Update – Second demolition blasting of old Route 3 Passaic River bridge foundation pushed back
Controlled blasting will require a series of 15-minute stoppages on Route 3, Route 21, Riverside Avenue and Passaic River waterway over the next couple weeks
(Trenton) - NJDOT officials today announced that the second controlled demolition blasting to the foundation of the old Route 3 Passaic River bridge, originally scheduled for this morning around 11:30, has been pushed back to around midnight (12 a.m.) tonight.
NJDOT’s contractor, Creamer-Sanzari JV, is timing the blasts to coincide with the peak of high tide. Conditions did not allow for the blast to go off as planned this morning, so the contractor has rescheduled the blast for the overnight high tide.
The first of a series of six (6) planned blasting events - closely controlled with minimal audible impact - successfully took place yesterday morning.
Standard safety procedures are requiring brief, temporary stoppages of all traffic on the river itself, as well as the following roadways during the blasts:
• Route 3 in both directions between mileposts 3.8 and 5.1 (approximately ½ mile from the bridge in each direction).
• Route 21 northbound including the ramp to Route 3.
• Riverside Avenue in both directions between Rutherford Avenue and Marginal Road.
Each event will require an approximately 15-minute window of traffic stoppage. Variable Message Signs are providing advance notification to motorists throughout the blasting area.
The third blast is scheduled to take place around 1:30 p.m. on Monday, February 4 and the fourth blast is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, February 6 at around 4:30 a.m.. The contractor has not yet scheduled the final two blasting events.
Last month the contractor shifted the Route 3 westbound travel lanes onto a newly completed portion of the new westbound bridge. Route 3 is now carrying three travel lanes in each direction on the outer thirds of the new raised level Route 3 Passaic River bridge. The old bridge is now being demolished, with construction of the inner third of the new structure to begin in the spring. Ultimately the new Passaic River bridge will carry four travel lanes in each direction – two Local lanes and two Express lanes.
The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather, on-site job conditions or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information.
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