Route 3 eastbound lane
closures overnight this week to begin
Paterson Plank Road bridge repairs in Secaucus

A series of full closures necessary
on Friday nights to repair damaged bridge

(Trenton) - New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced the start of a bridge repair project that will require overnight lane closures on Route 3 eastbound for the next few months, and a series of full closures on Friday nights to repair the Paterson Plank Road bridge over Route 3 in Secaucus. Construction will not affect Route 3 westbound traffic.

Beginning at 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 30 until 5 a.m. Thursday, March 31, and again at 10 p.m. Thursday, March 31 until 5 a.m. Friday, April 1, the two left lanes of Route 3 eastbound will be closed from just before the New Jersey Turnpike eastern spur in Secaucus to allow crews to begin the permanent repair of the Paterson Plank Road bridge over Route 3. One lane of Route 3 eastbound mainline and both lanes of the Route 3 service road will be maintained during construction.

The right lane of the Paterson Plank Road northbound bridge over Route 3 has been closed since February 2015 when a tractor trailer traveling on Route 3 struck the overpass. Temporary repairs were made at that time. This project will permanently replace the damaged steel beam and reconstruct the right northbound lane of the Paterson Plank Road bridge.

On Friday, April 1 at 10 p.m. until 8 a.m. Saturday, April 2 the mainline of Route 3 will be closed completely with traffic directed to the service road to allow demolition work on the overpass. This is the first of three full closures scheduled for Friday nights. Traffic will be directed to the Route 3 eastbound service road with a tapered lane closure beginning just before the Meadowlands/MetLife Stadium that will gradually close the three left lanes leaving only the single right lane open across the Route 3 bridge over the Hackensack River. After crossing the bridge, all traffic will be directed to the service road, which is two lanes.

In addition to the full closure of Route 3 scheduled for the next two Friday nights, there will be overnight work during the week requiring single or double lane closures on Route 3 eastbound for the next few months. At least one lane of Route 3 eastbound mainline will be maintained week nights during construction. The project is expected to be completed by summer.

Route 120 southbound
The ramp to Route 3/Alternate to New Jersey Turnpike Lincoln Tunnel New York City will be closed beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, April 1 until 8 a.m. Saturday, April 2.

• Traffic on Route 120 southbound heading to Route 3 eastbound will be directed to stay right to use the ramp toward Route 3 east/Meadowlands Parkway Secaucus. Traffic will still be able to access the New Jersey Turnpike and the Lincoln Tunnel.

Paterson Plank Road northbound
Paterson Plank Road northbound also will be closed beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, April 1 until 8 a.m. Saturday, April 2 just before Route 3 with the following detour:

• Traffic will be directed to Route 3 westbound, under the New Jersey Turnpike to the Secaucus exit to Paterson Plank Road

Seek Alternate Routes
Motorists traveling east heading toward Secaucus and the Lincoln Tunnel are advised to seek alternate routes overnight, such as Route 46 or I-80.

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.