Causeway streetscape project vote likely Nov. 8

Woodcliff Lake Causeway via Borough of Woodcliff Lake video.

WOODCLIFF LAKE—A likely vote on the Causeway Streetscape Project is expected at the Nov. 8 meeting of the mayor and council. Bids for beautifying Centennial Causeway — the borough’s gateway spanning the Woodcliff Lake Reservoir — were due Nov. 4.

At the governing body’s Oct. 18 meeting, borough engineer Evan Jacobs of Neglia Engineering said the borough went out for bids on improvements and needed to approve the project at its Nov. 8 meeting to qualify for a $175,000 state transportation grant.

Jacobs said there has been “much coordination between the town, Suez, and other entities” to move forward on the improvements, along Woodcliff Avenue, generally between Mill Road and Broadway.

On Oct. 22, the borough published a bid notice soliciting contractors, saying the project generally consists of 800 square yards of concrete sidewalk, 1,550 linear feet of curbing, and landscaping and minor drainage improvements.

Padilla said if the weather holds out the contractors may get work done this year or early next year; otherwise it would become a spring project.

Officials also said the pedestrian lighting along the south side of the causeway was planned to be upgraded by PSE&G, after it expressed concerns about outdated lighting and lack of illumination.

Padilla said that the borough has been negotiating with NJ Transit over a needed fence replacement and with Suez over related improvements over the reservoir.

Padilla said the borough estimated it would spend $350,000 for the causeway improvements, which included the $175,000 state DOT grant. He noted, “This year, with supply chain issues, we’ve seen some things costing more.”