The City of Garfield (City) engaged Boswell Engineering to provide design and construction management services for the River Drive Improvement Project. This $8.5 Million project consisted of the widening, realignment and intersection improvements along a 0.87 mile section of River Drive. The project further included a waterfront park adjacent to the Passaic River and the Historic Dundee Dam, with a walkway and observation area to encourage public access to enjoy the scenic view the Dundee Falls.

The scope of work involved: widening River Drive from two (2) to four (4) lanes; modifying existing traffic signals; coordinating the installation of eight (8) new traffic signals with the County of Bergen; utility relocations; new drainage systems; a linear park and child play area along the top of the Passaic River bank; and, extensive public and community outreach along this heavily traveled route. Extensive plantings, together with benches and streetscape lighting, were installed along the entire length of the project in order to enhance an aesthetically pleasing entrance to the City.

The riverfront park, designed with an observation area to take advantage of the scenic views afforded of the Passaic River and the Historic Dundee Dam, further included a bicycle lane, a great lawn, a children's play area and two (2) parking lots. The park design provides for the future development of a canoeing/kayak trail on the Passaic River with boat launch facilities provided on either side of the Dundee Dam. Other elements include the resetting of an existing Revolutionary War Monument, a new General Pulaski monument and a Clock Tower. The riverfront shore line with a sand beach area, had been left in its natural condition. These amenities offer a buffer zone and privacy for walkers, fishermen and canoeists/kayakers enjoying the river and its shoreline.

This project is a result of a concerted effort over a period of two (2) decades to acquire multiple properties in order to improve River Drive, along with developing a significant recreational asset which will serve as the benchmark for future riverfront development along the Passaic River.