SOUTH RIVER–The Borough Council approved a resolution authorizing CME Associates to perform $112,205 in engineering services for various roadways improvements.
In a letter from CME Associates to Borough Administrator Art Londensky dated Jan. 9, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the borough with a 2020 Municipal Aid Grant of $580,000 toward the improvements to portions of First Street, Claremont Avenue, Obert Street, Clayton Court, Gordon Street, Prentice Avenue and Wilcox Avenue.
CME Associates’ preliminary construction cost estimate when the grant was submitted was approximately $756,000, according to the letter.
The cost estimate did not include uniformed police traffic directors or sanitary sewer improvements, which are state non-participating items and would not be eligible under the grant and would increase the overall construction cost of the project, according to the letter.
As part of the project design, CME Associates recommended the borough hire a contractor to perform a video inspection of the sewer lines within the project limits so CME Associates can review the information and advise the borough if any repairs are needed. If there are, CME Associates would increase the cost of the project as they are a state non-participating item and would not be eligible under the grant, according to the letter.
The council approved the resolution authorizing CME Associates to perform $112,205 in engineering services for various roadways improvements on Oct. 19 during the council meeting via video conference.
The borough may elect to use the DOT grant and municipal capital funds in order to complete the project.
The work would include: upgrading or installing handicap ramps at corners; storm sewer inlet repairs and upgrades; and milling and resurfacing of the asphalt roadways. These improvements will be made to First Street, Claremont Avenue, Obert Street and Gordon Street, according to the letter.
The work on Clayton Court would include a full reconstruction of the existing roadway. The work on Prentice Avenue and Wilcox Street would include the installation of a new storm sewer system and trench repairs, according to the letter.
Based upon the scope of work for the various streets, CME submitted the following professional engineering services cost estimates for the various tasks of the project:
- survey phase services for $8,480;
- design phase services for $62,980;
- bid phase services for $4,160;
- construction administration services for $69,370.
The total cost estimate for the various roadway improvements is $144,990, according to the letter.
Since the borough has received less funding than requested from the DOT, the borough may reduce the project limits in order to allow construction costs to more closely match the grant amount. CME has enclosed a map detailing the project limits and a street by street breakdown of the estimated construction costs to aid the borough in reviewing if any of the streets may be eliminated from the project, according to the letter.
Should the borough only wish to use DOT grant funds in order to complete the project, CME estimated professional engineering services cost estimates for the various tasks at $580,000. The cost estimate would not include uniformed police traffic directors or sanitary sewer improvements, which are state non-participating items, and not be eligible under the grant and would increase the overall construction cost, according to the letter.
Those include:
- survey phase services for $6,505;
- design phase services for $48,320;
- bid phase services for $4,160;
- construction administration services for $53,220.
Depending upon the variation in construction materials and oil prices, the project construction costs may increase or decrease, according to the letter. CME construction cost estimates for the handicap ramp work is based on estimated changes anticipated.
Once CME reviews the survey work and begins the ramp designs, CME may find that further improvements may be required which could increase the cost of the project, according to the letter.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
