In Woodbridge Township, a significant crack that first appeared weeks ago along Smith Street remains unrepaired, leaving local residents in the Keasby section frustrated and anxious. The roadway serves as a crucial link between Woodbridge and Perth Amboy and provides access to major arteries such as the Garden State Parkway. County and township officials have confirmed the damage was triggered by a nearby construction project, but as of now no firm start date for permanent repairs has been announced.
Residents first noticed the fissure in early September. Over time, what began as a small split widened into a gap as much as a foot or more in places, running along a stretch that in some reports spans nearly a quarter mile. In certain spots, the crack is deep and unstable. Due to safety concerns, portions of Smith Street have been closed, and traffic detours have been established to redirect vehicles around the damaged area.
Officials from Middlesex County, working alongside Woodbridge Township, say they have determined the root of the problem lies in construction activity on adjacent property. The county’s Department of Transportation cited excavations tied to a warehouse development that undermined the subsoil supporting the roadbed. In response, temporary stabilization measures—such as soil supports and erosion control—have been put in place to prevent further collapse.
Still, those interim fixes stop short of a full remedy. According to Mayor John McCormac, the road may need to be completely reconstructed from the base up. He has estimated that the entire repair process could take six to nine months to complete, given the need to dig beneath utilities, rebuild the foundation, and repave. Some homes near the cracked section were briefly evacuated when the damage first became severe, though officials later declared them safe to reoccupy after monitoring movement in the soil. Sensors and alarms have been deployed to detect any further shifting in real time.
Meanwhile, commuters and residents continue to bear the brunt of the disruption. The road closures force drivers onto alternate routes, adding travel time, congestion, and stress. Local businesses near the affected stretch also feel pressure from reduced traffic flow and access constraints.
In conversations with residents, some expressed skepticism over the pace of accountability and concern over transparency in the repair schedule. Many want a clear timeline and assurances that construction will be handled responsibly so that similar incidents do not recur. For now, what is known is that the crack was not due to aging infrastructure or underground mines, as was speculated early on, but rather extraneous construction work that disturbed the soil supporting the road.
Officials emphasize they understand the urgency. The county is still analyzing engineering data, evaluating utility displacement, and coordinating with the township to plan for full reconstruction. Once finalized, they plan to share the schedule with the public. Until then, residents remain in limbo, watching the cracked roadway each day and waiting for action that would restore full connectivity and safety to this vital corridor.
