Major Road Reconfiguration Expected To Start This Weekend

Preliminary work on a road construction project on W. Airmount Road that is expected to completely shut down the roadway for two months this summer is expected to start by June 1, township officials said at a council meeting earlier this month.

According to an update from township planner Mike Kelly, the road will remain open for the entire month of June, as crews will only start preliminary and preparatory work. On or about July 1, the east-west roadway is expected to be completely shut down.

The township council awarded a $768,000 contract to a local contractor at its last meeting to complete the roadwork project, which includes fixing a corroded underground pipe underneath the roadway.

The contract is about $45K more than the township originally anticipated paying for the work.

According to township officials, Mahwah will use money leftover from its 2012 road improvement program to make up the difference.

Part of the contract, Kelly said, is a requirement that the road should be reopened by September 1, in time for the start of the 2013-14 school year. Even if minor work is left to be completed after that, the roadway should be reopened to thru traffic by the time school starts, he said.

The major road project has been delayed a few times, thanks to its cost and the need for several DEP permits in order to begin the work. Officials said at the meeting they expect all DEP permits to be approved by the time the work is scheduled to begin.

The West Airmount project will take up the majority of the 2013 road program budget. Other improvements slated for the program this year include the resurfacing of Macarthur Boulevard and repaving of Bellgrove Drive.

Submit your questions or news tips to jessica.mazzola@patch.com. And, remember to sign up for Patch's daily newsletter, and get updates on Facebook and Twitter.