The City of Hoboken today announced that the Waterfront Reconstruction Project is scheduled to mobilize on Monday, April 7. This project will ensure the long-term safety, resilience, and functionality of the critical waterfront infrastructure and lay the foundation for the Sinatra Drive Redesign Project and the first phase of Maritime Park. The first phase of the Waterfront Reconstruction Project aims to rebuild and stabilize the eroding concrete seawall beneath portions of Sinatra Drive and the waterfront walkway from approximately the gazebo near Seventh Street to the skate park near Ninth Street.
This reconstruction effort follows a thorough investigation triggered by a sinkhole near Sybil’s Cave in June 2024. The study, conducted by Colliers Engineering & Design, involved marine engineers, scuba divers, ground-penetrating radar, and geotechnical borings to assess the seawall’s integrity. The investigation revealed that the void beneath the seawall, measuring 11 feet long, 20 inches high, and 48 inches deep, was caused by the loss of historic fill beneath the seawall, which dates back to the 1950s.
The project will begin on April 7 with initial mobilization activities, which include staging equipment and removal of surface features like benches and garbage cans. Construction is scheduled to occur Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. To expedite construction, the City will seek future City Council approval for a waiver from the noise ordinance to extend these hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, allow for work on Saturdays between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and on select federal holidays.
On or about Thursday, April 10, the contractor, Simpson & Brown, will begin by demolishing the existing surface infrastructure, including the skate park, pavement, sidewalks, curbs, pavers, and railings, to reveal the existing concrete seawall planks. Over the next several months, the seawall will be reinforced with a combined pipe pile and steel sheet pile wall in critical areas, followed by the installation of new planking. Simpson & Brown will use barges and tugboats to transport large equipment and materials to the site via the Hudson River to reduce traffic impacts and conduct in-water work related to the installation of the new seawall.
On April 10, Sinatra Drive will be closed in both directions starting at 8 a.m. through approximately 6 p.m. to establish a new traffic pattern to allow for construction. Beginning the evening of April 10, the eastern lane of Sinatra Drive from approximately Fifth Street to Sinatra Drive North will be closed 24/7 throughout the duration of the project. Southbound traffic will be redirected to Hudson Street. Southbound truck traffic will be diverted onto Washington Street. The western lane of Sinatra Drive will remain open to northbound vehicles and allow for emergency vehicle access. Temporary No Parking signs will be posted.
Due to safety concerns, pedestrian access will be prohibited near the construction area on both sides of Sinatra Drive between the gazebo and the southern border of the former Union Dry Dock site. Construction work will further narrow the street, creating overcrowded conditions on the sidewalk during the summer months, which experience the highest volumes of pedestrian traffic. Vibrations from ongoing construction will also increase the risk of rocks falling from the adjacent cliffside. As a result, pedestrians will be directed to use Hudson Street as an alternative route.
To manage traffic circulation and ensure pedestrian safety, the City will have police officers on-site between the hours of 8 a.m. and 12 a.m. Detour signage will be posted.
The City will reintroduce the Sinatra Summer Streets initiative early this year, closing Sinatra Drive to vehicles on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., beginning April 13. This will allow safe pedestrian and cyclist access while construction is underway.
This phase of the project is expected to be completed by fall 2025. Additional project phases will include the waterfront near the former Monarch site at 15th Street and Shipyard Lane, the southern portion of Sinatra Park at the boat launch, and the walkway near the southern entrance to Pier C Park.
This reconstruction project serves as the foundational first step for the broader Sinatra Drive Redesign Project, which will incorporate Vision Zero upgrades, a two-way protected bikeway from Fourth Street to Sinatra Drive North, safer pedestrian crossings, the planting of 164 trees, lighting upgrades, and additional on-street parking.
The new seawall will also allow for construction of Phase I of Maritime Park at the former Union Dry Dock site, which includes a new skatepark with both street and transition/bowl style features, public plaza inspired by the palisade cliffs, living shoreline to promote educational opportunities and restore natural habitats, and a temporary learning nursery and tree staging area.
For additional information on the Waterfront Reconstruction Project, go to https://waterfront-reconstruction-cityofhoboken.hub.arcgis.com.
For a weekly construction schedule, go to hobokennj.gov.construction.
For an FAQ, go to https://waterfront-reconstruction-cityofhoboken.hub.arcgis.com/pages/faqs.
