Sinatra Drive near collapse to be declared ‘state of emergency’ by Hudson County and city

HOBOKEN – Both the city and county are declaring a state of emergency to speed the recovery of the Sinatra Drive roadway collapse near 14th Street.
Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise will issue a state of emergency declaration today regarding the collapsed area. Mayor Dawn Zimmer will also issue a state of emergency to “ensure the safety and welfare of Hoboken residents.”
Zimmer was on the scene yesterday early afternoon alongside engineers, and said she was there because this is an emergency for the city.
The announcement of a state of emergency will allow the county administration to bypass the usual rules that would slow down the selection of the engineering and construction professionals who will have to be brought in to assess and repair the roadway, according to a Hudson County press release.
On Tuesday, it was reported that the hole grew from the initial 15′ by 50′ because of tides and bad weather. Divers and engineers were on the scene Tuesday afternoon surveying the damage to plan for the repair. More stormy weather is expected this weekend, which could affect the size of the collapsed area.
“We will work around the clock to get the answers necessary to get Sinatra Drive North fixed swiftly and safely,” DeGise said in a press release. “We will know by Monday what the conditions are beneath this road are, so that whatever repairs are done are permanent solutions to this problem.”
“We truly appreciate the county declaring a state of emergency in order to expedite the full evaluation and complete repair of this road,” Zimmer said in the release.
The cause of the collapse, which occurred Friday late afternoon, has not yet been announced by officials. – Ray Smith