Public meeting set for Berkshire Valley Road truck circulation project
Public Invited to Participate in March 15 Virtual Meeting
ROXBURY TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – Morris County and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) will hold a final virtual public meeting this month for the Berkshire Valley Road Truck Circulation Project in Roxbury Township, a plan to raise the height of the Chester Branch Railroad trestle over Berkshire Valley Road and improve the Dell Avenue intersection.
“This is the first step in the capital project delivery process, and it will allow us to seek federal funding for future phases of work, including design, permitting and construction. Maintaining rail service and improving truck access to this area is critical for economic growth and quality of life in Roxbury Township and Morris County,” stated Morris County Commissioner Stephen Shaw, member of the NJTPA Board of Trustees.
The findings and recommendations of the study will be outlined at a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, March 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Chester Branch Railroad bridge, which has an 11-feet-5-inch clearance over Berkshire Valley Road, has been the scene of many truck collisions despite advance warning signs and postings on the bridge.
One of the major crashes occurred on July 13, 2021, when the bridge was struck and damaged by a dump truck, forcing the closure of Berkshire Valley Road and the railroad line, and delaying rail and vehicle traffic in the area.
The NJTPA study kicked off in early 2021 to develop and evaluate potential options to eliminate the height restriction that the Chester Branch rail bridge creates on Berkshire Valley Road (County Route 642) in Roxbury Township and improve traffic flow in the area.
The meeting is an opportunity for the public, residents along the roads and business owners to learn more about the project and provide comment on study recommendations. Presentations will be held at 6:30 p.m. and at 7:15 p.m. Participants will be able to ask questions and share any concerns with the project team.
The NJTPA is managing and funding this study through its Freight Concept Development Program. Preferred alternatives for improving the bridge and intersection will be selected at the conclusion of the study, which will allow for these projects to be eligible for grant funding opportunities for design and construction.
To visit the project website and to attend the virtual meeting, click here.
Comments on the project may be emailed to Jakub Rowinski, NJTPA Project Manager at jrowinski@njtpa.org.
