By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
New Jersey American Water Co. is investing $700,000 to upgrade water service and fire protection safety in the Gardens section of Ocean City.
The company will replace approximately 2,600 feet of aging water mains on Seacrest Road, Seacliff Road and Seaview Road from Waverly Boulevard to the end of the street starting next week.
Old cast iron water lines dating to the 1940s will be replaced with a new 8-inch ductile main on those streets, the company announced in a press release Friday.
In what will improve fire protection, the project also includes replacing two fire hydrants and 110 utility-owned service lines along the pipeline route, the company said.
“This $700,000 investment will continue to advance water service reliability and increase water flows for household consumption and fire protection in this community. This improvement is part of New Jersey American Water’s multimillion-dollar initiative to accelerate the renewal of water infrastructure that has reached the end of its useful life in more than 100 communities across the state,” the release stated.
New Jersey American Water’s local contractor, Pioneer Pipe Contractors Inc., will begin work on or about Jan. 11 and expects to finish by the end of April, weather permitting. Work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Work outside of those hours is not expected unless required to maintain the project’s schedule. Final street restorations will be completed by Ocean City in the summer of 2021, according to the release.
To make construction safer for the public and workers, traffic restrictions or alternating traffic patterns are likely to occur during work hours. All emergency vehicles and local traffic will be allowed access during construction.
“New Jersey American Water values the safety of its workers and advises drivers and pedestrians to take caution in the vicinity of work sites,” the company said.
The company is asking customers to recognize the essential work being done by its employees and contractors and remind them to adhere to social distancing rules for everyone’s safety.
If a customer sees a crew performing work in their area, and wishes to ask a question about it, they are encouraged to visit www.amwater.com/njaw/ or the company’s Facebook or Twitter pages, or call Customer Service at (800) 272-1325.
