Project

NJ I-Bank Project of the Week: Hoboken City receives $6,120,420 in Water Bank loans saving ratepayers approximately $2,200,878.

Hoboken City recently completed drinking water improvements that are being financed with approximately $6 million in loans from the NJ Water Bank, a low-rate funding program jointly administered by the DEP and the NJ I-Bank. Including interest cost savings, total savings for this project are estimated to be $2,200,878 over the 30-year term of the loan or 36% of the total project cost. In addition, this project created an estimated 73 direct construction jobs.

Most of the components of Hoboken’s water main distribution system were at least 100 years old and needed replacement. The city and its residents have endured numerous water main breaks over the years which continue to occur from time-to-time. A comprehensive water system evaluation led the city to implement a multi-phase pipeline renewal program addressing priority areas of concern and a strategy to coordinate the pipeline replacements with its roadway re-paving program. This project provided a more reliable drinking water supply and distribution system to its residents. As Phase I of a long-term upgrade process, this project included environmental planning, engineering design, permitting, and construction to replace existing water mains in eight high priority locations. All 6-inch water mains were replaced with 8-inch mains to meet current standards. All service lines were replaced from the water main to the curb, and valve boxes were installed at the curb stop.

Ravi Bhalla, Mayor of Hoboken City, noted the need for long-term upgrades. “For years, Hoboken residents have experienced water main break after water main break, due to the lack of investments in our infrastructure. Fast forward to today, and we are well on our way to replacing our oldest water mains and creating a more reliable water distribution system for our residents. In addition, we strategized the financing with the NJ Water Bank to fulfill this goal, which will save taxpayers over the long run."

This project was designed by CDM Smith and constructed by J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc.