Route 46 traffic to be shifted as Passaic Ave. to Willowbrook Mall project advances in Essex and Passaic Counties

Route 46 to be widened and eastbound bridge over Passaic River to be replaced

(Trenton) - New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced a traffic shift as the Route 46 at Passaic Avenue to Willowbrook Mall infrastructure enhancement and congestion relief project between Fairfield, Essex County and Wayne, Passaic County advances.

Beginning at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, April 10, until 2:30 p.m. the same day, and continuing each weekday, Tuesday through Friday, April 12 during those hours, NJDOT’s contractor, Anselmi & DeCicco, Inc., is scheduled to close lanes alternating between eastbound and westbound as well as  the westbound shoulder on Route 46 to shift traffic allowing for restriping.

On Thursday, April 11, from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m., the next day, NJDOT’s contractor, Anselmi & DeCicco, Inc., is scheduled to close one lane on Route 46 westbound and shift traffic to restripe the roadway. Two travel lanes will be open in both directions, with reduced width, by 6 a.m. Saturday. The eastbound lane restriping is already completed. This configuration will be in place for approximately 18 months.

The lane reduction will allow for the installation of a construction barrier for continued center median work including drainage, multiple utilities and bridge. Utility work will continue Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., for several weeks.

The $40 million federally-funded Route 46 Bridge over the Passaic River to Willowbrook Mall project will replace the existing eastbound bridge and widen Route 46 in both directions from two lanes to three lanes in each direction to enhance safety and ease traffic congestion. Four new overhead sign structures will be built. The project will be completed in three stages with some construction activities being performed at night to reduce the impact to the public. The project is expected to be completed in late 2022.

Portable variable message signs are being utilized to provide advance notification to the motoring public of all traffic pattern changes associated with the work. 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 and for NJDOT news and updates follow us on the NJDOT Facebook page or on Twitter @NJDOT_info.