Matawan Council Approves $1.5M Road Program Contract

Story by Anastasia Millicker, anastasia.millicker@patch.com

Construction is set to begin this month on the first portion of the 2013 road program in Matawan.

The first stage of the road repair project will cover more than 13 roads in the borough, including Daniel Drive, Essie Drive, Union Street, Ned Drive, Mohawk Drive, Fawn Drive to Indian Trail, Hoyt Street, Schenck Are, Woodland and Edgemere. The $1,585,721.10 contract approved by the Matawan Borough Council on Tuesday appointed Lucas Construction Group, Inc. to complete the work.

Borough Administrator Louis Ferrara said the contract was split into two because some of the roads require New Jersey Department of Transportation approval. The bid for streets that need NJDOT approval will be awarded when approval is received, he explained.

The borough’s road program is expected to address decaying roadways and damage from recent storms, including drainage issues stemming back to Hurricane Irene.

Daniel Drive from Essie Drive to Union Street, Ned Drive, and Mohawk Drive from Fawn Drive to Indian Trail each have existing concrete curbs on both sides that are in poor condition and will be replaced with combination concrete curb and gutter to match surrounding streets, according to Ferrara.

Drainage improvements will be made along Crestwood Drive, Essie Drive, Sutton Drive and Ned Drive. Shainy Lane, across from the existing tennis courts and adjacent to the bike path, and the cul-de-sac on Stillwater Street have ponding that will also be addressed.

Behind the Municipal Building, a portion of pavement located behind the Church Street curb that will be removed and replaced with topsoil and seed. On Hoyt Street, the concrete curb and pavement are in poor condition and will be fully replaced, according to the report.

The borough is footing the bill for the majority of the road program, however $78,601.80 in FEMA funding was awarded to cover the improvements along Crestwood Drive, Essie Drive and Sutton Drive. The total project is estimated to cost $3.3 million.