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City engineering reports 10.85 miles paved so far; targets 22 miles for 2025
Summary
The Department of Engineering told the Newark City Council that crews have completed 10.85 miles of paving to date and are targeting nearly 22 miles citywide in 2025; the department described coordination challenges with utility companies and the ordering of pedestrian upgrades that precede paving.
The Newark City Council received a status update Sept. 9 from the Department of Engineering on pavement operations: 10.85 miles completed to date, with a target of nearly 22 miles citywide in 2025.
Department of Engineering staff said locations listed in a prior July update have been completed and the department provided a forecast of upcoming streets and associated miles slated for paving this season. Sean Savage, manager of the traffic and signals division, and other engineering staff said some projects that include paving are primarily pedestrian- or traffic-calming projects and therefore were described separately from routine paving totals.
Engineering staff and council members discussed recurrent problems where newly paved streets are later excavated by utility repairs. The department said it coordinates with utility companies but that some subsurface deteriorations and emergency repairs occur after paving, creating the need for follow-up patches. The department reported active engagement with PSE&G and with county and water/sewer agencies to improve coordination and to require permits and permit notifications when trenches are opened.
Council members pressed for ward-specific coverage. Engineering staff said some North Ward streets were included in grant-funded lists and that the department has applied for state transportation grant funds and is awaiting a response from the state Department of Transportation. The department noted that many paving projects funded through grants require pedestrian improvements — ramps and sidewalks — to be installed before mill-and-pave operations can begin, which can delay visible paving work until those components are completed.
Council members also raised bridge deck concerns and asked about schedules for small streets and alleyways that present snow-plow and safety problems. The engineering staff said bridge work requires special handling and that grant pursuit for specific bridge projects is underway.
The engineering presentation included a list of upcoming locations and an associated mileage total; staff said weather and permits will determine whether all forecasted paving is completed this calendar year and, if not, the department will prioritize those streets early in the next season.
No formal council action on paving was recorded in the transcript; the presentation concluded with engineering offering to follow up with ward offices about specific streets and grant status.
