Official Site of The State of New Jersey

The interchanges are geometrically deficient and create a major bottleneck for vehicles traveling in either direction. Heavy traffic volume during peak periods, inadequate or nonexistent acceleration and deceleration lanes and shoulders lead to irregular driver maneuvers .

The project schedule is:

Construction Contract was awarded on October 29, 2015 with construction activities beginning in December 2015. Construction for Contract A is substantially complete in October 2019. Contract B is awarded and began Construction from February 2020. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) will continue to seek community input on the proposed transportation improvements for Contract B.

The estimated cost of entire project will be over $250 million in federal and state funds.

The map of the project shows the proposed improvements.

Route 46 from west of the interchange with Lower Notch Road in Little Falls and Woodland Park to Rock Hill Road in Clifton, and Route 3 from its interchange with Valley Road to Grove Street in Clifton will be affected.

No. Route 46, Route 3 and the various interchanges will be replaced, realigned and relocated. Additional acceleration/deceleration lanes and improved shoulders will be constructed as well as new on-ramps and off-ramps at the interchanges. These ramps will include exclusive left-turn lanes at the terminals. Traffic signals will also be provided and will have coordinated timing to provide an optimum level of service.

Noise studies were performed during Preliminary Design to determine existing conditions and the effects of proposed construction to determine if noise mitigation was warranted. During the Final Design phase, mitigation measures such as architectural enhancement screens, landscaping, etc. were discussed with local officials and residents. As part of the project improvements, five noise walls have been proposed to mitigate noise levels within Little Falls, Clifton and Woodland Park.

No. During construction traffic will be maintained to provide uninterrupted service in each direction during morning and evening peak hours.

NJDOT will use variable message signs, radio, traffic reports and its web site to alert motorists.

Risks including Utility, Blasting, Transit, and Local/Business cooperation. The department is continuously mitigating to minimize delays.

Environmental challenges that can influence the design include: wetlands, threatened and endangered species, noise and air quality, hazardous materials and socioeconomic considerations. A Categorical Exclusion Document was approved for the project and environmental permits have been received from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Based upon the Proposed Improvements Plan, several residential and commercial properties in all three municipalities were either partially or entirely acquired. For any relocations, NJDOT was responsible for paying for the cost of the move, the hiring of the mover and the finding of a new home for the property owner. The relocations were completed on a case-by-case basis.

Contract documents will require the construction contractor to conform to all federal and state laws and regulations. Further mitigation measures may be required for construction equipment, because of nearby residences.

Construction hours will be specified to minimize disruption to the local community. However, some night work that conforms to local ordinances may be required to minimize disruption to daily traffic and optimize the construction schedule.

Traffic flow will improve and fewer idling vehicles should decrease air pollution.

The safety of highway users is a paramount goal of NJDOT. This project is based on the need to improve safety conditions. Emergency access will be enhanced throughout much of the project corridor.

NJDOT recognizes that a project of this magnitude requires a carefully planned, designed and implemented construction traffic mitigation plan to provide safe traffic flow through the project area. Maintenance and Protection of Traffic (MPT) strategies have been developed for Contract A to accommodate the required construction operations and to manage work zone effects on transportation and transportation-dependent services and facilities. Motorists can expect the following traffic impacts during construction:

• Route 3 and Route 46 will remain open at all times; however, temporary lane closures will be required, and will be implemented in accordance with the Project's Allowable Lane Closure Schedule. In general, all lanes and shoulders must remain open during the morning peak and evening peak periods.
• Existing ramps will be generally open except for short duration and evening closures. When possible, temporary detours for ramp closures will occur during overnight hours when traffic volumes are less. The volume of traffic traveling the detour route will not much impact traffic operations.
• Local roadways will remain open to traffic during construction except for intermittent lane closures on Lower Notch Road and Valley Road.

The Contract B was awarded in late fall 2019 and construction activities began in February 2020.

Check this web site regularly for updated information and also attend Public Information Center meetings.

NJDOT encourages community members to voice their concerns and contribute suggestions to the Project Team. To provide input, attend one of the public meetings or contact: