CAMDEN, N.J. — New Jersey American Water is set to begin an $8.8 million water system improvement project in Long Branch this month, part of a broader effort to modernize aging infrastructure across the state.
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The project, announced April 7, will focus on replacing aging water mains in the city’s West End section, a mixed residential and commercial area that sees both daily and seasonal demand due to its proximity to beaches, dining and local amenities.
“This is a substantial investment in the future of Long Branch’s water system,” said Paul Morales, superintendent of field operations for New Jersey American Water’s Shrewsbury Operating Center. “Upgrading older mains and reinforcing the system at this scale will benefit customers for generations to come by improving service reliability, supporting water quality and enhancing fire flow throughout the community.”
The project will replace approximately 2.5 miles of water main originally installed in the 1930s with new 8-inch ductile iron pipes. The upgrade aims to enhance system resilience, reduce the risk of water main breaks and improve overall service performance.
Construction will take place along multiple streets, including Howland Avenue, Passey Gardens, Hollywood Avenue, Lenox Avenue, Woodgate Avenue, High Street, Montgomery Avenue, North Bath Avenue, Hoey Street, Eastbourne Avenue, Matilda Terrace and West End Avenue.
By targeting infrastructure that has been in service for nearly a century, the utility is addressing long-standing reliability concerns while preparing the system to meet future demand.
Weather permitting, work is scheduled to begin on or around April 13 and continue through the end of September 2026. Crews will operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with weekend work not anticipated unless necessary to maintain the project schedule.
The work will be carried out by Montana Construction Inc., a qualified contractor, with traffic management coordinated alongside local officials to ensure safety and minimize disruptions.
Residents can expect continued access to homes and driveways throughout construction. The company also noted that daily cleanup will be performed, and temporary restoration will be installed following excavation. Permanent restoration is expected approximately 90 days after project completion, once soil conditions stabilize.
The infrastructure improvements are expected to strengthen water service reliability, enhance water quality and improve fire protection capabilities for homes and businesses in the area.
Customers are encouraged to update their contact information through their MyWater accounts to receive project updates. Non-account holders can also opt in for notifications by texting “WATER” to 99411.
New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, serves approximately 3 million people across more than 190 communities statewide and continues to prioritize long-term infrastructure investments to support growing demand and system resilience.
Originally reported by American Water.
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