Craig Testing Laboratories is performing core sampling or drilling on Bridge Street and the adjacent Railroad Avenue in Stockton.
By: Linda Seida
STOCKTON The Borough Council recently awarded a contract for the testing of road foundations in preparation for repairs to Bridge Street.
Craig Testing Laboratories, of Mays Landing, is being paid an amount not to exceed $16,800 to perform core sampling or drilling and testing on Bridge Street and the adjacent Railroad Avenue.
The drilling and testing will reveal "what to do to have a proper foundation for a new road on Bridge Street," Mayor Stephen Giocondo said.
The work began Monday morning. Borough engineer Dennis O’Neal said the coring, originally expected to take about five days, is coming along faster than expected and could have been completed by Tuesday afternoon. Portions of each road had reduced lane widths during the work.
The borough sought proposals from three vendors, but only Craig Testing Laboratories submitted a proposal that met the borough’s requested specifications.
Although the contract is for work to be performed in preparation for the major Bridge Street improvements that are planned, "it’s not the award for the road reconstruction or any major element of that project," Borough Clerk Michele Hovan said.
Despite the use of Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission funds to pay for the drilling and testing, the borough remains the contracting agent.
The work on Bridge Street is made possible by a grant awarded to Stockton by the commission in January 2006. Two million dollars will finance safety improvements for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.
Improvements include the resurfacing of Bridge Street, traffic-calming measures in heavily used areas and improvements to portions of Railroad Avenue and Mill Street.
Additional work will include improvements to the existing water infrastructure at Bridge Street, the construction of a new park-and-walk facility on Railroad Avenue, new sidewalks, streetlights, guardrails and landscaping.
The work will complement the $7.5 million reconstruction by the commission of the Centre Bridge-Stockton bridge that is now under way.

