There is nothing more annoying or aggravating than sitting in traffic for what feels like forever, passing signs that say “Men At Work,” only to find out that signs lie.  Cones set up, lanes closed . . .  . and no one visibly working.  It’s enough to make you want to take one of those cones and . . . never mind.

So, with that in mind, let’s look at the up side of all of the work NJ American Water is engaging in throughout Cranford.  The most obvious positive is that they are upgrading and updating water lines.  This is a definite positive.  Not convinced?  You would be if the water main outside your home were to burst open and flood your property because of lack of maintenance.

And as for the frustration of having to drive over temporary pipes and rubber ramps to get into your driveway, and detour around normally busy streets, this frustration can be tempered by the fact that these utility workers are actually WORKING.  Like dogs, actually.  Incredibly PUNCTUAL dogs.  If work is scheduled to begin at 8:00 AM, they are out there, barely taking time to sip their cup of coffee, beginning at 7:30.  Of course, they are JACKHAMMERING, among other things, at 7:30 AM.  But the point is, they ARE working.  Diligently, efficiently, and as quickly as possible, to help maintain and improve the quality of life in this town.

And as diligent as they are, they are equally courteous.  They will, without being asked to do so, help direct residents out of their driveways and into the flow of traffic or around work stations.  They say hello to passers-by.  And they clean up completely each nd every evening when they are finished. (https://webnews21.com/)   They are extremely professional, and it is not their fault that the work they need to do happens to be beneath the street you need to travel on.  So try to remember that when frustration and stress about getting to work on time starts to gain a chokehold on you.  Don’t take your frustrations out on the utility workers . . . perhaps we should thank them, instead, for a job well done, and for keeping our lives running smoothly . . . . . something we may tend to take for granted.

During the months of August and September, several Cranford road projects will be underway throughout the town streets, so it’s best to be prepared for them.  They will, out of necessity, cause some detouring and some congestion.  Check out this link for a listing of where and when your street or route might be affected.  And if you don’t yet subscribe to Nixle, do so by clicking here, or by putting the app on your smartphone.  It can really be a huge asset in navigating traffic that you don’t even yet know exists, among other things.

 

The following list of planned projects is taken directly from Cranford Patch:

Cranford Road Projects

Here’s a look at the projects, as announced by the Cranford Police Department:

Already in progress is the New Jersey American Water and Elizabethtown Gas work at Centennial Avenue at Cayuga and Ramapo roads. This project is expected to take two weeks and cause only temporary water interruptions. Roads will not be completely closed during this time, but minor delays may arise. Also, NJ American Water will be working on Centennial Avenue between South and Lincoln avenues for what is expected to be two weeks.

Beginning on Aug. 1, NJ American Water will work on a larger project expected to take four weeks on Springfield Avenue from Penn Road to West End Place. Northbound traffic on Springfield Avenue will be detoured at Orange Avenue to Kenilworth Boulevard. All roadwork will be in the northbound lane and southbound traffic will not be impacted.
Additional NJ American water work will take place in late August at the on Gallows Hill Road from the Union County College entrance to East Broad Street. This work will take place in the borders of Westfield.

The last project on the agenda is for Sept. 30 on Centennial Avenue between North Avenue and Raritan Road for milling and paving. This project is expected to take 10 days.