Major Bridge Repairs To Cause Traffic Shift In Montclair: NJDOT

MONTCLAIR, NJ — New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials announced Thursday that an overnight lane closure will take place on Bloomfield Avenue with an alternating traffic pattern as the Bloomfield Avenue/CR 506 Bridge over NJ Transit project advances in Montclair.

According to a NJDOT news release:

“Beginning at 9 p.m., Thursday, March 14, until 5 a.m., the next day, NJDOT’s contractor IEW Construction Group Inc., is scheduled to close lanes and alternate eastbound and westbound traffic on Bloomfield Avenue eastbound for a project stage change. Two flagmen will be on location to direct the traffic flow. During this stage, one lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction on the eastbound side of the road to allow for the demolition and reconstruction of the bridge deck and abutment on the westbound side. This traffic pattern will remain in effect until the summer. Upon completion of this stage, traffic will be shifted onto the newly reconstructed westbound lanes to allow work to be done on the eastbound side.”

According to the NJDOT, the $11.7 million, state-funded Bloomfield Avenue Bridge rehabilitation project will replace the bridge superstructure, which is in poor condition, located on Bloomfield Avenue/CR506 over NJ Transit’s Montclair Rail Line near Maple Avenue. The project will be replacing the existing superstructure and will make necessary repairs to address the integrity of the substructure, including repairs to the existing wing walls. In addition, the bridge parapets and approach slabs will be repaired or replaced as needed. The four-lane bridge consists of two lanes and a pedestrian sidewalk in each direction.

Construction on the bridge is expected to be completed by summer 2020, officials said.

NJDOT officials stated:

“The project will be advanced in stages in order to minimize impacts to motorists. A temporary shuttle will be provided to accommodate pedestrians during necessary sidewalk closures on the bridge. The department will coordinate with NJ Transit and local authorities in advance of any required closures resulting from the construction project. The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT's traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information.”

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