South Main Street in Phillipsburg to reopen Thursday following $3.9M emergency bridge repairs

PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. (Warren County) — South Main Street in Phillipsburg is expected to reopen in both directions by 6 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, following the completion of a $3.9 million emergency bridge repair project, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

The reopening will restore normal traffic along South Main Street, including NJ TRANSIT bus routes 890 and 891, which have been detoured since the bridge closed in April.

The 116-year-old bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railroad spur was closed April 8 after a routine inspection and subsequent analysis revealed that structural steel components had deteriorated, compromising the bridge’s load-carrying capacity.

The closure affected South Main Street between Hudson Street and Hanover Street, disrupting traffic along a key route through downtown Phillipsburg.

“Ensuring the safety of everyone who travels on New Jersey’s roads and bridges is the Department’s highest priority, and the South Main Street Bridge project demonstrates what is possible when we act with urgency and work together toward a common goal,” NJDOT Commissioner Priya Jain said. “From the moment the bridge was closed, NJDOT teams collaborated closely with Senator Steinhardt, Mayor Piazza, Warren County officials, and our partners at Norfolk Southern to move the repairs forward as quickly and safely as possible. Their willingness to coordinate, share information, and remove obstacles allowed us to accelerate the work and reopen this critical connection. I want to thank all our partners for their responsiveness and commitment, as well as the residents and businesses of Phillipsburg for their patience and cooperation throughout this emergency repair effort. This project is a reminder that when state, local, and private partners work hand-in-hand, we can deliver results that keep our communities moving.”

The emergency repair project included replacing or strengthening steel girders and reinforcing existing steel columns supporting the bridge.

Crews also installed two supplemental steel columns to help reduce the load on the existing supports until the bridge can be fully replaced.

NJDOT said a complete bridge replacement project is in the early stages of design, with construction expected to begin in 2031.

While South Main Street was closed, NJDOT also completed concrete deck repairs on the adjacent truss bridge. The additional work was intended to address maintenance needs and reduce the likelihood of future traffic disruptions.

State Sen. Doug Steinhardt, R-Warren, said the reopening resulted from cooperation among state and local officials, construction workers and railroad partners.

“The reopening of South Main Street is a victory for Phillipsburg and a testament to what can be accomplished when everyone puts the community first. From the moment NJDOT notified us of the closure, we moved quickly to bring the right people together, remove obstacles, and pursue the fastest safe path to reopening this vital downtown artery,” Sen. Doug Steinhardt said. “I’m especially grateful to NJDOT Commissioner Priya Jain for her personal attention, collaboration, and commitment to making this a priority; Mayor Randy Piazza for his tireless advocacy; the hardworking men and women of the building and construction trades for their skilled labor; Delaware River Railroad Excursions for its immediate and steadfast cooperation; and Norfolk Southern for its assistance in moving this project forward. We all understood that South Main Street is more than a road, it’s a lifeline for Phillipsburg’s residents, businesses, and downtown economy. Representing this community in the State Senate is a privilege and helping bring people together to solve problems that matter is one of its greatest rewards.”

Phillipsburg Mayor Randy Piazza Jr. also welcomed the reopening, noting that the bridge, commonly known as the Black Bridge, is scheduled to reopen ahead of the annual Phillipsburg–Easton Halloween Parade.

“I want to sincerely thank NJDOT Commissioner Priya Jain and her entire team, along with Senator Doug Steinhardt, for their continued support, hard work, and commitment to reopening the Black Bridge. I also want to recognize our local partners, downtown business owners, Norfolk Southern, and everyone who worked together to help move this project forward,” Phillipsburg Mayor Randy Piazza Jr. said. “This bridge is a vital connection for our residents, businesses, and downtown community, and we are truly grateful for the patience, collaboration, and dedication shown throughout this process. Reopening just in time for our annual Phillipsburg–Easton Halloween Parade makes this milestone even more special.”

According to NJDOT, South Main Street is expected to reopen to traffic in both directions by 6 a.m. Thursday, restoring access for motorists and NJ TRANSIT buses after more than six months of closures.