Samantha Impaglia 
Almost ten months after a sinkhole opened up and was repaired on the Hoboken waterfront along Sinatra Drive, the City has announced plans to start reconstructing the area after the discovery of significant erosion of the concrete seawall. Starting April 10th, the Waterfront Reconstruction Project in Hoboken will be in full swing — with the eastern lane of Sinatra Drive from approximately Fifth Street to Sinatra Drive North closing 24/7 throughout the duration of the project. The reconstruction period is set to take place through fall 2025. Read on for more about the Waterfront Reconstruction Project in Hoboken, and how vehicular and pedestrian access will be limited during this time.
Photo Credit: Tiffanie Fisher
Background on the June 2024 Sinkhole + Waterfront Barricades
On June 14th, 2024, a sinkhole opened on Sinatra Drive in Hoboken along the waterfront walkway after a thunderstorm crashed through Hudson County. Crews shut down the street between Seventh and Ninth Streets to make necessary repairs that weekend.
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Shortly after the sinkhole occurred, barricades were put up along certain areas of the waterfront. Per Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, the City hired engineers to do preliminary reviews of the majority of the waterfront after the sinkhole occurred, and barriers were put up in areas that required further investigation for potential repairs. While there were no confirmed damages in those areas at the time the barriers were put up, the City was erring on the side of caution to keep residents safe.
In the middle of August, the barriers still resided on Sinatra Drive, and locals were wondering why. It was then revealed that the barriers would be staying for a while as engineers came to the conclusion that certain areas required further investigation for potential repairs. The goal was to complete any repairs by summer 2025.
We now know that the repairs will take place through fall 2025, after a discovery of significant erosion of the concrete seawall beneath portions of Sinatra Drive and the waterfront walkway. The investigation revealed that the void beneath the seawall, measuring 11 feet long, 20 inches high, and 48 inches deep, was caused by the loss of historic fill beneath the seawall, which dates back to the 1950s.
Read More: Hoboken + Jersey City Jersey Avenue Closure Postponed Until April 14, 2025
What is the Waterfront Reconstruction Project?
As mentioned above, the concrete seawall that lies beneath Sinatra Drive and the waterfront walkway was found to have significant erosion — requiring a longer period of repairs in order to ensure long-term safety, resilience, and functionality. The first phase of the project aims to rebuild and stabilize the eroding concrete seawall beneath the area from approximately the gazebo near Seventh Street to the skate park near Ninth Street.
Photo Credit: City of Hoboken
Per a press release from the City of Hoboken, the project began Monday, April 7th, with initial mobilization activities — including staging equipment and removal of surface features like benches and garbage cans. Construction is scheduled for Monday through Friday between 8AM and 4PM. To expedite construction, the City will seek City Council approval for a waiver from the noise ordinance to extend these hours from 8AM to 8PM on weekdays, allow for work on Saturdays between 8AM and 4PM, and on select federal holidays.
On or about Thursday, April 10th, contractors will begin by demolishing the existing surface infrastructure, including the skate park, pavement, sidewalks, curbs, pavers, and railings, to reveal the existing concrete seawall planks. Over the next several months, the seawall will be reinforced with a combined pipe pile and steel sheet pile wall in critical areas, followed by the installation of new planking. The contractors will use barges and tugboats to transport large equipment and materials to the site via the Hudson River to reduce traffic impacts and conduct in-water work related to the installation of the new seawall.
How Will Hoboken Residents be Affected?
On Thursday, April 10th, Sinatra Drive will be closed in both directions starting at 8AM through approximately 6PM to establish a new traffic pattern to allow for construction. Beginning on the evening of April 10th, the eastern lane of Sinatra Drive from approximately Fifth Street to Sinatra Drive North will be closed 24/7 throughout the duration of the project. This phase of the project is expected to be completed by fall 2025.
Southbound traffic will be redirected to Hudson Street. Southbound truck traffic will be diverted onto Washington Street. The western lane of Sinatra Drive will remain open to northbound vehicles and allow for emergency vehicle access. Temporary no parking signs will be posted.
Due to safety concerns, pedestrian access will be prohibited near the construction area on both sides of Sinatra Drive between the gazebo and the southern border of the former Union Dry Dock site. With construction work narrowing the street during peak summer months, and vibrations from ongoing construction increasing the risk of falling rocks, pedestrians will be directed to use Hudson Street as an alternative route.
To manage traffic circulation and ensure pedestrian safety, the City will have police officers on-site between the hours of 8AM and 12AM during the construction period. Detour signage will also be posted.
Summer Streets 2025
To allow safe pedestrian and cyclist access during construction, the City will reintroduce the Summer Streets initiative early this year. Starting on Sunday, April 13th, Sinatra Drive will be closed to all vehicles on Sundays from 8AM to 12PM.
Next Phases + Other Updates
Additional project phases will include the waterfront near the former Monarch site at 15th Street and Shipyard Lane, the southern portion of Sinatra Park at the boat launch, and the walkway near the southern entrance to Pier C Park.
This reconstruction project serves as the first step for the broader Sinatra Drive Redesign Project, which will incorporate Vision Zero upgrades, a two-way protected bikeway from Fourth Street to Sinatra Drive North, safer pedestrian crossings, the planting of 164 trees, lighting upgrades, and additional on-street parking.
The new seawall will also allow for construction of Phase I of Maritime Park at the former Union Dry Dock site, which includes a new skatepark with both street and transition/bowl style features, a public plaza inspired by the Palisade Cliffs, a living shoreline to promote educational opportunities and restore natural habitats, and a temporary learning nursery and tree staging area.
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For additional information on the Waterfront Reconstruction Project, click here. For a weekly construction schedule, head to Hoboken’s construction website. For a FAQ on the Waterfront Reconstruction Project in Hoboken, click here.
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