I-80 ramp to Squirrelwood Road slated for improvements
(Trenton) –Commissioner Kris Kolluri today announced that on Monday, June 4, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) will begin a $1.3 million project to improve the existing I-80 ramp onto Squirrelwood Road in the cities of Paterson and West Paterson, Passaic County
“This project will greatly benefit motorists by easing congestion and improving safety on Route 80 in Passaic County,” said Commissioner Kolluri. “NJDOT will continue to work closely with local officials, who provided critical input by bringing the ramp’s need for improvement to NJDOT’s attention.”
This project resulted from a problem statement that Paterson and West Paterson officials, who were concerned about traffic congestion on I-80, sent to NJDOT. In response to the problem statement, NJDOT is widening the I-80 exit ramp to accommodate the projected increased motorists usage. The new ramp will feature two travel lanes, providing one lane for the right-turn movement and a separate lane for left turns. The deceleration lane will be lengthened as well.
The reconstruction will begin on Monday, June 4 and is scheduled to be complete by mid-November 2007. The project will require minor traffic shifts on the existing ramp. Starting in early fall, the right turn slot is scheduled to be closed. Motorists will be routed into the left-turn lane, which will be equipped to handle two lanes of traffic.
NJDOT will install Variable Message Signs (VMS) on I-80 to inform motorists of any change in traffic patterns during operations. Real time travel and construction information is available online at www.njcommuter.com
