Boonton receives TAP presentation for $3–4 million Main Street pedestrian-safety project

Boonton officials heard a detailed presentation on plans to overhaul pedestrian infrastructure along Main Street during the council’s meeting. Christopher Mara, deputy project manager with GPI (Grama Petersen), said the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant will fund preliminary and final engineering, construction design and inspection for a corridor extending from Liberty Street to Division Street.

Mara said the proposal aims to improve pedestrian mobility and safety while enhancing downtown streetscape amenities. The design includes full sidewalk replacement and ADA-compliant curb ramps, curb extensions at multiple intersections to shorten crossing distances, rectangular rapid flashing beacons at unsignalized crossings and replacement of traffic-signal equipment at Bouton Avenue and Division Street with black ornamental poles to match decorative lighting.

The consultant noted many existing sidewalks are narrow and that steep roadway grades—approaching 10 percent in places—pose design challenges. He said curb extensions were analyzed using vehicle-tracking software to ensure buses, trucks and emergency vehicles can make required turns. A proposed decorative LED lighting system would provide more uniform illumination and allow seasonal lighting connections and banner hardware.

Mara estimated construction costs at "over $3,000,000" and said about 75 percent of the project would be reimbursed through the federal TAP grant administered by NJDOT Local Aid; the town will cover nonparticipating costs. He said right-of-entry letters were mailed to 40 impacted property owners and roughly three-quarters of those agreements had been returned. Mara said the team anticipates an 18‑month construction duration with temporary parking restrictions and short pedestrian detours but that the contractor must maintain access to properties throughout construction.

Council members pressed the consultant on technical issues. A council member asked how drainage would be handled where bump-outs are introduced; Mara said existing curb-line drainage generally remains functional but some inlets will require relocation. Another member raised concerns about curb radii and truck clearances; Mara said AutoTURN and design‑vehicle checks guided the geometry so corners were tightened only where safe. Councilors also asked about staging and supply-chain delays; Mara described a rolling-block construction approach to limit long closures and cautioned that supply-chain conditions remain unpredictable.

Mara said the project is nearing the end of final design and that the contract documents were submitted to NJDOT Local Aid in March. If authorized to bid on schedule, the team anticipates construction could begin later this year with substantial completion about 18 months later. Mara closed by asking for any further questions before moving on to the meeting’s liaison reports.

The council did not take an immediate vote on the project during the meeting; next steps include NJDOT review of the final design, authorization to bid, and continued outreach to property owners for right-of-entry consents.