New Route 15 intersection with Route 46 opens
in Dover
New West Blackwell Street ramp opened also as ongoing project advances

(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced that the newly realigned Route 15 intersection with Route 46 in Dover, Morris County has been opened.

The existing, temporary Route 15 intersection with Route 46 was removed with traffic now utilizing the newly reconfigured intersection as of Thursday morning, August 11.

Route 15, which formerly ran beneath Route 46, now dead-ends on the south side of Route 46. On the north side, Route 15 has been elevated over the Morristown and Erie railroad tracks to create a signalized, at-grade intersection with Route 46. The new intersection is not yet in the final configuration, as dedicated turning lanes will be added.

Following the opening of the new intersection, NJDOT’s contractor, PKF-Mark III, is now implementing the next stage of construction on the center portion of Route 46 from east of the new intersection to Sussex Street. Route 46 eastbound will be shifted to the south with one lane maintained, as the new work zone is established between the eastbound and westbound highway.

Pequannock Street remains closed from north of Clinton Street to Route 46 during this stage of construction and the current Route 15 truck detour will remain in effect.

NJDOT has also opened the new connector ramp from West Blackwell Street to Route 46 westbound, which is located to the west of the Rockaway River. This ramp runs under the new bridge being built over the river.

The $54 million project is replacing two bridges along Route 46 - over the Rockaway River/NJ TRANSIT tracks and over the Morristown & Erie Railroad - widening and realigning a 0.6-mile stretch of Route 46 from Pequannock Street to Princeton Avenue, and installing left-turn lanes for northbound traffic on Pequannock and North Sussex streets turning onto Route 46 westbound. The project began in July 2008 and is scheduled for completion in early 2012.

Route 46 in Dover accommodates about 18,000 vehicles per day. NJDOT is utilizing Variable Message Signs in the area to inform motorists of traffic pattern changes. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information.