By: STAFF
After a punishing winter of repeated snowstorms, freezing temperatures, and damaging road conditions, Mayor Tony Vauss and the Township of Irvington are moving aggressively to restore safer, smoother streets through the launch of Operation Smooth Streets, a township-wide pothole repair initiative aimed at improving roadway conditions for residents, motorists, and visitors across the community.
The Irvington Department of Public Works began its pothole repair campaign on March 23, 2026, targeting hundreds of potholes that developed throughout the township following the severe winter season.
To accelerate the work and respond with the urgency the situation demands, Mayor Vauss has authorized the hiring of 4 separate companies to work alongside Irvington DPW crews in a large-scale push to tackle the problem head-on.
The initiative reflects Mayor Vauss’ continued commitment to the people of Irvington and his determination to improve everyday quality of life throughout the township.
“I love this community, and I care deeply about the people who live here,”said Mayor Tony Vauss. “When our streets are damaged, our residents feel it every single day.
Our families, our drivers, our neighborhoods, and our businesses all depend on safe, reliable roads.
After the severe winter we experienced, we knew we had to move quickly and aggressively, and that is exactly what we are doing.”
Operation Smooth Streets is designed to deliver visible, practical results for the community by repairing roadway damage caused by one of the season’s toughest winters.
Potholes often worsen after active winters because repeated freezing and thawing cause pavement to crack, weaken, shift, and break apart.
This year’s multiple snowstorms, extended cold, and harsh road conditions accelerated that damage, making an expanded township response necessary.
By combining township resources with four contracted companies, Irvington is intensifying its repair effort to ensure that as many roads as possible are addressed efficiently and effectively.
Township officials say the work is about more than patching pavement — it is about protecting public safety, preserving infrastructure, and responding directly to the needs of the community.
“This is a major quality-of-life initiative,” the administration said. “We know residents have been dealing with the wear and tear caused by this winter, and we want the community to know that we are not waiting , we are acting.
Operation Smooth Streets is about responsive government, neighborhood improvement, and delivering the kind of service our residents deserve.”
Repair crews are authorized to perform work primarily during daytime hours, generally between9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
As the work continues block by block throughout Irvington, residents and motorists should expect temporary lane closures, brief traffic delays, and short-term inconvenience in active repair zones.
Township officials stressed that any temporary disruption will result in long-term benefits for drivers, families, and neighborhoods across Irvington.
“This effort is about protecting our roads, improving traffic safety, and making sure our residents see action when issues affect their daily lives,”the administration added. “We ask the public for patience and cooperation as this important work continues throughout the township.”
As Operation Smooth Streets moves through Irvington, residents are encouraged to help the township identify potholes that may still need attention.
Officials want to make sure no street, block, or neighborhood is overlooked during the repair process.
See a pothole? Let us know.
If you see potholes on your street or in your neighborhood, please do not hesitate to contact the Irvington Department of Public Works to make sure the location is on the repair list and that nothing is missed.
Department of Public Works Contact Information
Cassandra Chatman, Director of Public Works
Municipal Building
One Civic Square
Irvington, New Jersey 07111
Main Telephone: 973-399-6707
Email: cchatman@irvingtonnj.gov
Through Operation Smooth Streets, Mayor Vauss and the Township of Irvington are reinforcing their commitment to strong public service, responsive government, neighborhood quality of life, and continued investment in the community’s infrastructure.
Residents are encouraged to remain alert in work zones and to give repair crews the room they need to complete the work safely and efficiently.