Say Goodbye, Netcong Circle

While it's not in Hopatcong, many borough residents regularly battle the Netcong Circle. But soon it'll be a distant memory.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation on Wednesday said a $12.9 million project set to begin this week will eliminate the 80-year-old headache, where routes 46 and 183 converge in Netcong. In its place will be a signalized intersection.

Single-lane closures will be allowed over night and off-peak hours, the DOT said. The project will end near the end of 2013.

Read below for more information from the DOT.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced that construction is set to begin on a project that will eliminate the 80-year old Netcong Circle, where routes 46 and 183 converge in Netcong Borough.  The two highways will be realigned to replace the out-dated traffic configuration with a new signalized intersection.  

The $12.9 million federally-funded project will also replace the existing, structurally deficient Route 183 bridge deck over NJ TRANSIT Morristown Line railroad tracks and remove the Route 46 westbound bridge over Route 183.

“This project is addressing key priorities in terms of congestion relief and infrastructure improvements while creating a safer and easier connection between these two highways,” said Commissioner James Simpson. 

NJDOT’s contractor, New Prince Construction, is scheduled to begin preliminary construction set up and install advance signage this week.  The work will take place off of the mainline highways with no impact to traffic.  Following that, utility relocation work will begin along both highways, with single lane closures allowed during overnight and off-peak hours.

NJDOT plans to close and detour Route 183 at the bridge for demolition and replacement operations, which will take place further into the construction schedule.  NJDOT will provide notification to the public in advance of that closure.

Realigning the highways into a four-legged, at-grade intersection will nullify the need for the existing Route 46 westbound bridge over Route 183 southbound, so that structure will be demolished.  Routes 183 and 46 will be widened through the project limits to include new dedicated turning lanes and acceleration/deceleration lanes for improved safety and access.  New sidewalks and guide rail will be constructed along both highways and drainage improvements will be made. 

While single-lane closures will be allowed during nighttime and off-peak hours, one travel-lane on Route 46 will be maintained in each direction throughout construction. 

Just to the west of this location, NJDOT completed a $2.8 million project to upgrade the Route 46 intersection with Main Street and the at-grade railroad crossing in Netcong in 2010. 

NJDOT has coordinated with Netcong officials throughout the design process.  Variable message signs will notify motorists of upcoming traffic pattern changes.  The project is expected to be complete by the end of 2013.   

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. NJDOT provides emergency roadway information, construction schedule updates and real time traffic information and images at www.511nj.org