NJDOT announces Route 46 closure
to install pedestrian bridge over Route 46 in Denville

(Trenton) – The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced upcoming closures on Route 46 associated with the installation of the new pedestrian bridge over Route 46 at Franklin Road in Denville Township, Morris County.

“The Route 46 pedestrian bridge reflects the State of New Jersey’s dedication to improving pedestrian safety,” said Commissioner Stephen Dilts. “This project will greatly improve safety by separating pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and will encourage residents to walk rather than drive.”

In order to build the overpass, NJDOT will close the right lane of Route 46 westbound at milepost 42.7 in Denville between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, Thursday, February 12, and Friday, February 13. Two travel lanes will be maintained on Route 46 westbound except during overnight hours.

On Friday night, February 13, NJDOT will close and detour Route 46 westbound from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as the contractor installs the new pedestrian overpass structure over Route 46. Route 46 will be fully closed and detoured for a fifteen minute interval after midnight, in order to install the overpass. During the full closure, Route 46 westbound traffic will be detoured to Savage Road, to Franklin Road, and back to Route 46 westbound.

The $4.3 million overpass will provide a pedestrian walkway across Route 46 at Franklin Road. This intersection has high traffic volume and lacks shoulders, which renders the roadway inaccessible to pedestrians. The new, 170-foot pedestrian bridge will provide safe access to and from the local residential areas to Riverview Elementary School and to Gardner Park. In addition, the overpass will include ramps that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and auxiliary stairways. The project started in August 2008 and is scheduled to be complete in October 2009.

Motorists are encouraged to check www.511nj.org for traffic updates on Route 46 and other area roadways.