Next Phases of Boulevard Streetscape Plan to Go for Bid Soon

Borough Engineer Ken Job recommended to the mayor and council Tuesday that the borough can hope to get a better price on the work to the next two phase of the Boulevard Streetscape Plan and finish construction by the end of the year if they can present the two phases for bid together. 

Due to the requirements for phase three a bid will need to be awarded by August of this year, Job said.

The Boulevard Streetscape Plan involves the refurbishing of the Boulevard with new brick paver ribbons, new curb cuts and new lighting. The project is being funded predominantly by grants from the Department of Transportation. For each phase of the project, which covers one block of the Boulevard on both sides, the borough has received a grant in the amount of $150,000. The total cost per phase is $200,000 and the borough puts up the additional $50,000. 

The borough has just received approval from the DOT that it will receive $150,000 towards phase four which covers the Boulevard from Franklin to Hamilton avenues. 

Job said plans and specs for phase three - Jefferson to Franklin avenues - are completed and the only thing they are waiting on is for PSE&G to finish designs for the lighting. 

Job recommended that if the borough can get the funding ordinance for phase four ready for introduction by the next mayor and council meeting they can get started on plans so they can go out to bid for both in time to meet the August deadline.  Borough Administrator Mike Kronyak said that this can be done in time for the next meeting.  

Each phase covers one block of the Boulevard. Phases one and two – Washington to Kipp and Kipp to Jefferson - are considered complete with the exception of some PSE&G electrical cleanup work, Job stated. Upgrades also include new walkways across the Boulevard made of thermoplastic, a material that is more weather resistant than real bricks.