The New Jersey Department of Transportation closed the Route 15 Southbound Bridge over the Rockaway River in Jefferson Township, Morris County on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

When monitoring equipment revealed movement in the structure, the Department chose out of an abundance of caution to close the bridge rather than leave a portion of it open to traffic.

NJDOT has developed an aggressive plan to construct a temporary bridge that will restore Route 15 southbound travel over the Rockaway River by July 19, 2024, just six weeks after the plan was created.

The temporary bridge will be 150 feet in length and is being built in sections off-site. The sections will be trucked to the site, lifted into place, and assembled. The temporary structure will be positioned directly above the remaining portion of the Route 15 southbound bridge. It will provide two travel lanes and accommodate passenger vehicles and trucks with no load restrictions.

To meet the schedule, numerous activities will be occurring simultaneously. The following is a list of key milestones that will mark our progress in the coming days and weeks. This webpage will be updated regularly to indicate when each milestone has been reached.

The larger project to replace the 124-year-old Route 15 SB Bridge over the Rockaway River will proceed while the temporary bridge is built. It will feature two 12-foot-wide travel lanes, 10-foot wide inside and outside shoulders, and sidewalks on both sides of the bridge. Construction of the project started in August 2022 and is expected to be completed in late 2025.

Detour

Motorists on Route 15 southbound wishing to take the bridge over Rockaway River will be directed to:

• Take the ramp to Edison Road, which is approximately two miles north of the closed bridge
• Continue on Edison Road/CR 615
• Turn left onto Espanong Road/CR 615, and bear left onto Minnisink Road
• Turn left onto Berkshire Valley Road
• Take the ramp for Route 15 southbound

Truck Detour

Truck-specific detour signs and message panels will be deployed soon. The Route 15 SB exit to Route 181 SB to Espanong Road to Minnisink Road to Berkshire Valley Road is a good option for trucks and cars enroute to I-80.

• While Traveling on Route 15 southbound, turn left onto Taylor Road
• Turn left onto Route 15 northbound and travel approximately 12 and ½ miles towards Route 94
• Turn left onto Route 94 southbound
• Travel south towards Route 206 for approximately 3 miles
• Turn left onto Route 206 southbound
• Travel south towards Route I-80 for approximately 14 miles
• Turn onto Route I-80 eastbound and travel approximately 8 miles
• Exit Route I-80 eastbound at exit 34 to north main street
• Travel north on north main street approximately ½ mile and rejoin Route 15 southbound

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