Livingston Is Paving The Way For Asphalt Sidewalks

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Yes, it’s a homeowner’s responsibility to take care of sidewalks on their property. But an updated ordinance may lighten the burden for some residents, town officials say.

The township’s updated sidewalk ordinance now allows sidewalks on most roads to be made of asphalt, which is less expensive than concrete, which had previously been required.

In fact, only three roads in Livingston still require concrete sidewalks, town officials say:

• South Livingston Avenue: from East Hobart Gap Road to Route 10
• East and West Northfield Roads: from the Livingston Traffic Circle at Route 10 to the West Orange border
• Route 10 from the West Orange border to the East Hanover border

“Livingston property owners are reminded that they are responsible for maintaining, repairing, or replacing any sidewalk on their property,” town officials recently stated in a news release.

Residents and property owners with damaged, overgrown, or otherwise impassable sidewalks on their properties are urged to move forward with repairs or replacement as soon as possible, officials encouraged – here’s why:

“Cracked, uneven, overgrown and otherwise damaged sidewalks are unsafe. Depending on the level of damage, individuals might be likely to trip and/or fall due to the unevenness of the surface. In addition, pedestrians — including school children — may not be able to use certain sidewalks at all, forcing students to walk in the street.”

Properties that are still required to replace their sidewalks with concrete will be able to participate in the township’s Cost-Share Sidewalk Repair program. The program will reimburse for 50 percent of the cost of the concrete sidewalk, subject to approval of the township engineer as to the “reasonableness of the charges.”

All residences with sidewalks in need of repair or replacement that are located on streets not listed above should begin their asphalt sidewalk replacements or repairs as soon as possible, officials said. For more information, visit livingstonnj.org/Maps.

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