Some Hoboken Water Main Valves Were Paved Over Too, Company Confirms

HOBOKEN, NJ — Besides accidentally paving over some sump pump drains in Hoboken during paving on Park Avenue last week, county workers also paved over water main valves, the local water company confirmed.

"Not sure how many were covered, but it's being resolved," said a spokesperson for Veolia water.

Sump Pumps, Not Storm Drains

Technically, drains that help with indoor flooding were paved over, not storm drains or sewers.

The paving gaffes, first reported by Patch on Tuesday afternoon, are being fixed in advance of Tropical Storm Debby, Hudson County officials have said.

Debby is fewer than 700 miles from Hoboken, expected to bring more than 2 inches of rain through Friday. (See exactly how far away the storm is with links here.)

Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla blasted county officials this week, saying they should have fixed the issue more quickly. Councilwoman Emily Jabbour said she had tipped off County Commissioner Anthony Romano, who's also a part-time Hoboken public safety consultant, to the problem last Thursday.

County Executive Craig Guy said officials responded as soon as they knew there was an issue.

"Throughout July and into August, the County has worked with the City of Hoboken and a hired contractor to repave parts of Park Avenue in Hoboken," he said Thursday. "This project was much needed, and crews worked throughout the day, often in temperatures exceeding 90 degrees, to complete this project. But let me be clear: any mistakes made by the county contractor have been – and are being –remedied."

Read more:

• Bhalla And Guy Spar On Hoboken Paving Problems
• County Workers Accidentally Pave Over Drains In Hoboken Before Storms
• Street Closures At Hoboken Borders 'Unacceptable,' Councilwoman Says