The North Bergen Junior High School project faces another delay, now postponed to September 2025, due to major construction projects to improve safety and infrastructure.
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- The completion of the North Bergen Junior High School is postponed again due to ongoing construction projects aimed at flood mitigation.
- Initiatives led by the Township of North Bergen and the North Bergen MUA are essential for enhancing safety and the quality of life around the new campus.
- Despite delays, the new campus plans to offer comprehensive educational programs, including Culinary Arts and Expanded Career Technical Education.
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The Reason Behind the Delay
The North Bergen Junior High School project faces another delay, pushing its opening to September 2025. This postponement, announced by Superintendent of Schools Dr. George Solter, is attributed to two major ongoing construction projects aimed at reducing flooding to enhance the safety and quality of life for students, faculty, and the surrounding neighborhood.
Official Statements
District officials, including Superintendent George Solter, have addressed the delay. Solter stated, “We are as eager as our students and their families to see the new junior high school open its doors, but we must ensure that every aspect of the campus is ready to provide the best possible educational environment.” This statement reflects the district’s commitment to quality, albeit acknowledging the frustration caused by the delay.
Flood Mitigation and Drainage Improvement
The Township has engaged Boswell Engineering for a state grant-funded project on Mazzoni Place to enhance sewer capacity and stormwater management. This project is expected to be completed in late 2024. Additionally, the MUA’s project will address untreated wastewater capture, complying with state Department of Environmental Protection mandates, with construction starting in the coming months.
Construction Challenges and Timeline
Originally intended to break ground in March 2022, the project faced setbacks due to lawsuits, the COVID-19 pandemic, the death of the district’s construction manager, and global supply chain issues affecting the procurement of essential materials. Approval from the New Jersey State Comptroller’s Office was required, which was granted this month after the proposal submission in July 2022.
Educational Opportunities and Improvements
The West Campus of the North Bergen Junior High School, located at 8511 Tonnelle Ave., will serve grades 7 through 9. It will also offer Culinary Arts and Expanded Career Technical Education programs for grades 9 through 12. The inclusion of vocational programs such as carpentry, plumbing, and automotive tech aims to prepare students for in-demand careers and create smaller class sizes.
