FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 10, 2011
CONTACT: James Kennelly, Hudson County Executive’s Office
PHONE: 201-369-4386
SINKHOLE UNSUNK: SINATRA DRIVE NORTH IN HOBOKEN REOPENS TO TRAFFIC AT NOON ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 12TH
After challenging underwater construction through a historically difficult weather, portion of Sinatra Drive North between 12 and 14th Streets is restored to service.
Jersey City, NJ— The reconstructed portion of the Sinatra Drive North roadway from 14th Street to Constitution Court will reopen to traffic at 12:00 (noon) on Friday August 12, 2011.
The roadway reconstruction work consisted of essentially an in-kind replacement of the existing deteriorated wood bulkhead, piles and collapsed relieving platform with new steel piles, reinforced concrete pile caps and a pre-cast concrete beam deck.
In October 2010, the underlying bulkhead and relieving platform gave way, creating a sinkhole that required the closing of the roadway until entirely new underwater structure and roadbed could be built to replace it. It is believed that a mix of stress and micro organisms attacking the century-old marine timber underwater structure lead to its weakening and eventual collapse.
The County built the original Sinatra Drive North in 1997 as part of an effort to spur development in Hoboken’s Northeastern corner. The roadway feeds automobile and pedestrian traffic past most notably, The Shipyard, an enormous residential and commercial development constructed by Hoboken-based The Applied Companies.
“This project was completed in the face of some of the toughest conditions imaginable,” said County Executive Tom DeGise. “Most of the engineering and construction took place under the surface of the Hudson River, through one of the worst winters on record. I want to thank the outstanding team in our Hudson County Department of Roads and Public Property, County Engineer Demetrio Arencibia, the contractors involved and our Board of Chosen Freeholders, which supported the project swiftly after our Declaration of Emergency in the wake of the collapse.”
The construction work was completed in 10 months at a cost of about $2,800,000.00 utilizing NJDOT funding. Langan Engieering of Elmwood Park, NJ, designed the new road from the riverbed up and Sparwick Lafayette, NJ, carried out the construction.
“I am proud of the work the County did on this project,” said Freeholder Anthony Roman, (D-5). “This was an immensely challenging project and they moved forward as quickly as they could while delivering a structure that will stand the test of time.”
County Executive DeGise signed a Declaration of Emergency to expedite funding of the project, promising at the time, “This (collapsed road) didn’t get built on our watch, but it will be rebuilt the right way while we’re on the job.”
Applied Companies (Shipyard) will subsequently initiate their promenade repair work and will keep the promenade walkway closed until completed. Temporary concrete barriers and fencing will be erected this Thursday to protect traffic from Applied’s work zone.
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