JAMESBURG — As part of the ongoing effort to revitalize the downtown area, officials are preparing additional streetscape improvements to Railroad Avenue.
The Borough Council adopted an ordinance allowing Jamesburg to perform another $80,000 worth of work to the road, which is at the heart of the business district. Mayor Anthony LaMantia said this will be phase four, and the town is nearing completion of the overall project.
The work includes curbs and sidewalks, as well as new pavers, he said.
“This year we have one more block [of work] on East Railroad, then we begin West Railroad Avenue,” he said.
Councilman John Longo said all the money for the project has come from Middlesex County grants.
“We will try to finish East and West Railroad avenues,” he said.
The borough also plans to remove the trees that have been tearing up sidewalks, he said. New trees will be planted in those locations, with roots that do not cause the sidewalks to break up.
“The roots will no longer interfere with the sidewalks,” LaMantia said.
The borough has been working to improve the area for three years, accomplishing as much as available funds would allow each year.
“We began it three years ago on East Railroad Avenue by Forsgate Drive,” the mayor said. “We apply for grant money every year. This year we are continuing where we left off.”
The borough may need another phase of work before the job is done, “but we are hoping to complete the majority of it this year,” LaMantia said. Jamesburg began the streetscape project as part of the effort to rejuvenate the downtown area, he said, with one goal being to attract more businesses and customers into town. Officials hope to bring more foot traffic downtown to boost business.
Another goal was to alleviate safety problems caused by the broken sidewalks.