Hoboken and NHSA to begin Madison Street improvements

Starting this week, the City of Hoboken and North Hudson Sewerage Authority (NHSA) will fix up portions of Madison Street, intending to reduce chronic flooding in the region. According to the city’s Nixle alert, the project will begin the first phase called the Madison Street Infrastructure Improvement Project.

“We must continue to address flooding caused by more severe heavy rain events so that we can make our city more resilient and improve the quality of life for hundreds of Hoboken residents,” said Mayor Ravi Bhalla. “Thanks to NHSA for partnering with my administration to ensure that Madison Street gets these necessary infrastructure upgrades to mitigate local flooding.”

The city’s efforts for flood preparations and road developments come in the wake of previous flooding incidents due to heavy rain near Hoboken’s train terminal, as reported by the NJ Transit.

Over the next two months, NHSA will relocate approximately 275 linear feet of electrical duct bank along the west curb line of Madison Street from 11th Street to Ninth Street. Once relocated, the City and NHSA will launch Phase II, which will upgrade and expand the combined sewer, replace an outdated water main, and elevate and reconstruct the roadway with Vision Zero safety improvements.

Phase II construction will commence in the summer of 2023 and is scheduled to be completed the following year, according to the Nixle alert sent out to residents.

These improvements will direct rainfall into the updated sewer system to convey storm water into the trunk line at 11th Street, mitigating the recurring rainfall flooding in the area.

“We are very pleased to be able to address this longstanding problem in northwest Hoboken, especially now that the area has become a vibrant residential section of the city,” said Richard Wolff, executive director of NHSA. “The project benefits both Hoboken and NHSA, and the cooperation shown by both parties has greatly facilitated its development.”

Fifth Ward Councilman Phil Cohen added, “Pre-existing electrical and sewer infrastructure created complex issues requiring significant planning, engineering, inter-agency coordination, and City Council approval. Thanks to Mayor Bhalla and the NHSA for their ongoing commitment to this necessary project that will leave a lasting positive impact for the residents of Madison Street and the 5th Ward.”

In addition to the Madison Street upgrades, Hoboken’s Northwest Resiliency Park will come online later this year and will include both below ground flood detention and above ground green infrastructure to withhold up to two million gallons of rainwater during storms, as well as the addition of Hoboken’s third flood pump adjacent to the park.

These two resiliency efforts, led by the Bhalla administration and NHSA, will work in tandem to reduce flooding events during heavy rain events.

During Madison Street construction, traffic control will be coordinated with other construction projects in the area. Parking will be restricted and road closures with detours are anticipated.

Contractors will notify adjacent businesses and residents of construction activities in advance, which will also be posted on the City’s website at www.hobokennj.gov/hoboken-construction-updates.

For more information on the project, go to https://www.hobokennj.gov/resources/9th-madison-infrastructure-upgrades.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Jordan Coll can be reached at jcoll@hudsonreporter.com.