The construction work which recently began on the "S-Curves" of South Orange Avenue (Route 510) in South Mountain Reservation is part of a $30 Million project to modernize the roadway, according to Essex County Public Relations Officer Anthony Puglisi. The project was announced in 2009. The construction will take place from the intersection of South Orange Avenue and Brookside Drive/Cherry Lane in Millburn to Harding Drive in South Orange. In an email to Essex County Place, Puglisi said that the "federally-funded project to modernize South Orange Avenue is expected to last about two years". However, according to Puglisi, "traffic lanes in both directions will remain open during construction (and) there will be no closures".
Several trees have already been removed along South Orange Avenue in South Mountain Reservation. According to information given by the county when the project was first announced, the roadway will be widened so that there is additional shoulder space in the eastbound lanes. In addition, the sharpness of curves will be reduced. Also, a new drainage system will be created. Two new bridges over South Orange Avenue will be built. One will be for replacing the existing Lenape Trail bridge, and the other will be located near the Girl Scouts camping area.
