Route 3 westbound shifted to interim alignment in Clifton, Rutherford and Lyndhurst

On Saturday night, June 30, NJDOT’s contractor, Creamer-Sanzari JV, is scheduled to implement a large-scale traffic shift of all Route 3 westbound travel lanes, from west of Route 17 in Rutherford to just east of Main Avenue in Clifton, to the former Route 3 eastbound alignment. To implement the new traffic pattern, the on/off ramps at the Route 3 interchange with Route 21 will be closed overnight as needed in Clifton.

This Route 3 westbound shift comes one week after NJDOT relocated Route 3 eastbound onto an interim alignment to the south of the existing highway.

Once the new traffic pattern is implemented by around 8 a.m. on Sunday July 1, Route 3 westbound motorists will be using the recently vacated Route 3 eastbound alignment. The relocation of both directions of Route 3 to the south will allow for the reconstruction and widening of the Route 3 westbound highway. This stage of construction is expected to last approximately 18 months.

This westbound traffic shift had been planned for later this month, but the contractor has expedited work and is able to implement the new traffic pattern at this time.

NJDOT is replacing the structurally deficient moveable bridge with a new fixed span over the Passaic River, connecting Clifton City in Passaic County with Rutherford and Lyndhurst in Bergen County. To relieve congestion and improve safety through the corridor, Route 3 is being rebuilt and realigned in both directions to include a total of 15 auxiliary (acceleration and deceleration) lanes on either side of the bridge approaches. NJDOT has staged the project in a manner that will enable motorists to cross the Passaic River throughout construction.

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 www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information.