Route 31 improvements announced
in Glen Gardner and Hampton
NJDOT to reconstruct bridge over NJ TRANSIT and reconfigure
Main Street intersection

The $7.8 million federally-funded project will replace the existing, structurally deficient Route 31 bridge over an inactive NJ TRANSIT rail line and resurface the bridge approaches. Safety improvements will be made to the Route 31 intersection with Main Street.

On Friday, February 17, NJDOT’s contractor, Konkus Corporation, is scheduled to begin initial construction activity at the Route 31 intersection with Main Street in Glen Gardner.

• The intersection will be modified and restriped to restrict Main Street motorists from crossing the state highway or making left turns onto Route 31 from either Main Street approach.

• The left-turns from both directions of Route 31 onto Main Street will now be restricted.

Due to recent serious accidents at the intersection officials from both municipalities requested safety improvements at this location.

“These changes have been designed to promote safety for motorists at this irregular intersection, and are the result of meetings with local and state elected officials who share our commitment to safety,” said Transportation Commissioner James Simpson.

Upon completion of the intersection improvements work, the contractor will begin work to replace the bridge. NJDOT will build a new single span structure, which will be wider than the existing bridge to accommodate a lengthened northbound climbing lane, providing two northbound lanes on the bridge, and full-width shoulders. The existing bridge carries two lanes southbound and only one lane northbound over the rail line, with substandard shoulders. A new six foot wide sidewalk will be built on the southbound side of the bridge.

NJDOT has scheduled the bridge to be replaced in stages so that one travel lane on Route 31 in both directions will remain open to traffic during peak periods. The northbound side of the bridge will be replaced first with traffic shifted onto the southbound side. Traffic then will be shifted onto the newly constructed northbound structure and approach roadway while the southbound side of the bridge is reconstructed. Periodic single-lane closures will be necessary on the bridge with alternating traffic patterns in place during overnight and off-peak hours.

The final stage of construction will repave Route 31 between the Main Street intersection to the south of the bridge and Lackawanna Street to the north. Dynamic message signs will notify motorists of upcoming traffic pattern changes.

The existing highway and bridge were built in the early 1930 to bypass the Main Streets in Glen Gardner and Hampton. Approximately 20,000 vehicles use this bridge every day.

The project has been under development for a number of years, during which the Department initiated extensive public outreach including a public information center and officials briefings. The project is expected to be complete in fall 2013.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website real-time travel information.