38th and 40th Streets are now one way
The North Bergen Police Department and the township DPW changed 38th and 40th streets from two way to one way on March 15. Thirty-eighth Street will be one way eastbound from Liberty Avenue to Grand Avenue, and 40th Street will be one way eastbound from Liberty Avenue to Grand Avenue.
These changes were made to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety in the area. Those with questions and concerns should contact the North Bergen Police Traffic Division at 201-392-2135
Upcoming events at North Bergen Free Public Library
During March, the main branch of the North Bergen Public Library will host a series on Ayurveda. Two more workshops are scheduled for Saturday, March 23rd and March 30th. Ayurveda was developed by sages in India thousands of years before modern medicine; the practice is a holistic, traditional approach to wellness.
The library announced three upcoming events which are free and open to the public. On March 23 at noon, the Main Library at 8411 Bergenline Ave. will host New Jersey Maker’s Day, celebrating hands-on creativity, with events including bread making, crafts, little bits, sketching, lettering, virtual reality, 3D printing, stop motion animation, slime, glitter tattoos, button making, book marks, and more.
On April 6 from 1-4 p.m., the Main Library will host the North Bergen Rice Festival. The social, religious, and cultural significance of a culinary staple consumed across the globe will be discussed. There will be food, literature, and entertainment.
On May 11, the Kennedy Branch at 2123 Kennedy Blvd. will host a festival called “A Taste of India.” There will be music, dancing, food, and presentations to celebrate Indian culture, about nine days before Holi, a Hindu spring festival.
Menendez announces marine traffic restrictions on Hackensack River
On March 15, Senator Bob Menendez announced that the U.S. Coast Guard granted his proposal for marine traffic restrictions on the Hackensack Rvier to mitigate the risk of a Portal Bridge failure, which would cripple the entire Northeast Corridor.
All marine traffic on the Hackensack River that requires Amtrak’s Portal Bridge in Kearny to open has been halted between 5 and 10 a.m., and 3 and 8 p.m.
This came in the wake of two separate bridge failures on Oct. 30 that forced the delay and cancellation of 164 NJ Transit and Amtrak trains, affecting more than 155,000 passengers. Last year alone, the 108-year-old rail span failed to properly close five separate times, causing major disruptions.
The Coast Guard restriction on marine traffic has limited exceptions due to tidal restrictions, and will remain in effect for six months before a decision to extend it might be made.
Bill to inform customers of lead in drinking water clears assembly panel
A bill requiring public water systems to provide customers with information regarding lead in drinking water cleared the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee on March 11. The bill, titled “Lead Education, Accountability, and Disclosure Act,” would require public water systems to include information on lead in drinking water in their annual Consumer Confidence Reports, which are mandated annually by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
The Safe Drinking Water Act requires the Consumer Confidence Reports to be issued to public water system customers.
Water service providers will have 90 days from beginning service to a new customer to send written notice about possible sources of lead in drinking water including lead service lines, pipes, and fixtures, the health effects of lead in drinking water, and measures the customer can take to reduce or eliminate lead in their tap water.
