NJDOT imposes weight restriction on Route 46 bridge over NJ TRANSIT and the Rockaway River in Dover

(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced a weight restriction prohibiting all trucks weighing 10 tons or more from the Route 46 bridge over the NJ TRANSIT rail line and the Rockaway River in the Town of Dover, Morris County. The weight restriction took effect today and will remain in place through project completion.

The Department has determined that the weight restriction is necessary to preserve the safety and structural integrity of the bridge at this time. NJDOT will employ variable message signs on Route 46 and I-80 in both directions to alert motorists of the truck restrictions and the following detours:

• Route 46 eastbound trucks will take Howard Boulevard (CR 615) north to I-80 eastbound to Mount Hope Avenue (Exit 35) south to Route 46.

• Route 46 westbound trucks will take Mount Hope Avenue north to I-80 westbound to Howard Boulevard (Exit 30) south to Route 46.

The bridge is being monitored daily and should any further impact to the structure be detected, full closure of the bridge will be necessary to ensure public safety. Further, full closure will likely be needed to ensure safety when heavy construction resumes later this spring. NJDOT is committed to work with local officials and stakeholders on all issues related to the project and notifications will be provided to the public accordingly. NJDOT anticipates partially opening the new span to traffic by the end of the year.

The 80 year-old bridge carries approximately 18,000 vehicles each day.

The bridge replacement work is part of a $39 million project that began in July 2008 and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2011. NJDOT is also replacing the existing Route 46 bridge over the Morristown & Erie rail line as part of the project. The project will also widen and realign a 0.6 mile segment of Route 46 from Pequannock Street to Princeton Avenue. A new direct connection between Route 46 and Route 15 via a new at-grade signalized intersection has been provided.

Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org real-time travel information.