Route 23 lane closures, jughandle detours scheduled this weekend in Pequannock
PEQUANNOCK TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — Motorists traveling on Route 23 in Morris County should expect lane closures and detours beginning Friday night as the New Jersey Department of Transportation continues work on a $13.8 million roadway improvement project.
According to NJDOT, the Route 23 northbound jughandle to Newark-Pompton Turnpike westbound and the Route 23 southbound U-turn at West Parkway/Alternate County Route 511/Boulevard are scheduled to close at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, and remain closed until 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16.
The left lanes of Route 23 in both directions at the affected intersections will also be closed while crews install median guiderail and crash cushions.
At least one lane of Route 23 will remain open in each direction throughout the work.
Route 23 northbound jughandle at Newark-Pompton Turnpike
The Route 23 northbound jughandle to Newark-Pompton Turnpike westbound will be closed during the weekend construction.
Motorists traveling northbound on Route 23 who need to access Newark-Pompton Turnpike westbound will be directed to continue north, take the ramp for Newark-Pompton Turnpike/Boulevard/West Parkway, stay left onto Newark-Pompton Turnpike, turn left onto Route 23 southbound and then turn right onto Newark-Pompton Turnpike westbound.
Left turns from Newark-Pompton Turnpike eastbound onto Route 23 northbound will also be prohibited.
Drivers traveling eastbound on Newark-Pompton Turnpike who need to access Route 23 northbound will be directed to turn right onto Route 23 southbound, take the Jackson Avenue/County Route 680 ramp and turn left onto Route 23 northbound.
Route 23 southbound U-turn at West Parkway/Boulevard
The Route 23 southbound U-turn at West Parkway/Alternate County Route 511/Boulevard will also be closed from 8 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Monday.
Only the U-turn lane connecting Route 23 southbound to Route 23 northbound will be closed. The ramps to West Parkway and Boulevard southbound will remain open.
Motorists traveling southbound on Route 23 who need to make a U-turn will be directed to take Alternate County Route 511/Boulevard southbound, turn left onto Mountain Avenue, right onto Newark-Pompton Turnpike, left onto Jackson Avenue and then left onto Route 23 northbound.
Left turns from Boulevard northbound onto Route 23 northbound will also be prohibited.
Drivers traveling northbound on Boulevard who need to access Route 23 northbound will be directed to turn right onto Route 23 southbound, take the Jackson Avenue/County Route 680 ramp and turn left onto Route 23 northbound.
Work part of $13.8 million Route 23 improvement project
NJDOT said this weekend marks the second of four weekends of scheduled median guiderail and crash cushion installation at intersections along Route 23.
Work at the Route 23 northbound Alexander Avenue jughandle and intersection was completed last weekend.
Following this weekend’s work, crews are scheduled to make improvements at the Windbeam Road/Newark-Pompton Turnpike intersection and the Jackson Avenue intersection. NJDOT said advance notice will be provided before those closures.
The $13.8 million Route 23 improvement project included resurfacing approximately three miles of Route 23 northbound from Alexander Avenue in Pequannock to Interstate 287 in Riverdale.
The project also included traffic signal upgrades at 10 intersections between Alexander Avenue in Pequannock and Maple Lake Road in Butler, along with new pedestrian signals, push buttons, ADA-compliant curb ramps and guiderail improvements in both directions.
According to NJDOT, most of the project was completed over the past year, with guiderail and crash cushion installation representing the final remaining work.
Portable electronic message signs are being used to alert motorists to traffic pattern changes.
NJDOT advised drivers to slow down and use caution in construction zones. All closures are subject to weather and other factors, and roads may reopen earlier if work is completed ahead of schedule.
Motorists can check 511nj.org for construction updates and real-time traffic information.
