Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh, and Ward E Councilman James Solomon are praising the launch of the Coles Street underpass redesign following the city council unanimously approving (9-0) a $3.8 million construction contract last week.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
This act represents the final step before construction begins, which will completely renovate the area in hopes of creating a safe, clean, lighted passage between Hamilton Park and the Holland Gardens neighborhood with pedestrian walkways and protected bicycle lanes.
“The councilmen have worked closely with us to prioritize this improvement project to help connect neighborhoods near Holland Gardens, the Embankment House, and the other side of 12th Street near the Holland Tunnel entrance with a new bikeway, reconstructed sidewalks, utility upgrades, and safety improvements,” Fulop said in a statement.
The underpass renovation will also make more open, community space under 12th St. and include separated sewers to reduce water pollution, after soliciting community feedback this past summer.
“My office has been working with Mayor Fulop, Councilman Saleh, community members, Jersey City’s Department of Infrastructure and key stakeholders for years to make Jersey City and Ward E’s streets safer,” added Solomon, who represents part of the area where the Coles Street underpass is located.
“The redevelopment of the Coles Street underpass is a critical step in building a more resilient, more open, and more pedestrian-friendly Jersey City – and with construction set to begin next month, our city can look forward to just that by the end of the year.”
Construction on the underpass is set to begin in April and last for the majority of this year.
“When I attended McNair Academic High School in the early to mid 2000’s the Coles St. underpass was a no-man’s land, neither friendly to cars or pedestrians,” noted Saleh, who represents the other half of the area where the Coles Street Underpass project is located.
“The area is not only growing, but bustling with life and activity, and this Coles Street underpass redevelopment project is a huge leap forward towards a more pedestrian-friendly, safe, and environmentally resilient Jersey City, benefiting residents of both Wards D and Ward E. It will include I would like to extend my enormous gratitude to Mayor Fulop, Councilman Solomon, Director Barkha Patel, the Department of Infrastructure staff, and all stakeholders for their contributions to this project.”
