Haddonfield has a long history of drainage issues, but the borough now has three projects in the works to address them.
To keep residents updated, the commissioners have recently posted progress reports for the projects on its Facebook page. Each plan is in different stages, but the most recent development is that construction for the Homestead Underground Storage, Sump Pump and Manhole Realignment project began July 11.
The project was approved last April, but due to supply-chain issues, the first bid came in too high. So the project was awarded in March and is estimated to cost just over $2.3 million. It is estimated to be completed by Jan. 6.
“(The underground storage unit) basically just serves as a bladder to hold more of the water underground and allow for it to transfer a little more efficiently to the underground stormwater piping, and then ultimately recharge the water table as well,” explained Commissioner Frank Troy.
“It’s basically a holding container to allow it to transfer underground rather than having it pool together above ground.”
Troy noted the area was prone to flooding in the past that sometimes caused manholes in the streets to lift. This storage tank is meant to alleviate that while still helping the water drain to Newton Creek.
Residents living near Homestead Avenue can expect to see construction as part of one of the borough’s stormwater management improvement programs. Some may not have access to their driveways during the work.
The project farthest along is the installation of inlets (think sewer grates) and the removal of approximately 1,500 feet of linear piping to be replaced on Heritage, Lafayette, Jefferson and Upland roads.
The project was first proposed in December 2020 and was estimated to be completed in June 2021, but there have been several delays. Originally bid for at $996,000, the work is now expected to cost about $1.3 million, according to Troy, due to change orders that are not uncommon.
The inlets will allow for more water to be off the streets and increasing the pipe sizes allows more water to travel through. Though the progress report noted many delays, Troy noted that is not a bad thing, given that officials knew where all the delays were happening and that they could ultimately save taxpayer money.
“(The project) had the original completion date of March 2022, but PSE&G, working collaboratively with the borough, took the opportunity while the street was going to be uncovered or open to upgrade some of their facilities running down Heritage on the right side, coming from Washington (Ave.) down toward Atlantic (Ave.),” Troy noted.
“ … Until Heritage (Road) is complete, they are working on repairing the pavement and grass on Lafayette, Jefferson and Upland,” he added. “Heritage should be completed in the not-so-distant future, because their project is pretty far along.”
The final project is replacing the damaged outfall at Atlantic Avenue. Proposed in December 2020, the plan got a response in June from the DEP for permit requests. The next steps will include going out to bid and awarding a contract to the most qualified and most cost-effective bidder.
In an effort to increase visibility around the current projects and keep the public informed, the commissioners will continue to provide updates via social media, as well as at their action meetings, where department heads give their reports.
Residents immediately impacted will receive letters from the borough informing them of progress.
“We’re kind of looking at it retroactively,” said Troy. “What can we do to fix what we have, but also for new construction and additions, being smarter about making sure that we’re not creating more problems for the future.”
Specific reports can be found on commissioner agendas at haddonfieldnj.org.
