Route 15 southbound to be closed and detoured tonight as Weldon Road Bridge work continues in Jefferson Township

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials Friday announced Route 15 southbound is scheduled to be closed and detoured tonight as work on the Weldon Road Bridge over Route 15 continues in Jefferson Township.

Beginning at 10:00 p.m. on February 19 until 4:00 a.m. Saturday, February 20, NJDOT’s contractor, Mount Construction, will close and detour Route 15 southbound at the exit ramp to Route 181 just past Mile Post 7.6. The closure is necessary to complete the installation of shielding under the bridge. The following detour will be in place overnight:

Route 15 southbound detour:
• Motorists on Route 15 southbound will be directed to take the exit for Route 181, just past Mile
Post 7.6
• Turn left at the stop sign onto Route 181 south/Woodport Road
• Turn right onto Espanong Road
• Turn left onto Edison Road/CR615
• Take the ramp to Route 15 south

The installation of shielding is related to the emergency closure of the Weldon Road Bridge over Route 15. The bridge was closed on December 20 because of cracks in two beams. At the time of the bridge closure, Route 15 southbound was closed as well. The left lane on Route 15 southbound was reopened on December 23.

Over the following two weekends, Route 15 southbound is scheduled to be closed and detoured to allow for the demolition of a portion of the bridge over Route 15 southbound. The first weekend will include the removal of a section of the bridge deck, and the second weekend will include the removal of two cracked girders and two adjacent girders. NJDOT will provide advanced notification before the closures.

Once the demolition of the damaged portion of the bridge is complete, all lanes on Route 15 southbound will be reopened. In addition, NJDOT will continue to evaluate the stability of the remaining portion of the bridge that carries Weldon Road west/Espanong Road east over Route 15. If the bridge is deemed safe, the bridge will reopen with one lane of traffic in each direction. The ramp from Weldon Road west to Route 15 south also will be reopened.

A long-term repair is in the process of being designed. The following detours will remain in place until further notice:

Route 15 southbound to Weldon Road east detour:
• Motorists on Route 15 southbound wishing to exit at Weldon Road will be directed to continue on
Route 15 south
• Go through the traffic signal at Edison Road and take the U-turn exit just past the fire station
• Bear right onto Edison Road
• Go straight to cross Route 15
• At the next traffic signal, turn left onto Route 15 north
• Take the Weldon Road exit

Route 15 northbound to Route 181 north/Espanong Road west detour:
• Motorists on Route 15 northbound wishing to take the exit for Route 181 north/Espanong Road
west will be directed to continue on Route 15 north
• Take the exit for Route 181
• Stay right following signs for Sparta/Lake Mohawk/Business District
• Turn left onto Route 181 south/Woodport Road
• Turn right onto Espanong Road

Weldon Road West to Route 15 south detour
• Motorists on Weldon Road west wishing to take the ramp to Route 15 southbound will be directed
to take the ramp for Route 15 north, which is before the ramp to Route 15 south
• Take Route 15 north to the next exit for Route 181/Sparta/Lake Mohawk/Business District
• Stay right following signs for Sparta/Lake Mohawk/Business District
• Turn left onto Route 181 south/Woodport Road
• Turn right onto Espanong Road
• Turn left onto Edison Road/CR615
• Take the ramp to Route 15 south

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are
encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website for construction updates and
real-time travel information.