Since June 2024, there has been on and off construction on the sidewalks of North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha, in Parsippany–Troy Hills, commonly known as Parsippany, a township in Morris County, New Jersey.
The project has been referred to by the Parsippany Engineering Department as the “Streetscape Project.”
The Streetscape Project consists of a full depth reconstruction of North Beverwyck Road, along with sidewalk reconstruction, decorative street light installation, water main replacement, and milling and resurfacing. The project also includes the installation of drainage structures and drainage piping, according to township planning documents.
This reconstruction on North Beverwyck Road has led to detours since the project began, disrupting traffic and upsetting residents. This has led to many of the residents expressing conflicting opinions regarding the streetscape project.
While some are in support of the project, others have voiced opposition to the attempt to improve the functionality and aesthetics of the street, while some others are asking basic questions, like how much longer will the project that has been disrupting their lives and businesses last, how much is being invested in the work, is it money being well spent? and, indeed, is this supposed to be the most important need of the community at this time?
Lake Hiawatha resident, Nathaniel Orval Thompson, had a few words in regards to the project.
“Honestly it looks kind of the same, and seems to happen every spring and summer. It is more of an inconvenience than anything else, with a bunch of detours all the time,” said Thompson. “There are safer sidewalks I suppose, but the town should be spending money to fix the potholes instead. I usually avoid North Beverwyck because the potholes have messed up my tires twice already this year!”
Thompson spoke of how he understands the aesthetic value of a streetscape project, with a rise in restaurant and cafe outdoor seating adding “flair” to Lake Hiawatha’s main road, but he suggested other ways to bring “life” into the area.
“They should spend the money on more attractions. Lake Hiawatha is very local, small, and often boring. I wish we had more events going on, and that the town could sponsor community events,” said Thompson.
The Parsippany Department of Engineering could not be reached for their reaction at the time of going to press, but publicly accessible town documents disclose that the project started in 2024. Presently, the construction is moving North, starting at Super Foodtown on North Beverwyck Road and at the time of filing this report it has moved to the northern side of the intersection with Hiawatha Boulevard. The Northbound lane on North Beverwyck road beyond this intersection is temporarily obstructed during daytime hours due to construction. Businesses in construction areas, however, remain open.
