Paterson to fix pothole-plagued street

PATERSON, N.J. (PIX11) – If you’ve driven on River Street in Paterson, you know.

“It’s horrible,” said resident Kevin Park.

“There are such huge holes,” said resident Yudis Castillo. “You’re always missing a tire because you get a nail, you get a screw. It’s just awful.”

After years of talking about it, the city is launching the $10 million project to not just repave the pothole-plagued street but also overhaul what’s underneath it. The work will begin Monday when officials say excavators will dig to find out the scope of their work and run video through the sewer lines.

“That’s going to make the determination on whether the sewer lines along the road here need to be relined or repaired,” said municipal engineer James McGrath.

The project aims to bring better drainage that will reduce flooding, something else this street is infamous for.

“I’m very, very happy today for the fixing of the street,” said Any Ferreiras, who hopes a new road will bring more customers to her boutique, The Vivi Fashion.

Meanwhile, Park said he looks forward to no more flat tires.

“It’s a miracle,” said Park. “I mean, we need it. It’d be nice to drive up this road without feeling I’m on a roller coaster.”

The project is expected to take about a year. For the people who live and work on this street, hearing about change is nice, but for them, seeing is believing.

“If I’m being honest with you, I think it’s going to be better once they see they’re doing the job,” said Castillo.

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