Maple Ave. Dead End Delayed By Sandy

Some residents in the Pine Brook neighborhood have been waiting months for a permanent solution for the dead end on Maple Avenue to be agreed on. Now, as prep work was expected to begin, township officials are planning to push back work to the spring.

Township Admnistrator Victor Canning said on Nov. 13 that the township should delay the project because of Superstorm Sandy.

"My suggestion is it would be something we would address in the springtime at this point," he said.

Currently, temporary barriers block off the roadway where residents had complained motorists were speeding through the neighborhood to cut through between Route 80 and Route 46. Last month, the township committee approved a curbed island to permanently block off the roadway.

Interim Township Engineer Mark Mantyla said the township budgeted $9,300, but that the bids that came in on the project earlier this month were much higher than expected.

"I called the low bidder. He explained that ever since the storm came, he's swamped," Mantyla said.

Mantyla said the lowest figure that came in was for $19,000 and that he was interested in seeking additional quotes. He also said prep work that was scheduled to begin on the curbed island has not yet commenced.