As PSE&G repairs and replaces the gas main line under South Orange Avenue from Ridgewood Road up to Mayhew the next couple of months, drivers can expect lane closures and backed up traffic at times.
Because South Mountain Elementary School sits at South Orange Avenue and Wyoming — and buses ferrying students to other schools in the district cross South Orange Avenue, school district and South Orange Village officials asked PSE&G to not work during drop off and pick up times, said Village Administrator Julie Doran.
“PSE&G did agree that they would not start roadwork in the morning until 9 a.m. after the commute and the school opening is finished, which is quite helpful,” Doran told the Village Council on Monday night. “Then they agreed to hold their lunch break during school dismissal time for both — South Orange Middle School and South Mountain Elementary School.”
Doran said gas main replacement construction is expected to last two to three months. “So it should be completed by the end of this year.”
South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum said the work is inconvenient but necessary.
“As I say, with all the utility work that’s happening, whether it’s lead line replacement or PSE&G upgrades, is we appreciate everyone’s patience. We understand this is a hardship. It’s frustrating, but it’s work that needs to be done. We should be grateful that this work is definitely happening, and it’s a short term inconvenience for long term benefits for our community.”
Collum advised drivers trying to get across town via South Orange Avenue to plan ahead and to sign up for emergency alerts, which include road closures at www.southorange.org.
Jessica Plimpton with PSE&G said PSE&G officials worked with local officials to review the scope of the work and determine work plans to minimize public impact and maintain safety.
Gas main construction work on South Orange Aveune is expected to continue for the next two or three months. (Photo by Laura Griffin)
Gas main replacement will be done from Ridgewood Road west to Mayhew Drive. PSE&G has agreed not work work during school drop off and pick up times for both South Mountain Elementary and South Orange Middle schools. (Photo by Laura Griffin)
