2 Montclair Railroad Crossings Will See Closures For Construction, Traffic Delays Expected

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Construction work is scheduled to start at two Montclair railroad crossings in late August.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation and NJ Transit will be carrying out railroad grade crossing rehabilitation work at two crossings: Bellevue Avenue, and Laurel Place.

According to a municipal advisory, construction is expected to include removal and replacement of the existing rails, excavation, installation of concrete crossing panels and paving. Work hours are anticipated to be 6 a.m. until dark on weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.

NJ Transit service will continue, but may operate on different tracks.

Drivers should anticipate delays in the area, follow all posted detours and traffic-control signage, and allow additional travel time, the township said.

CLOSURES PLANNED

The work will require temporary roadway closures at both railroad crossings. Here’s what local commuters should know:

Bellevue Avenue Railroad Crossing

• Closure: Thursday, Aug. 20 through Thursday, Aug. 27
• Bellevue Avenue will be closed at the railroad crossing.
• The detour will direct motorists via Valley Road, Lorraine Avenue and North Mountain Avenue back to Bellevue Avenue. The detour will accommodate traffic in both directions.
• Local access will be maintained on Bellevue Avenue up to the railroad crossing. Hard closures will be in place near the tracks while maintaining access to existing driveways.
• Montclair police officers will be stationed on both sides of the crossing to assist with traffic.

Laurel Place Railroad Crossing

• Closure: Thursday, Aug. 27 through Thursday, Sept. 3
• Laurel Place will be closed at the railroad crossing.
• Westbound traffic will be detoured via Jerome Place and/or Mount Hebron Road to Upper Mountain Avenue.
• A Montclair police officer will assist with traffic on the east side of the crossing during the first two days of the closure.

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