Route 23 lane closures, Alexander Avenue jughandle detour scheduled this weekend in Morris County
PEQUANNOCK TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — Motorists traveling on Route 23 in Pequannock Township should expect lane closures and detours this weekend as the New Jersey Department of Transportation continues work on a $13.8 million roadway improvement project.
Beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, and continuing until 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, the Route 23 northbound Alexander Avenue jughandle will be closed, along with the left lanes of Route 23 in both directions, according to NJDOT.
The closures are necessary for the installation of median guiderail and crash cushions as part of the Route 23, Alexander Avenue to Maple Lake Road project, which is nearing completion. At least one lane will remain open in each direction throughout the weekend.
Left turns from Alexander Avenue eastbound onto Route 23 northbound will also be prohibited during the work.
Motorists traveling northbound on Route 23 who normally use the Alexander Avenue jughandle will be directed to continue north on Route 23, stay right to take the Jackson Avenue jughandle, turn left onto Jackson Avenue and then turn left onto Route 23 southbound. Drivers will then stay right to take the ramp to Alexander Avenue westbound.
Drivers traveling eastbound on Alexander Avenue who wish to turn left onto Route 23 northbound will instead be directed to turn right onto Route 23 southbound. They will then take the jughandle just past the traffic signal where Route 23 becomes Route 202, near the Genesis car dealership, and turn left onto Route 23 northbound.
NJDOT said this weekend’s work is the first of five planned weekend closures involving median guiderail and crash cushion installation at various intersections along Route 23.
Additional work requiring lane closures and detours is planned at the intersections of Newark-Pompton Turnpike, Alternate County Route 511/Boulevard, Windbeam Road and Jackson Avenue. The department said advance notice will be provided before those closures take place.
The $13.8 million project included resurfacing approximately three miles of Route 23 northbound from Alexander Avenue in Pequannock to Interstate 287 in Riverdale.
In addition to resurfacing, traffic signals were upgraded at 10 intersections between Alexander Avenue in Pequannock and Maple Lake Road in Butler. Improvements included new traffic signal foundations and masts, pedestrian signal heads and push buttons, and curb ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Guiderail along Route 23 in both directions was also upgraded to meet current standards. NJDOT said most of the project was completed over the past year, with the installation of median guiderail and crash cushions representing the final remaining work.
Portable electronic message signs will notify motorists of traffic pattern changes, and drivers are urged to slow down and use caution while traveling through the construction zone.
The timing of the work is subject to change because of weather or other factors. Motorists can check 511nj.org for construction updates and real-time traffic information.
