Temporary traffic stoppages planned Friday night on Howard Boulevard in Mount Arlington
MOUNT ARLINGTON BOROUGH, N.J. (Morris County) — Motorists traveling on Howard Boulevard in Morris County should expect temporary traffic stoppages Friday night as work continues on the Interstate 80 bridge replacement project, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).
Beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, through 6 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, temporary traffic stoppages are scheduled in both directions on Howard Boulevard between the I-80 bridges and just beyond the intersection with the Mount Arlington Train Station.
The work will involve restriping the roadway, shifting traffic and activating new traffic signals at the intersection. New Jersey State Police will assist with the traffic stoppages.
At least one lane is expected to remain open in each direction. However, NJDOT said a southbound detour may be necessary to accommodate the work and improve safety for motorists and construction crews.
If the detour is implemented, motorists traveling southbound on Howard Boulevard will be directed to take the ramp to I-80 westbound and use Exit 28 toward Route 46 East, Route 10, Ledgewood and Lake Hopatcong.
Drivers will then follow the ramp toward Lake Rogerene, Lake Hopatcong East Shore and the U-turn, turn left onto Shippenport Road and stay right to access the ramp toward Route 46 East and Route 10.
Motorists will continue along Landing Road, also known as County Route 631, which becomes Route 46, before turning left where Route 46 intersects Route 10 to return to Howard Boulevard and Commerce Boulevard.
All lanes on Howard Boulevard are expected to reopen by 6 a.m. Saturday with a new traffic pattern in place.
Under the new configuration, northbound traffic will shift right toward the shoulder, while southbound traffic will shift left toward the northbound side of Howard Boulevard.
The temporary traffic pattern is expected to remain in place through December 2026 to allow crews to complete intersection improvements.
The work is part of a $65.4 million federally funded project to replace the bridges carrying I-80 eastbound and westbound over Howard Boulevard, also known as County Route 516.
According to NJDOT, the existing bridges are in poor condition and will be replaced with structures providing greater vertical clearance and wider shoulders.
The project also includes lengthening acceleration and deceleration lanes on I-80, widening entrance and exit ramps and reconfiguring the Howard Boulevard intersection to improve traffic operations.
Additional improvements include upgraded traffic signals and lighting, sidewalks and crosswalks compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and extended sidewalks connecting to the Mount Arlington Train Station to improve pedestrian and bicycle access.
The project is expected to be completed in summer 2027.
NJDOT said the timing of the work may change due to weather or other factors.
Motorists are encouraged to visit www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time traffic information.
