Route 17 lane closures necessary this afternoon for emergency bridge deck repairs in Hasbrouck Heights

Deck deterioration poses risk to motoring public

(Trenton) - New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced the immediate closure of one lane of Route 17 southbound in Hasbrouck Heights, Bergen County, for emergency repairs to the bridge deck above the roadway.

Beginning at 3 p.m. today, February 5, one lane of Route 17 southbound will be closed to remove loose concrete encasing the steel beams and any loose or delaminated steel over the travel lanes and sidewalk. The right lane will be closed first to do the work on the bridge, and then reopened with the left lane being closed to complete the repair. At least one lane will be maintained at all times.

Once the work is completed and all of the loose material is removed, the exposed steel surfaces will be cleaned and painted. The work is expected to be completed overnight before the morning commute.

The bridge, which was built in 1936 and carries Route 46 over Route 17, was one of the first bridges inspected as part of the NJDOT’s campaign to re-inspect structurally deficient bridges as a precaution to ensure public safety. The inspection found deterioration on the underside of the bridge deck with loose concrete and rusting and peeling steel, prompting the need for immediate repairs.

Variable message signs are being utilized to provide advance notification to the motoring public of all traffic pattern changes associated with the work.

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.