OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nathaniel Styer | Communications Director
Mayor Solomon Launches “JC Spring Clean Up”
Comprehensive plan deploys dedicated pothole repair crews, citywide street cleaning teams, and bike lane restoration after a historically brutal winter
JERSEY CITY, NJ (March 16, 2026) — Mayor James Solomon today announced the “JC Spring Clean Up,” a comprehensive, three-pronged initiative to repair, clean, and restore the city’s streets and infrastructure following a winter that brought two historic storms to Jersey City. The initiative launches immediately with pothole repair crews already on the road, and street cleaning teams deploying to major corridors beginning today.
“Jersey City residents deserve clean, functional streets. We want streets you can drive on without dodging craters, walk along without stepping through trash, and bike on without navigating debris,”
said Mayor Solomon. “This winter tested our infrastructure, and now we’re answering with an aggressive street repair and cleaning effort.”
Pothole Repair: Back In-House and Fully Operational
For the first time in years, the City of Jersey City is bringing pothole repair operations back in-house to the Department of Public Works. Since 2023, the city had relied on the Municipal Utilities Authority to provide pothole and patching services at a cost of over $1 million per year. Under Mayor Solomon’s direction, the DPW has stood up a dedicated pothole repair unit, restored equipment, and begun operations.
The unit is led by Brian Mills, who previously ran the city’s pothole operations who has been brought back to lead the effort. The city has restored one pothole truck, purchased a new towable patching oven, and is working to bring a total of three patching units online.
Key details of the pothole plan:
• 27 priority streets have been identified across every neighborhood in the city, selected based on traffic volume, pavement age, and geographic diversity.
• Crews began operations last week, and are out daily weather permitting (“hot patch” pothole repairs are the preferred method, but require at least 40 degree weather and dry ground).
• Each repair will be documented electronically, including location, materials used, and a photo, with daily reporting to the Mayor’s Office.
• After priority streets are complete, crews will pivot to residential streets using
SeeClickFix reports, with over 150 complaints already logged and queued.
• JCPD will provide traffic safety support when crews are working on major streets.
Street Cleaning: Deep Clean Teams Hit Every Major Corridor
Simultaneously, the city is deploying concentrated street cleaning teams to deep-clean major streets and commercial districts across Jersey City. A task force of 10 laborers, led by supervisors Darren Scocco and Dannon Hill, will move corridor by corridor, beginning with commercial areas not currently served by a Special Improvement District.
The effort begins today on Ocean Avenue, the city’s largest business district without SID coverage, and will move through more than 20 priority streets over the coming weeks, including MLK Drive, Monticello Avenue, Palisade Avenue, Bergen Avenue, Communipaw Avenue, and the Junction.
Key details of the street cleaning plan:
• Each street will receive a full-day deep clean from a team of 10, with before-and- after photos and daily reporting to the Mayor’s Office.
• Code Compliance officers will follow up after each cleaning shift to verify quality and flag properties with neglected sidewalks.
•
Starting in April, the city will use grant funding to hire seasonal worker to increase our capacity to keep these streets clean in spring and summer and expand converge to clean secondary streets and residential blocks.
Community clean-ups will launch in the coming weeks in coordination with council members and neighborhood associations. The city will support volunteer clean-ups with seasonal labor and DPW resources.
Bike Lane Cleaning: Clearing the Way for Spring
As part of the Spring Clean Up, the city will prioritize clearing and cleaning Jersey City’s bike lane network alongside its street cleaning operations. Winter storms left debris, gravel, and litter accumulated in bike lanes across the city, and the administration is committed to restoring them to safe, rideable condition as the weather warms.
“Spring is here, and people should feel confident getting back on their bikes,” said Mayor Solomon. “Our bike lanes are a critical part of how Jersey City moves, and we’re making sure they’re clean, clear, and ready to ride.”
Bike lane clearing will be ongoing throughout the street cleaning campaign, with crews addressing protected and standard lanes as they move through each corridor.
Reporting a Pothole or Street Condition Residents can report potholes, street cleaning needs, and other road conditions through
SeeClickFix, the city’s resident reporting platform. All reports are reviewed by DPW
supervisors and queued for action.
“We made a promise that this city would work for the people who live here,”
said Mayor Solomon. “The Jersey City Spring Clean Up is what that looks like. We’re taking action, crews on the ground, streets getting fixed, and a city getting back in shape. This is just the beginning.”