DENVILLE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — The New Jersey Department of Transportation and Morris County will hold a virtual public meeting Tuesday, Nov. 17, to present plans to replace the more than 120-year-old Openaki Road bridge over Den Brook and reconstruct the adjacent dam and spillway at Openaki Lake.
The meeting, scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m., will provide residents with information about the preliminary preferred alternative for replacing the existing single-lane bridge, which was built in 1903.
Under the proposed project, the existing bridge would be replaced with a new 30-foot-wide, two-lane, single-span structure designed to accommodate traffic more safely and align with the wider approaches along Openaki Road.
The project also includes reconstruction of the adjacent dam and spillway at Openaki Lake, also known as Openaka Lake, to address existing deficiencies.
According to county officials, the dam has been in a temporary breach condition since 2023 after previously receiving an unsatisfactory rating from the New Jersey Bureau of Dam Safety.
The water level in the adjacent lake will remain lowered while the project team finalizes the replacement design.
Officials said the goal is to provide a safe and reliable bridge, dam and traffic configuration that meets current standards.
Virtual meeting and public comment period
The Nov. 17 meeting will be conducted virtually and is open to all members of the public. Residents interested in attending can register online for the meeting.
The meeting will be recorded, and the recording and accompanying slide presentation will be available on the Morris County website from Nov. 18 through Dec. 9.
Residents can review the proposed bridge design, submit questions and provide feedback through the county’s online Public Information Center.
Project information and meeting materials will be available on the Morris County Engineering and Transportation Reports and Projects webpage.
The public is also invited to submit written comments on the proposed project through Thursday, Jan. 7, 2027.
Comments may be emailed to mpaccione@co.morris.nj.us or mailed to:
Meghan M. Paccione, Principal Engineer
County of Morris Department of Public Works
Division of Engineering and Transportation
P.O. Box 900
Morristown, NJ 07960-0900
Residents with questions may also contact Paccione at 973-829-8623.
Additional details about the meeting are available in the county’s public information meeting flyer.
