BY JOHN SNYDER
OF PASCACK PRESS
HILLSDALE, N.J.—Borough Engineer Christopher P. Statile reports that Hillsdale Avenue, Washington Avenue, Orchard Street, and Park View Drive railroad grade crossing replacements are under way.
The project, by NJDOT and NJ Transit, will see two grade crossings reconstructed at a time. The work is federally funded.
Statile’s report, accepted at the Jan. 15 council meeting, says the state soon will publish the public notice of the Diagnostic Team Review Meeting held Oct. 18, 2018 and then refer the matter to NJDOT’s commissioner.
From there, work can commence. It is expected to last six months.
“The DOT believes they will be working this late spring and require about a week for each crossing,” Statile said.
The Police Department asked that work be scheduled for the summer, when the traffic volume is lower. The DOT will consider that request, Statile said.
NJ Transit will provide busing for rail patrons during the work when rail service is disrupted at each crossing, he added.
In other Planning Board news, there is progress on the 2019 NJDOT Local Freight Impact Grant application for the industrial zone, with the application for $2.2 million submitted Jan. 11.
The grant program helps state municipalities and counties fund projects that emphasize and enhance the safe movement of large truck traffic, renew aging structures that carry large truck traffic, promote economic development, and support new transportation opportunities.
“For the two traffic counts on Patterson Street, we have a 12 percent truck volume, which qualifies for the grant,” Statile said.
PSEG substation (switch station) upgrades in the industrial zone are ongoing, Statile said. PSE&G is continuing with interior work in the new GIS hall/building and control room. PSEG anticipates it will commission the new GIS building in May and complete related site work in July.
There’s good news on 2018 NJDOT Local Aid for pedestrian improvements on Piermont Avenue, given a $199,650 non-matching grant, with design services by the borough.
The new sidewalk designs along Piermont Avenue are finalized and will be ready to advertise for bids this winter for an early 2019 contract award, Statile said.
Centennial Field monitoring under the current permit continues: groundwater, methane at the surface, and methane venting.
Statile said reduced testing of methane vent constituents, allowed under the current permit, “which have not been detected … has already reduced sampling and testing costs.”
Lincoln Avenue paving improvements were on hold until 2019. Now, Woodcliff Lake has a $202,068 NJDOT Local Aid grant to mill and resurface its half of Lincoln Avenue.
“They are asking Hillsdale to participate in improving the other half of the street, from Magnolia Avenue to the landfill, which we estimate is approximately $41,000,” Statile said.
“Woodcliff Lake has indicated they will hold up their project pending our Discretionary Aid application to the NJDOT for our half of the funding. They have up to 18 months to award their contract after execution of the agreement with the state,” he added.
Barrier-free corner ramps– county roads (along Piermont Avenue) are ongoing, to be reimbursed by the county.
Statile said the work will be undertaken as soon as he can get it on the contractor’s schedule, possibly in November.
The cost of design, construction, and construction oversight is reimbursable from Bergen County under a state DOT grant.