Overbrook Drive, Abernathy Drive and Clover Lane area targeted
By: Courtney Gross
Princeton Township is preparing to break ground on several road and sewer repair projects beginning next week, many of which are in the area of Overbrook Drive, Abernathy Drive and Clover Lane.
To address residents’ concerns and alert them to the upcoming changes, township officials and representatives from Edison-based contractor Vangelis Construction held a neighborhood meeting Tuesday attended by approximately 25 residents. Township Engineer Robert Kiser said the meeting resulted in little conflict.
The Township Committee approved some of the work set to begin next week, including sidewalk repairs and replacements on Abernathy Drive, at its meeting Monday. Other work was either authorized in ordinances introduced at Monday’s meeting and slated for final approval this month or had previously been approved by the governing body, township officials said.
To keep ahead of schedule, Mr. Kiser said, contractors will seek permission from individual property owners to begin improvements in the area for work that has yet to be approved by the committee.
Although most of the residents seem to be looking forward to the projects, Mr. Kiser said, some were criticized by the neighborhood in the past.
Residents had raised concerns over sidewalk installation on Overbrook Drive a project planned to begin next week that was approved by the Township Committee in May, Mr. Kiser said.
"We previously had contentious meetings with residents on the sidewalks on Overbook Drive," the township’s engineer said. "I think the residents feel some comfort that that matter is resolved," he added.
In addition to sidewalk repair and installation, other work on Overbrook, Abernathy and Clover will consist of sanitary sewer improvements, resurfacing, curbing and other roadway repairs.
An ordinance introduced by the Township Committee on Monday would appropriate $68,925 for the cost of sewer lateral repairs along those roadways, of which residents will pick up the entire cost of work on their properties.
Residents will pick up 50 percent of the assessment for sidewalk installation on Overbrook Drive and repairs on Abernathy, Mr. Kiser said.
Because work is being done on private property in bulk, township officials said, savings could be passed along to the taxpayers. Robert Hough, Sewer Operating Committee engineer, said the sewer lateral repairs will prevent sewer backups in homes.
Township officials said most of the sewer work is expected to conclude by Dec. 1.
All of the work ongoing on Overbrook, Abernathy and Clover some of which could roll over to the spring is expected to cost $1.5 million, the township engineer said.
Work on the three roadways will alternate, township officials said, because the roads are used to get children to Littlebrook School on Magnolia Lane. As for students walking on sidewalks, repairs on either side of the street will also alternate and fencing will be put in place to ensure safety, Mr. Kiser said.
Also on Monday, the committee introduced an ordinance earmarking $82,199 for the installation of a pathway along Rosedale Road between Province Line Road and Christopher Drive that would also include storm drainage improvements.
Township officials expect Mercer County to reimburse the township $31,834 for the drainage repairs that will allow the county to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Province Line Road and Rosedale Road, according to the ordinance.

