PAULSBORO, NJ – A $7 million infrastructure improvement project along Thomson Avenue has recently been completed, announced Paulsboro Mayor Gary Stevenson last week.
This project, funded through a $4.12 million grant and loan from the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program’s Water and Waste Program and through a $2.89 million loan from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, involved water and sewer improvements that will benefit the entire community.
“Over the past several years, the Borough has taken a proactive approach to improving infrastructure to better serve our residents, businesses, commercial development, and industry throughout Paulsboro,” Stevenson said. “This recently-completed project is another milestone in our efforts.”
For the water element, the project, which spans Thomson Avenue from Swedesboro Avenue to Elizabeth Avenue, involved removal of the existing water main and replacing it with a 12-inch diameter water main. The sewer portion entailed rehabilitating the existing pipe with a new liner and performing repairs where needed. The street was repaved after construction and restriping is expected to be completed soon. “The mission of USDA Rural Development to help improve the economy and quality of life in rural America through loans, grants and loan guarantees to help create jobs and support economic development and essential services such as water and sewer,” stated USDA State Director Michael Thulen. “This project certainly fits with that mission, and we are pleased to have been a partner with the Borough on bringing it to fruition.”
The USDA application for this highly-competitive funding program was written by Triad Associates of Vineland, NJ – a community- and economic development firm that has secured nearly $1 billion in funding for its clients over the past 40 years.
According to the Borough Engineer, Stephen Cosaboon, the improvements made along Thomson Avenue are expected to last for 50 years.“Paulsboro has enjoyed a long, productive relationship with the USDA,” concluded Stevenson. “They have been great partners on a wide range of projects, and we look forward to continuing that relationship in the future.”
