Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Union County engineering director updates commissioners on Rails-to-Trails grant, Martin Avenue bridge and Ash Brook work
Summary
Director Palaquet told commissioners the Rahway Valley Rails-to-Trails resolution would authorize a grant (construction not yet begun), said work on the Martin Avenue bridge is not imminent and an extension has been requested, and that excavation along Ash Brook proceeded to the limits of existing permits while the county seeks further DEP approval to dredge downstream.
The Union County Department of Engineering, Public Works and Facilities Management presented a package of 12 items and answered commissioner questions about several capital projects.
Director Palaquet described one trail project as nearing completion of stone restoration and said the Rahway Valley Rails-to-Trails agenda item on the evening’s docket would authorize a grant for the project but not begin construction. "It's a grant for the project — it's just authorizing the grant," Palaquet said.
Commissioners pressing for timelines received an update on the Martin Avenue bridge: Palaquet said the county had requested an extension and that substantive construction work has not yet begun. "Construction is nowhere close yet," he said when asked for a schedule. Another official said the project will replace concrete plates with a box culvert when work begins.
On concerns about flooding around Ash Brook, Palaquet said crews excavated blockages "to the limits of our permits," and that the contractor had done work within permitted parameters and then withdrew. The county manager said this is part of a longer-term strategy that includes reconfiguring flood-prone golf course holes and seeking additional Department of Environmental Protection approval to dredge farther downstream.
The engineering presentations were presented as resolutions for later action during the regular meeting; commissioners asked for updates and clarifications but no construction-start approvals were recorded during the agenda-setting portion of the session.
