Connection Lost: Rt. 46 Between Washington Twp., Hackettstown to Shut For 10 Days

Warning signs have been established as far away as Rt. 80 in Rockaway, and news stories have been published for months.

If motorists aren’t prepared for the 10-day road closure bridging Morris and Warren counties yet, they never will be.

The replacement of the Route 46 bridge of the Musconetcong River, connecting Washington Township and Hackettstown, began in mid-June. At that time, local authorities warned motorists that in two-months time, the road would be completely closed for a 10-day stretch.

That time has come.

Beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, the bridge will be closed completely to all traffic in both directions for approximately 10 days, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The bridge is expected to reopen on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Until then, one lane of alternating travel is being used and moderated by flagmen.

Motorists heading east on Rt. 46 from Hackettstown will be directed to travel down Mountain Avenue (Rt. 182) and onto East Avenue as a detour. Motorists traveling west from Washington Township and Mt. Olive will be directed onto East Avenue – long known for its rush hour congestion – and then onto Mountain Avenue to reach Hackettstown.

Once the closure is complete, one lane of travel will be reopened to motorists, the DOT said.

The entire cost of the project comes in at $3.4 million, which is federally funded. The bridge will have 15-foot wide travel lanes in each direction and a sidewalk provided along the southern side with aluminum railing.

The closure began just days before – and is currently ongoing simultaneously – the Newburgh Road Bridge closure connecting Washington Township and Mansfield Township. In that case, the entire roadway has been shut to non-local traffic and is expected to stay that way until early 2015.