Jersey City Approves Work to Revitalize Coles Street Underpasses

A notoriously unwieldy stretch of Downtown just north of Hamilton Park will be getting a major facelift after Jersey City officials approved a contract to massively overhaul several blocks to better connect emerging neighborhoods.

During their February 22 meeting, Jersey City’s Council approved a contract that will revitalize the area commonly known as the Coles Street Underpasses. The stretch, which spans from 10th to 14th Streets, has the major highway ramps of I-78 overhead.

Officials launched a survey seeking feedback on the plan to overhaul the stretch last July and the authorized contract calls for about $3.2 million in improvements. Parlin-based S. Batata Construction has been authorized to begin the work in April and will be first completing infrastructure improvements that include new drainage, sanitation, and water main work along Coles and 12th Streets.

Other pedestrian and car-focused improvements along the stretch include adding new lighting the resurfacing of deteriorated asphalt streets that traverse the numerous overhead bridge structures.

Bikers will get in on the action as well, as the plans include the creation of a raised bike lane that will connect with an existing line that runs north along Coles Park and Hudson House that will also link with a southbound lane in Hamilton Park.

The contract awarded to S. Batata Construction includes a 20% contingency, meaning the cost could rise as high as $3.8 million. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, along with Councilmembers James Solomon and Yusef Saleh who represent the area, praised the plan in a joint press release.

“This project will completely renovate the area to create a safe, clean, lighted passage between Hamilton Park and the Holland Gardens neighborhood with pedestrian walkways and protected bicycle lanes,” the release said. “The underpass renovation will also make more open, community space under 12th St. and include separated sewers to reduce water pollution.”

The stretch features a slew of murals that were created as part of the Jersey City Mural Festival back in 2021. The neighborhood just north is one of the fastest-growing areas of Jersey City, with hundreds of new units either under construction or approved.

Construction on the Coles Street overhaul is expected to last throughout 2024, although a more exact completion date wasn’t announced.