*UPDATE – June 7, 2024*

New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced plans to install a temporary bridge structure on Route 15 southbound over Rockaway River to restore two lanes of traffic while work continues to replace the 124-year-old bridge in Jefferson Township.

Delivery and installation will be on an accelerated schedule and is expected to be complete and open to traffic in six weeks, subject to delays due to weather or unforeseen factors.

 

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*UPDATE – June 6, 2024*

77 WABC speaks with Jefferson Township Mayor Eric Wilsusen about the traffic nightmare on Route 15 South. Click the play button below to listen to the conversation.

 

 

News 12’s Amanda Eustice reports on the bridge closure and speaks with Mayor Eric Wilsusen and other local business owners. Click play below to watch the report.

 

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PRESS RELEASE

June 4, 2024

Route 15 southbound to be closed this afternoon as bridge replacement project advances in Jefferson Township, Morris County

Traffic to be detoured during construction

(Trenton) – Route 15 southbound is scheduled to be closed and detoured beginning this afternoon as the Bridge over Rockaway River replacement project advances in Jefferson Township, Morris County.

This afternoon, Tuesday, June 4, Route 15 southbound is scheduled to be closed on the Bridge over Rockaway River. The following detour will be in place:

Route 15 southbound Bridge over Rockaway River Detour:

• Motorists on Route 15 southbound wishing to take the bridge over Rockaway River will be directed to take the ramp to Edison Road/Lake Hopatcong/Mount Arlington/U and Left Turns, which is approximately two miles north of the bridge
• Continue on Edison Road/CR 615
• Turn left onto Espanong Road/CR 615, which becomes Minnisink Road
• Turn left onto Berkshire Valley Road
• Take the ramp for Route 15 southbound

The $11.6 million project will replace the Route 15 southbound Bridge over the Rockaway River. The new bridge will be a single-span concrete box beam structure with two 12-foot-wide travel lanes, 10-foot-wide inside and outside shoulders, and sidewalks on both sides of the bridge. The new bridge will improve the roadway geometry and improve sight distance. The project will advance in stages to ease impact on motorists. NJDOT will provide advance notice of any lane or ramp closures.

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. For NJDOT news follow us on X (Twitter) @NewJerseyDOT and our Facebook page.

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