Route 202 to be closed for one week over
the Passaic River
Planned closure necessary for NJDOT to replace the aging bridge
(Trenton) - The Route 202 bridge over the Passaic River, connecting Bernards (Somerset County) and Harding (Morris County) townships, will be closed to all users for a full week NJDOT officials today announced.
Beginning around 7 p.m. Saturday night, August 18, NJDOT will close Route 202 in both directions over the bridge until approximately 7 p.m., Saturday, August 25. During this time period NJDOT’s contractor, Joseph Sanzari, Inc., will demolish the existing, structurally deficient bridge and replace it with a new pre-cast concrete bridge which has been manufactured off site. The use of pre-cast concrete bridge components enables NJDOT to significantly shorten the construction schedule and minimize the overall impact to traffic and the local business community.
The planned detour routes are:
• Route 202 northbound motorists will be detoured via N. Maple Avenue to Lee’s Hill Road to Glen Alpine Road to Route 202.
• Route 202 southbound motorists will be detoured via Glen Alpine Road to Lee’s Hill Road to N. Maple Avenue to Route 202.
A temporary traffic signal will be utilized to control access to and from Shalebrook Drive at Route 202, located north of the bridge in Harding. Variable message signs are being utilized to notify motorists of the closure and associated detours.
This week-long closure was originally scheduled to take place this fall. However, through the combined efforts and coordination of NJDOT, Sanzari Inc., and the local officials this closure will now take place in August, before local schools begin classes.
The $3 million federally-funded project began construction activity in March including survey work, utility relocation and bridge abutment repair. NJDOT will also upgrade the existing guide rail and resurface the bridge approaches between N. Maple Avenue/Childs Drive (CR 613) and Shale Brook Drive. The original bridge was built in 1924. Approximately 10,000 vehicles use this bridge every day to cross the Passaic River.
Outside of this week-long closure, NJDOT has maintained all travel lanes on the bridge daily between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. during the preceding 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 real-time travel information.
| 
