PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. (Warren County) — The Black Bridge on South Main Street in Phillipsburg is expected to reopen to vehicular traffic on or around Friday, Oct. 23, following more than six months of closures and emergency repairs, town officials announced.
The anticipated reopening comes just ahead of the Phillipsburg-Easton Halloween Parade, providing relief to motorists, downtown businesses and the community after months of detours and traffic disruptions.
According to the town, the bridge will reopen to vehicles, but sidewalks will remain temporarily closed while crews complete improvements necessary to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The reopening remains contingent on final construction activities and safety requirements, and officials said additional updates will be provided if the schedule or access arrangements change.
The bridge has been closed to vehicles since April 8, when a section of South Main Street between Hudson and Hanover streets was shut down for emergency repairs to a bridge spanning a Norfolk Southern Railroad spur.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation determined during an inspection that the bridge had severe structural concerns, with its structural and load rating determined to be zero. The concrete bridge is located near the black truss bridge that spans NJ Transit tracks.
State officials initially outlined a phased repair plan that included temporary work to restore limited vehicle access, followed by longer-term structural improvements.
In late April, officials projected that the bridge could reopen to limited traffic by early July, with one lane in each direction, depending on coordination with Norfolk Southern and the progress of repairs.
However, the closure continued as state transportation officials worked through railroad access agreements, inspections and construction preparations.
In a May 29 update, state Sen. Doug Steinhardt said NJDOT had completed negotiations for access agreements with the railroad and ordered materials for the project. Additional inspections were being conducted to determine whether the materials would be sufficient for the initial phase of repairs.
The extended closure has affected daily commutes, access to downtown Phillipsburg and local businesses, prompting concerns about the economic impact on the community.
Town officials said the anticipated reopening represents an important milestone in restoring access along the South Main Street corridor.
The town thanked Steinhardt, U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr., NJDOT Commissioner Priya Jain and department staff for their involvement in advancing the project. Officials also acknowledged Norfolk Southern, construction crews and contractors for their work.
Mayor Randy S. Piazza and town officials additionally expressed appreciation to local business owner Chris Cotty, downtown businesses and the public for their patience during the extended closure.
The anticipated reopening is expected to improve access ahead of the annual Phillipsburg-Easton Halloween Parade, which brings together communities on both sides of the Delaware River.
Town officials emphasized that the reopening date is tentative and remains subject to completion of the remaining construction work and safety requirements.
The town will provide further updates if the anticipated Oct. 23 reopening date or traffic arrangements change.
