UPDATE: Salem Hill Partially Reopened, Howell Officials Say

HOWELL, NJ -- (Updated 10 p.m. Monday) The contractor has made substantial progress on the construction work at Salem Hill Road and as a result, the eastbound lanes are now open, Howell officials said Monday evening.

The westbound lanes remain closed until further notice, officials said. The jughandle from Route 9 north to Salem Hill Road has been open but will close again Tuesday morning when construction resumes, they said.

Access to Candlewood Commons from Route 9 via Salem Hill Road eastbound had been restored, they said.

(Monday morning) Township residents who travel Salem Hill Road will be faced with detours in the area of Longview Road this week while drainage work is completed, Howell officials said.

The closure primarily affects residents of Candlewood, Salem Hill and Windmill Club developments.

A letter from the township Department of Community Development and Land Use said the closure of Salem Hill Road between Longview Road and Route 9 is to allow for underground drainage pipes to be replaced, part of a project to add a third turning lane on Salem Hill Road at Route 9.

Once complete, there will be three lanes approaching Route 9. The left lane will be left-turn only, the middle for continuing straight across Route 9, and the right for right turns only, the letter said.

Salem Hill Road will be closed in both directions while the work is completed. The eastbound lanes are expected to reopen Tuesday afternoon, but westbound may remain closed until Friday, depending on the weather, officials said.

All vehicles should take Salem Hill to Aldrich Road to Route 9. No through traffic will be permitted to use the St. Veronica’s parking lot; this will be enforced by police, officials said. Access to Candlewood Commons will be from the Longview-Salem Hill intersection, officials said.