Thank you to the residents who recently came out to ask questions and voice their thoughts on the proposed construction to the Squirrelwood Road Bridge over Interstate 80.

The Department of Transportation presentation at the Municipal Building was extremely informative. They will be back for future meetings prior to the construction phase. The project is anticipated to start in the fall of 2022 with a spring of 2024 completion.

The bridge suffers from geometric deficiencies, safety issues and is in poor condition. The proposed restructure will address safety and operational issues. Existing abutments will be reconstructed to replace deteriorated concrete. The new roadway section will include one 16-foot lane and a five-foot sidewalk in each direction.

Plans will require a traffic detour for about one year. Southbound traffic (from Paterson to Woodland Park) will be maintained. Traffic traveling north on Squirrelwood Road and traffic from I-80 east, Exit 56B, is expected to be detoured. The detour route is expected to be via I-80 east to Route 19 and back to I-80 west. The length of this detour route is about 3 miles.

Pedestrian traffic will be maintained during construction.

Anyone with questions or concerns can contact Anthony Sytko at the Department of Transportation at 609-963-1992 or Anthony.Sytko@dot.nj.gov.