The borough expects to rebuild McKinnon Street by late 2026 after the assembly approved two funding resolutions Nov. 12.
Borough Manager Mason Villarma said the long-term goal is to rebuild one …
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The borough expects to rebuild McKinnon Street by late 2026 after the assembly approved two funding resolutions Nov. 12.
Borough Manager Mason Villarma said the long-term goal is to rebuild one street each year.
This fall’s $1.25 million rebuild of St. Michaels Street showed that the community’s underground utilities are in much worse shape than expected. Crews found the sewer and water lines beneath St. Michaels were seriously worn out and close to failing.
Villarma said the borough is using records of frequent water main breaks, along with how busy a road is, to decide which streets to fix next. By that measure, McKinnon is the next priority.
To pay for the million-dollar, block-long project from Front Street to Church Street, the borough is seeking money from two different state Department of Environmental Conservation loan programs for clean water projects.
The two loans would total almost $940,000, with more than $600,000 eligible for forgiveness under terms of the state program. The borough would have up to 20 years to pay back the balance.
The plan calls for replacing about 280 feet of six-inch asbestos cement water main and 280 feet of 12-inch gravity sewer main and related components, along with valves, fittings and new service lines to properties along the street.
Because the pipes are old, full replacement is considered the cheapest and most practical fix.
The project also would include a complete resurfacing from Front Street to Church Street.
Villarma said the cost estimates are based on what the borough spent to replace utilities on St. Michaels. He said he expects the McKinnon project to go out to bid by spring 2026, with construction finished by the fall.