Department of Transportation

Final Design

The Final Design for the Route 280, Route 21 Interchange Improvements Project began in January 2013 and concluded in Spring 2015. As with the previous phases for the project, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) coordinated with the local community and the traveling public during the Final Design.

The purpose of this phase was to produce the project's construction contract documents for use in soliciting bids from prospective contractors and to move the project to the Construction Phase. Final Design included the following major elements:

  • Continued advancement and completion of engineering design tasks initiated during the Interim Preliminary Design Phase;
  • Project Contract Documents (Plans, Specifications, Construction Schedule and Construction Cost Estimate) to obtain bids from prospective contractors;
  • Environmental reevaluations, permits and clearances;
  • Executed utility relocation agreements;
  • Right of Way acquisition;
  • Access Design Agreements executed with property owners whose driveways are affected by the project;
  • Executed Jurisdictional Agreements with the City of Newark;
  • Continued community outreach
Right of Way (ROW):
  • A total of five properties require full or partial acquisitions and/or easements. Of these properties, one of them is residential with partial property acquisition minimized to the extent practicable. No residential displacements are required for the selected alternative. One full commercial acquisition, consisting of two properties known as Penn Auto, is required for this selected alternative. ROW negotiations/acquisitions are in progress and scheduled to be completed by early 2015.
  • Given the dense urban and historical nature of the project area, right of way considerations were prioritized during the Concept Development phase to minimize right of way acquisitions.
Permits
Below is a list and description of permits necessary for the completion of this project. Permit applications are currently being prepared.
Permit Description
United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 404 Nationwide Permit This USACE permit is required for the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands. A Section 404 Nationwide Permit will be prepared to outline the approximate impacts to waters under federal jurisdiction.
USACE Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act Permit This Act requires authorization from the USACE for the construction of any structure in or over any navigable water of the United States, the excavation/dredging or deposition of material in these waters or any obstruction or alteration in a navigable water. This permit is granted concurrently with the Section 404 permit.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Section 401 Water Quality Certification Coordination will be conducted through NJDEP as part of the freshwater wetland approval process.
NJDEP Freshwater Wetlands Permit This State permit is required prior to engaging in a regulated activity in and around State open waters, freshwater wetlands and associated transition areas.
NJDEP Individual Waterfront Development Permit This permit is required for development at or below the mean high water line in tidal waters of the State and extends from the mean high water line to the first paved road, railroad or surveyable property line. At a minimum, the zone extends at least 100 feet, but no more than 500 feet, inland from the tidal water body.
NJDEP Tidelands Conveyance (Riparian Grant) Tidelands grants, leases and/or licenses are required for the use of State-owned riparian lands, which are lands presently, or formerly, covered by the mean high tide.
NJDEP Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit This permit is required by NJDEP for the discharge of wastewater associated with the proposed project, such as construction dewatering.
NJDEP Treatment Works Approval NJDEP requires a permit for the construction of domestic wastewater collection, conveyance and treatment facilities, including treatment plants, pumping stations, interceptors, sewer mains and other collection, holding and conveyance systems to ensure that wastes are properly collected, conveyed and treated before discharge to the waters of the State.
Project schedule

This is the current project schedule. Please note that the schedule may change based on funding, right of way availability, or permitting issues during final design and construction.
Feasibility Assessment phase Completed April 2011
Environmental Document approval Completed August 2011
Interim Preliminary Design phase Completed December 2012
Final Design phase Completed Spring 2015
Complete design and ROW availability January 2015
Construction phase(s) 2015 - 2018


Last updated date: October 21, 2020 3:55 PM