NJDOT to relieve congestion
on Route 17 in Bergen County

Project will eliminate bottlenecks and improve safety

(Trenton)– The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) will begin a project to improve traffic flow and safety at four major intersections along Route 17 in East Rutherford, Hasbrouck Heights and Rutherford in Bergen County.

“NJDOT’s Route 17 intersection improvements will significantly increase safety and reduce bottlenecks along one of New Jersey’s most congested roadways,” stated Governor Jon S. Corzine.

This $14.7 million project includes safety and capacity improvements at four intersections on Route 17. Improvements will target Route 17 at Highland Cross in Rutherford, at Union Avenue in East Rutherford, at Franklin Avenue and Malcolm Road in Hasbrouck Heights, and at Williams Avenue in Hasbrouck Heights. The 2004 Meadowlands Regional Transportation Analysis Report identified this project as a transportation priority.

NJDOT will improve motorist safety and reduce congestion at each intersection through the addition of new dedicated turning and auxiliary lanes. The right shoulder and median areas on Route 17 will be used to widen the roadway and add auxiliary lanes. Construction completion is anticipated in winter 2010.

Construction will begin at the Williams Avenue intersection on Tuesday, September 23. NJDOT will close the Route 17 shoulders in both directions between milepost 7.45 and milepost 8.60 in Hasbrouck Heights. The ramps from Route 17 to Williams Avenue will be closed overnight and detoured. Construction will begin at the Franklin Avenue and Malcolm Road intersection soon thereafter. During the closures, motorists will take Route 17 to the next intersection, make a U-turn and travel to their destination.

In order to reconstruct each intersection, ramps will be closed Monday through Thursday from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., Friday nights from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., Saturday nights from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m., and Sunday nights from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Work will be performed at two intersections simultaneously.

NJDOT installed Variable Message Signs on Route 17 to inform motorists of any ramp closures and changes in traffic patterns during construction. Real time travel and construction information is available online at www.511nj.org.