What's up with the construction on the S-Curves

I know I have seen this posted before, and I couldn't find the OP, but dose anyone know when the construction on the S-Curves will be done? It seems like it's been forever

and what is the deal with the "fake" stone retaining walls.....ugly!

Joseph DiVincenzo's legacy..... mini golf, a zoo, swan boats, and straightening the s-curves.

All fine legacies. The recreations area in particular is a gem and has become a huge destination. It is packed and is a wonderful addition to the area. People complain when government does not build things and complains when it does.

Sybil said:
All fine legacies. The recreations area in particular is a gem and has become a huge destination. It is packed and is a wonderful addition to the area. People complain when government does not build things and complains when it does.

+1

And one more thing about the recreation area, it provides jobs for Essex county residents, many of them young and who may have difficulty getting on the job ladder without oportunities such as these.

But, to answer the question we are about half way through a three year job.

Sybil said:
All fine legacies. The recreations area in particular is a gem and has become a huge destination. It is packed and is a wonderful addition to the area. People complain when government does not build things and complains when it does.

Agreed. We love the area!! Don't forget the amazing walking/running path and fantastic pirate ship playground.

Sybil said:
All fine legacies. The recreations area in particular is a gem and has become a huge destination. It is packed and is a wonderful addition to the area. People complain when government does not build things and complains when it does.

I am inclined to agree with this. While I haven't been to the zoo or the arena in quite some time, it is clear that lot of people are able to enjoy the improved facilities.

Actually FilmCarp, work started in April 2014 and is supposed to last 2 years. I can't find any newer info than this.

http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2014/04/south_orange_avenue_to_get_30m_facelift_officials_say.html

This is the biggest road project in Essex County in some time. Personally I think spending $30 million because drivers lack the common sense to respect the speed limit and road conditions is a ridiculous waste. The drainage problems absolutely needed to be addressed, and with improvements short of straightening a road that's been there since 1811, a less costly solution could have been found.

As for Joe D's South Mountain improvements, I agree they're all fabulous additions that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Thanks for the correction. I agree that it seemed unnecessary. Unfortunately people really do need to be protected from themselves now, because when they hurt themselves they immediately file suit.

dk50b said:
Actually FilmCarp, work started in April 2014 and is supposed to last 2 years. I can't find any newer info than this.
http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2014/04/south_orange_avenue_to_get_30m_facelift_officials_say.html

This is the biggest road project in Essex County in some time. Personally I think spending $30 million because drivers lack the common sense to respect the speed limit and road conditions is a ridiculous waste. The drainage problems absolutely needed to be addressed, and with improvements short of straightening a road that's been there since 1811, a less costly solution could have been found.
As for Joe D's South Mountain improvements, I agree they're all fabulous additions that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Wholeheartedly agree. The recreation improvements have been a fantastic plus for our communities. But spending $30m to "straighten a road" seems, for lack of a better word, dumb.

Plus doesn't a straightened road potentially incentivize people to speed?

Sweetsnuggles said:
Does anyone know whether the pull-off/parking area near Hemlock Falls will be re-opened? I'm referring to the area on the east bound side about halfway through the curves.

I don't know, but you can access the falls easily by parking in the lower area at Tulip Springs and walking over the bridge.

I was just saying that I see people walking over the new pedestrian bridge all the time now...

I, too, have been enjoying some of the "recreational improvements," but yes!, @rhw, I've been meaning to post about those awful, awful fake stone walls. I really hope they plan on planting in front of them, because it's an offense to make us look at those every time we drive through. It used to be so pretty through there.

I thought they were going to straighten out he S curves. They don't seem uncurved by much to me.

rhw said:
and what is the deal with the "fake" stone retaining walls.....ugly!

Those retaining walls were built using what's known as a concrete form liner. The concrete is poured in a mold that has a stone pattern, imprinting it onto the concrete panels. There is tremendous variety in the appearance of the form liners, which can be colored. Good quality form liners are nearly indistinguishable from stone. My hope is we're not seeing the finished product, and it will look like a stone wall when done.

http://www.customrock.com/stained-concrete-contractors-offer-architects-the-freedom-to-design/

But the seams in the "stonework" are awful. And there doesn't yet seem to be much variation. The bridge is being faced decently, but those walls (so far) are the worst! Fingers crossed that the "stone" will be made to look like stone, and the seams will disappear.

nan said:
I thought they were going to straighten out he S curves. They don't seem uncurved by much to me.

You're still driving through a work zone, and the just is just over half complete. Even though it's the biggest project underway in Essex County, I can't find plans anywhere, including the County's website.

The S curves have been straightened, but the actual road still largely follows the older alignment. Until the retaining walls, lighting, new parking areas, paving and guardrails are done, we'll still be using the S curves.

Sweetsnuggles said:
Does anyone know whether the pull-off/parking area near Hemlock Falls will be re-opened? I'm referring to the area on the east bound side about halfway through the curves.

Again, if I could a plan I'd answer your question. But the project description says parking areas and access will be upgraded, so I'm going to say it'll be paved, allowing markings for entrance, exit and parking spaces.

If Joey D has so much to spend, I'd like to see the addition of a sports complex...large swimming facility plus indoor track.

Ugh. Agree about those fake walls...awful-looking. I really hope they will receive some other natural-looking facing

Many years from now people will ask "What happened to the South Mountain Reservation? There used to be woods there." But you will have your mini-golf, swan boats, Muck Fest, nice s-curves, and expanded parking deck at the arena/zoo.

yahooyahoo said:
Many years from now people will ask "What happened to the South Mountain Reservation? There used to be woods there." But you will have your mini-golf, swan boats, Muck Fest, nice s-curves, and expanded parking deck at the arena/zoo.

There weren't really "woods" in that part of the Reservation anyway. As I recall it was a pretty underutilized section there.

yahooyahoo said:
Many years from now people will ask "What happened to the South Mountain Reservation? There used to be woods there." But you will have your mini-golf, swan boats, Muck Fest, nice s-curves, and expanded parking deck at the arena/zoo.

There are still plenty of woods and secluded areas. The reservation is big. And in fact there has also been a lot of maintenance in other areas getting rid of dead or dying trees and planting new ones. That corner was always basically unused and is a great place for active recreation. A well designed parks system combines active and passive recreational activities.

yahooyahoo said:
Many years from now people will ask "What happened to the South Mountain Reservation? There used to be woods there." But you will have your mini-golf, swan boats, Muck Fest, nice s-curves, and expanded parking deck at the arena/zoo.

No they won't.

ffof said:
If Joey D has so much to spend, I'd like to see the addition of a sports complex...large swimming facility plus indoor track.

Seems like he is doing that in Cedar Grove - turf fields and track. Nothing indoors.

And it is not just the reservation. JD has made Branch Brook Park the repository of the largest concentration of Cherry Trees in the U.S. There were always a lot of them there but they were aging. He renewed and expanded the number substantially.