each year is, in my opinion, pretty impressive. A lot of work, a lot of effort goes into it and it's very gratifying, frankly."

This year will mark the fourth year of the five-year plan. Burr said the Township is proposing the same rationale they have used each year as far as taking a regional approach to improve roads around the Township.

The Township has divided Bridgewater into 6 road improvement sub-regions. They then pick a cluster of roads from each sub-regions and go out to bid as packages for both the engineering work and construction, which helps to create cost savings.

"If I had to put a number on it you are saving least 20 percent by grouping the roads together in each of those regions and attacking in that manner," said Burr. "Frankly it allowed us to get more roads done that we otherwise would have not been able to."

To complete the 2025 plan, the Township Council introduced a $6.1 million ordinance that includes 10 roads:

• Monroe Street
• Jackson Street
• Villa Drive
• Cabot Hill Road
• Sunset Drive
• Meiners Drive
• Ridge Road
• Middle Road
• Bolmer Farm Road
• Blazier Road

Work on these roads will include curbing, milling, paving, drainage, sewer and other miscellaneous improvements.

"I just want to remind residents that the roads listed on this ordinance are not the entire list of roads," said Mayor Matthew Moench. "When we go out to bid we will put different add-ons, options to the packages, to try and make sure we are getting the best deal to maximize the number of roads.
These are the main roads in which we will build around and we will add to that list as we get bid packages back."

Additionally, the Township has received roughly $1.8 million in grants from the New Jersey Department of Transportation to complete more road projects including:

• Van Veghten Drive
• South Avenue
• Various sidewalks, ramps, and portions of road in neighborhoods around Adamsville Elementary
• Goldfinch Drive
• Ardsley Lane
• Country Club Road(Roosevelt to Township border)
• Plymouth Road
• Jeffrey Lane
• Ryan Way

"What we are looking at is 20 or 22 roads. We have proposed almost 50 roads but many are alternate bid roads," said Burr. "We’re really trying to give us maximum flexibility in getting as much work done under that $6.1 million as possible."

The ordinance was introduced, except for Council Vice President Filipe Pedroso, who voted against it.

"I support roads being repaired, and I am generally OK with the $6.1 million number. However, since it comes out of a bond of the broader budget package, I think the budget is excessive, I am going to have to vote no," said Pedroso, referring to the $51.1 million municipal budget passed earlier in the evening.

Moench noted that even though 2025 is the final year of the five-year road program the Township will reassess to determine how they plan to move forward in the coming years.

"We will take a look at that going forward, that we’ll continue to do an aggressive road program, but we may recommend less than $8 million a year going forward," said Moench. "It’s really phenomenal that we can continue to do this project, but be able to do it this year with a significant amount of money that doesn’t come out of our taxpayers."

The public hearing and final action on the bond ordinance is scheduled for July 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the municipal courtroom.

See the introduced ordinance below:

11a by Alexis Tarrazi on Scribd

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.