Township to 'Move Quickly' In Harry's Brook Construction

Matthew Hersh

Princeton Township has chosen celerity over quietude in a repair project at the Harry's Brook Bridge on Route 27. The Committee approved a noise waiver for the Princeton Sewer Operating Committee (SOC) for the rehabilitation of the Harry's Brook Bridge siphon.

According to Princeton Township Engineer Robert Kiser, there is a need to re-line three pipes that are located just upstream from the bridge. The siphon is approximately 70 years old, he added.

The Township has waived noise-restriction hours in the past for similar projects.

"[The project] really needs to be done as hastily as possible," Township Mayor Phyllis Marchand said.

While plans to remodel the siphon have been in the works, Township Committee agreed with the engineer that now is an optimal time to perform the work as the New Jersey Department of Transportation currently has a project underway that has "disturbed" the site.

Because of the readily accessible siphon, Mr. Kiser said the Township will save time and money by going in now instead of after the DOT project is completed.

Mr. Kiser said the project is estimated to run the Township approximately $300,000, however, taxpayers stand to save $25,000 to $30,000 since the site is already open and cautionary signage is already in place. The task would be carried out by a contractor chosen by the SOC.

Donald Mayer-Brown, manager of the SOC, said he hopes to have a contractor begin the work early this month. He estimated that the length of the project would span four to five weeks.

Mr. Kiser cautioned that if by-pass pumping needs to occur while the siphon is tended to, a generator may need to operate 24 hours a day, causing elevated noise levels overnight and during other off-peak hours.

Mr. Kiser said bypass pumping would be the more expeditious, albeit, noisier strategy for the siphon repair. He estimated that a generator could run 24-hours-a-day for up to two weeks.

The nearest residence is approximately 75 to 100 feet away from where a generator would be placed, the engineer said. He added that residents have been notified via mail.

The DOT project, expected to be completed in April, has already caused headaches to area residents. Additionally, homes in the Harry's Brook area have been subjected to chronic brook flooding and land erosion.

Township officials said the noise-restriction waiver must be implemented to improve general conditions to the region.

"It's unfortunate, but it's necessary to get [the siphon] worked on before the bridge is complete," said Don Hansen, superintendent of the Township Department of Public Works. The Committee also expressed empathy for the anguished Harry's Brook residents. "We obviously sympathize with them," Mayor Marchand said.