Construction Schedule Announced for 2014 Safe Routes to School Grant (Lafayette Avenue & Spring Street)

The Township of Chatham is pleased to announce the commencement of construction for the long-awaited Safe Routes to School pedestrian safety project for Lafayette Avenue and Spring Street.

“We are thrilled to finally break ground on this critical infrastructure project,” said Mayor Jennifer Rowland. “Ensuring our children have a safe, designated path to walk and bike to school has been a long-standing priority for the Township Committee. We are grateful to our residents for their continued patience as we navigated the complex federal and state grant processes to bring this vision to life.”

This initiative is designed to promote the health and safety of our children by providing secure, designated ways to walk and bicycle to school. Currently, gaps in our pedestrian sidewalk system force students to walk in the street or use worn paths in the grass. By closing these gaps, this project aims to reduce risks of potential pedestrian injuries, encourage physical activity, and reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in the vicinity of our schools.

The Township originally expressed support for the Safe Routes to School program in 2014. Following a lengthy process to secure federal and state approvals, the Township was officially awarded a Safe Routes to School Grant specifically for the installation of sidewalks on Lafayette Avenue and Spring Street.  After multiple rounds of bidding to ensure strict compliance with Federal Highway Administration guidelines, disadvantaged business enterprise goals, and budget constraints, the Township Committee successfully adopted Resolution No. 2025-112 on April 22, 2025. This resolution officially awarded the construction contract for the Lafayette Avenue and Spring Street Sidewalk Project to AA Berms, LLC in the amount of $599,645.00 which will be fully funded under the grant.

“This project is a prime example of our commitment to improving municipal infrastructure while maximizing grant opportunities to protect local taxpayers,” noted Township Administrator Ziad Andrew Shehady. “We have worked diligently to ensure this contract meets all regulatory requirements and that construction is strategically scheduled during the summer months to minimize disruptions to the upcoming school year.”  The Township continues to explore future pedestrian safety improvements and seek grants for opportunities to implement these improvements.  There are two more Safe Routes to School grants that the Township

Project Scope
The contractor is required to complete the work within 180 working days of receiving the written notice to proceed. The approximately 2,950 linear feet of safety and transportation enhancements along these two specific roadways will include clearing, excavation, and grading to construct new ADA-compliant concrete sidewalks and crosswalk striping. Additionally, the project features upgrades to existing sidewalks, the installation of ADA-compliant curb ramps with detectable warning surfaces, and the resetting of drainage inlets where necessary.  AA Berms, LLC will be dividing work into two primary phases:

Phase 1: Spring Street
Work will take place on the northern side of Spring Street, from School Avenue to Lafayette Avenue. Construction is expected to begin on or about June 17, 2026, starting at School Avenue and continuing south toward Lafayette Avenue. The estimated completion date for this phase is July 3, 2026.

Phase 2: Lafayette Avenue
Work will then move to the eastern side of Lafayette Avenue, from the Lafayette School driveway to Inwood Road. Construction is expected to begin on or about July 6, 2026, progressing north from Fairview Avenue toward Inwood Road, with an estimated completion date of August 31, 2026.

All roads will remain open during construction, though intermittent disruptions will occur.  Property owners living in the project area are receiving notices from the contractor with additional information.  Please be mindful and exercise caution around freshly poured concrete. The Township Engineer, Mott MacDonald, will work closely with the contractor throughout the duration of the project to ensure disruptions are kept to a minimum.  We greatly appreciate your cooperation and patience as we deliver these vital safety improvements for our community.