Sorry, July 4 Fans: Part Of Hoboken Waterfront Walkway To Remain Closed Due To Sinkhole

HOBOKEN, NJ — The sinkhole that opened up on Sinatra Drive in Hoboken two weeks ago may not be the only potential hazard on the waterfront walkway, city officials said Tuesday. Thus, they're keeping part of the sidewalk closed longer while engineers conduct more tests.

Since the Macy's July 4 fireworks have returned to the Hudson River this year, the city is expecting an influx of visitors that weekend. While most of the roadway along the waterfront has remained open, the city said in its message that they will release related information this week "including viewing areas and potential road closures and traffic impacts."(UPDATE: View the guidelines here.)

The sinkhole, which contained some water from the river, was discovered in the road near the city's central waterfront on June 14.

The city at first sent a message to residents the next day saying the walkway along the road would be closed from Seventh to Ninth streets for "several weeks."

Now it will take longer.

Here is the city's message sent Tuesday, June 25:

On Friday, June 14, at approximately 4 p.m., a sinkhole was discovered along the Hudson River waterfront walkway near Sybil’s Cave. City engineers responded immediately, and with the help of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Hoboken Police secured the affected area located at a parking spot on Sinatra Drive.

On Saturday, June 15, third-party marine engineers and divers began an inspection of the bulkhead and found additional areas of soil displacement that will require further investigation.

While the sinkhole was patched last week, the area will remain closed until engineering designs for permanent repairs are completed.

Out of an abundance of caution, the engineers have also conducted preliminary inspections of the bulkhead from First to 15th street. Based on these inspections, and the potential for over 100,000 people to come to the waterfront for Fourth of July fireworks, the City will be closing additional waterfront areas as a precautionary measure. The affected areas include:

• The Sinatra Park boat launch and ramp.
• The eastern lane of Sinatra Drive and the waterfront walkway from Seventh Street at the gazebo to Ninth Street at Castle Point Skate Park.
• Additional areas of the waterfront walkway may be temporarily closed for additional inspection, as needed. Please be mindful of barricaded areas.

In the coming weeks, marine engineers will continue with more in-depth inspections of the waterfront, utilizing dive teams and ground-penetrating radar. Once investigations have been completed, a determination will be made as to when affected areas will be reopened to the public.

For updates on the progress of repairs and any changes to the closure areas, please visit the City's construction website: www.hobokennj.gov/construction.

Additional Fourth of July information will be released this week including viewing areas and potential road closures and traffic impacts.

More Information

Other sinkholes have opened in Hoboken through the years, including one last year near ongoing water main work. The city is working to fix the century-old underground infrastructure.

In 2017, a sinkhole swallowed an SUV in the mile-square city.

READ MORE: City Discovers Sinkhole On Sinatra Drive