Resurfacing Paterson's roads is a top priority. This is why

My administration takes pride in prioritizing programs and projects that have been neglected for far too long. During my six years in office, we have reduced the number of abandoned properties in Paterson by about 80%. We have invested over $100 million in improving our parks, pools, playgrounds and athletic fields. Moreover, we have launched initiatives to address drug addiction, financial instability and reintegration into society.

In addition to the aforementioned accomplishments, we are adamant about continuing to improve our infrastructure. Our ambitious plan is to resurface more than 30 roads this year and to repave more than 20 streets next year.

The 50 streets that we are scheduled to resurface over the course of the next two years span all six wards. A vast majority of the roads have not been repaved in over 20 years.

The one road that has been the talk of the town and the topic of conversation for decades is River Street. In fact, I can’t go anywhere in my city without someone yelling, “Fix River Street.” It has been the bane of every administration’s existence for nearly a quarter of a century because the work requires more than just resurfacing the road but also calls for the sewer to be relined and repaired. This massive undertaking comes with a hefty price tag of nearly $10 million.

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We have done our due diligence and secured all of the necessary funding to pursue this gargantuan project. However, there have been a number of delays due to unforeseen bureaucratic and legal challenges. Thankfully, we have overcome those obstacles and are ready to “fix River Street.”

The contract to repair and resurface River Street has been awarded, and the company has been given a notice to proceed. We will be hosting a press conference later this week to outline the start date and where the work will begin.

Some people in Paterson are a flat tire away from financial hardship, and we wouldn’t want that to happen, particularly because of a pothole-riddled road. That’s why we are rolling out our plan to resurface an unprecedented number of streets in our city.

When it rains, River Street is more river than street. We are determined to permanently change that outcome by this time next year. Previous administrations have kicked the can down the road when it came to River Street. My administration plans to resurface that road along with about 50 others.

Andre Sayegh is the mayor of Paterson.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Resurfacing Paterson's roads is a top priority. This is why