The beginning of construction on the Alexander Road S-curve has been delayed for more than a year now, but West Windsor officials finally think they have a design for the road that will be accepted by the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission.
Construction on the Alexander Road S-curve was originally scheduled to begin in spring, 2008, and the project at the time included widening the road to 38 feet, with one lane of travel and a five-foot bike path in each direction.
Features of the new road included elevation of the roadway to create a banking effect, use of high friction pavement, and improved striping and signage. The concept for the design of the road was endorsed by council in 2007.
However, it was delayed “because we went to get a permit from the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission, and they felt the redesign of the S-curve with additional sidewalks and bikes lanes, which increased impervious coverage, put too much water into the canal,” Community Development Coordinator Pat Ward said.
Ward said West Windsor officials had to find a way to put the water into a detention basin so it would not run off impervious coverage. The options included sharing a basin in Carnegie Center on Canal Pointe Boulevard, or building an underground system.
Township Engineer Francis Guzik said officials had to find a way to mitigate the increase in groundwater recharge along with control the stormwater runoff. “It wasn’t anticipated,” Guzik said. “There is a process where you can request a waiver (from the DRCC) for these requirements for certain infrastructure projects. But they felt the increase was too much.”
However, “we now have a design that we think will satisfy the requirements of the DRCC,” Ward said.
“There are certain specialty draining structures for the water quality concern, some underground chambers for the rest of it,” Guzik explained.
Guzik said that the only change to the design of the S-curve was the addition of these underground water chambers. He said West Windsor officials were waiting to get a check list back from a consulting engineer before they submit the new design to the DRCC.
Guzik estimates that construction will not begin until the fall, at least, so long as the DRCC accepts the design with the new addition.
The estimated cost of the project is about $500,000, with $190,000 in funding coming from a state Department of Transportation grant. At the Township Council’s meeting on June 8, the council approved an amendment of $11,060 to the professional services agreement with Remington & Vernick Engineers for the project for costs associated with stormwater permit costs that will increase as a result of the new design.
