NJDOT to improve Route 22 Park Avenue and Bonnie Burn Road interchange in Scotch Plains and Watchung

(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced the start of construction on a $4.9 million safety and operational improvement project at the interchange of Route 22 with Park Avenue and Bonnie Burn Road in Scotch Plains, Union County and Watchung Borough, Somerset County.

Improving this busy interchange will make traveling safer and easier for motorists on Route 22 and the local roadways.

On Monday, January 11, NJDOT will begin initial tree-trimming and other construction operations on the overpass ramp over Route 22. Temporary lane closures on the ramp may be necessary during these operations.

On or about January 15, NJDOT will then shift Route 22 traffic to the south at the Park Avenue bridge approach, in order to establish a permanent work-zone on the northern side of the bridge. One lane of Route 22 will be maintained in each direction during normal work hours. Concurrently, NJDOT will also shift Bonnie Burn Road traffic to the south to set up a work-zone with construction barriers on the northbound side of the roadway. Construction operations will begin on the western side of New Providence Road as well. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction on both local roadways.

No road closures or detours are planned during the first stages of construction. It will be necessary for NJDOT to close and detour Bonnie Burn Road during later stages of construction. NJDOT will provide advance notice of those closures.

NJDOT will address the current traffic congestion issues throughout the Route 22 interchange with Bonnie Burn Road and Park Avenue by widening the Bonnie Burn Road/New Providence Road intersection with the Route 22 overpass to include dedicated left-turn, dedicated right-turn, and one through-lane at all four roadway approaches. The Route 22 overpass and the Park Avenue/Sunset Place intersection with the Route 22 overpass will be widened to include dedicated left-turn lanes as well, and a new traffic signal will be installed at the intersection. NJDOT will also rehabilitate the Green Brook culvert retaining walls in order to reinforce the existing Route 22 overpass.

NJDOT will also improve the existing drainage system and landscaping/aesthetic improvements will also be made throughout the interchange.

The project is anticipated for completion by the end of 2011.

All work and traffic pattern changes are weather permitting. Variable message signs will notify motorists of the start of construction and any upcoming traffic pattern changes on Route 22. NJDOT provides emergency roadway information, construction schedule updates and real time traffic information and images at www.511nj.org.