Route 15 northbound overnight lane closures tonight as the Bridges over Main Street replacement project advances in Sparta

Overnight lane closure necessary for traffic shift

(Trenton) -New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced an overnight lane closure on Route 15 northbound to implement a traffic shift as the Bridges over Main Street replacement project advances in Sparta, Sussex County.  This work was previously scheduled for last week, but was rescheduled due to inclement weather. 

Beginning at 8 p.m. tonight, August 23, NJDOT’s contractor, Sparwick Contracting, will close the right lane on the northbound bridge to restripe the roadway and install construction drums in preparation for a traffic shift.  By 6 a.m., Saturday, August 24, the left lane will be closed with two lanes of northbound traffic using the right side of the bridge and a portion of the existing exit ramp.  At least one lane of traffic will be maintained overnight, and the exit ramp will remain open overnight. 

During this stage of the $4.1 million federally-funded project, the left side of the northbound bridge will be demolished and replaced.  Following this stage, the contractor will shift traffic onto to the newly reconstructed left side of the bridge to facilitate construction on the right side of the roadway. The entire replacement project is expected to be complete by fall 2020.

The existing Route 15 Bridges are in poor condition, requiring deck and superstructure replacement. The project is designed to advance in stages to minimize disruption to residents.  Both bridges will be worked on simultaneously, and at least one lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained during construction.   

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 follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info or on the NJDOT Facebook page.            

Please note, the NJDOT Communications Office has a new phone number – 609-963-1975.