When will Route 15 reopen? New state website tracks repairs, detours
Travelers and residents dealing with the headaches of the Route 15 South shutdown can now get updates on the emergency repairs and local traffic changes.
The state Department of Transportation launched a website this week to track progress on efforts toward reopening the highway, as well as initiatives to alleviate the big traffic delays that have resulted.
Ten days after the Route 15 South bridge over the Rockaway River was abruptly closed due to safety concerns, the department says it has "developed an aggressive plan to construct a temporary bridge" by July 19.
Updates on Route 15 bridge repairs
Construction is currently underway. Temporary traffic signals at three locations are in-progress and expected to be complete on Friday, June 14, according to the state website. Work on the foundation for the temporary span is also underway, with an anticipated completion by June 21, the state says.
While the temporary bridge is being developed, the state's original plan for an $11.6 million permanent replacement of the bridge will continue. "It will feature 12-foot-wide travel lanes, 10-foot wide inside and outside shoulders, and sidewalks on both sides of the bridge," according to the DOT. Construction of the project started in August 2022 and is expected to be completed in late 2025.
New Route 15 truck detour coming
The state said it's also working on a new detour for trucks to ease some of the pressure on local roads while the bridge is closed. The department said it will soon deploy signage and message panels.
For trucks, headed to Route 80, it recommended taking the Route 15 southbound exit to Route 181 southbound, then taking Espanong Road to Minnisink Road to Berkshire Valley Road.
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For now, the NJDOT says motorists will be redirected through this detour:
Take the ramp to Edison Road, which is approximately two miles north of the closed bridge
Continue on Edison Road/CR 615
Turn left onto Espanong Road/CR 615, and bear left onto Minnisink Road
Turn left onto Berkshire Valley Road
Take the ramp for Route 15 southbound
To track the bridge repairs and get traffic updates, visit the Route 15 Southbound Temporary Bridge Installation website via nj.gov. Email: [email protected]
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Route 15 NJ closed: Website to track repairs progress, detours