Route 31 traffic shift announced in Hampton
NJDOT to begin reconstruction of the bridge over NJ TRANSIT

On Friday night, March 30, NJDOT’s contractor, Konkus Corporation, is scheduled to shift both lanes of Route 31 traffic onto the southbound side of the bridge and begin reconstruction of the northbound half of the structure. This stage of construction is expected to last approximately eight months. Traffic then will be shifted onto the newly constructed northbound structure and approach roadway while the southbound side of the bridge is reconstructed.

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. Periodic single-lane closures will be necessary on the bridge with alternating traffic patterns in place during overnight and off-peak hours.

Construction began on the $7.8 million federally-funded project last month, with the contractor restriping and installing new signage at the Route 31 intersection with Main Street, to the south of the bridge in Glen Gardner Borough.

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.

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 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.