More than a year after Essex County approved funding, the Township of South Orange has announced that the Irvington Avenue Streetscape Improvement project will begin in South Orange on September 14.
Essex County will be updating crosswalks, curbs, lighting and trash receptacles along Irvington Avenue through South Orange, Maplewood and Newark. In South Orange, the affects streets along Irvington Avenue are the following:
- Tichenor Avenue and Riggs Place
- Fairview Avenue and W. Fairview Avenue
- College Place and Wesley Place
(Note: According to Maplewood Mayor Frank McGehee, the county is using a phased approach for the project, starting in South Orange on Irvington Avenue near Prospect and working their way into Maplewood.)
Note: Ward and Irvington are not scheduled to be done although the South Orange Board of Trustees passed a resolution asking for Essex County to consider that intersection for future improvements.
On July 25, 2019, the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders approved two resolutions to allocate $1,062,266.95 for the completion of the Irvington Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project. According to the County, “The project was the idea of the Village of South Orange’s Irvington Avenue Corridor Advisory Committee, and its goal is to revitalize the street and commercial districts along Irvington Avenue in the towns of South Orange, Maplewood and Newark.”
The county reported that the plan includes “creating a bike route that connects the corridor and the various municipalities, improving public spaces and encouraging infill development, sidewalk renovations, new lighting, and establishing the corridor’s eastern end, where Parker Avenue meets Irvington Avenue, as a new destination point for patrons from the surrounding areas called ‘Maplewood Corners.’”
“Once completed, the Irvington Avenue corridor will be in compliance with Essex County’s Complete Streets policy, which will allow for safe travel by those walking, cycling, driving, and riding public transportation.”
From South Orange Township:
Be advised that the County of Essex, in an effort to provide quality services to the citizens of the Township of South Orange Village, City of Newark, Township of Maplewood, is beginning construction, to modernize the Irvington Avenue.
Construction Start Date: September 14, 2020
Notice to the Residents of the Township of South Orange Village, City of Newark, Township of Maplewood.
Be advised that the County of Essex, in an effort to provide quality services to the citizens of the Township of South Orange Village, City of Newark, Township of Maplewood, is beginning construction, to modernize the Irvington Avenue.
WHAT IS BEING DONE?
Essex County will be updating crosswalks, curbs, lighting and trash receptacles along Irvington Avenue through the above cities. In South Orange, the affects streets along Irvington Avenue are the following:
- Tichenor Avenue and Riggs Place
- Fairview Avenue and W. Fairview Avenue
- College Place and Wesley Place
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME?
We intend to keep the impacted roadways open throughout the construction. There may be periods of time, however, when certain driveways may be inaccessible. This inconvenience will be temporary, and will be controlled to the extent that it can be. The County of Essex regrets this short-term disturbance, but we are hopeful that the end product will be something that the residents of the Township of South Orange Village, City of Newark, Township of Maplewood can be proud of.
Should you have any questions regarding this project, do not hesitate to contact Asif U. Mahmood, Principal Engineer at (973) 226-8500 Extension 2560
Thank you for your patience, and remember that it is our goal to “Put Essex County First”.
Please Note: This improvement project was submitted and approved by Essex County. It was funded by a grant that was awarded. For this project, South Orange was unable to select the specific crosswalks but we are working with Essex County to look at additional crosswalks outside of this project including Prospect, Cottage Place and Ward Place.
