I-287 Project to Begin With or Without Council Support

And, that's that.

After multiple delays in voting to support the New Jersey Department of Transportation's (NJDOT) nine-mile repaving project for Interstate 287, the Town Council resolution failed on June 26, with councilmembers Rebecca Feldman, Raline Smith-Reid and Alison Deeb voting against it.

But, it doesn't matter whether the resolution of support passed or not, Business Administrator Michael Rogers pointed out at the meeting, because the NJDOT project––was going to happen anyway. 

Feldman, who has been one of the most vocal regarding the project, . She noted she was not against the project, "it's sorely needed," she said, but had hoped the town and NJ DOT would be able to work together to address her concerns.

The council has called for a hydrology study that would give the town a much clearer picture of the flooding and water movement issues along the interstate, as well.

Several residents expressed concern about the part of I-287 under South Street being used as a staging area, where equipment could be housed during the project. "It's a burden on Morristown and a benefit to the whole county," Paula Court resident Debbie Gotsleben said.

Mayor Tim Dougherty said emails have been sent to the DOT inquiring about that and other concerns, with no response. "Not that I expected it," he said.

Still, the mayor said he would try to get an answer as to what the "staging area" would entail, among other persistent questions.

The I-287 repaving project is expected to begin this fall and not be completed until sometime in 2015.