Route 46 to reopen in both directions Sunday following landslide cleanup, repairs in Warren County
More than 2,600 tons of debris removed
WARREN COUNTY, NJ – Route 46 is expected to reopen in both directions on Sunday, July 30 at 6:00 a.m. following major cleanup, berm repairs, drainage improvements and slope stabilization following a landslide in Knowlton Township and White Township.
The roadway was closed on Sunday morning, July 16 following torrential downpours. A flooded stream in the Beaver Brook Wildlife Management Area breeched a natural berm resulting in water and debris flowing down the side of the mountain and onto approximately a half-mile of Route 46 between Manunka Chunk Road/Upper Serapta Road and CR 519/Hope Bridgeville Road in Knowlton Township.
NJDOT took immediate action to redirect the flow of water down Brookside Avenue to protect adjacent property owners from further damage. In addition, unstable trees were removed from the mountainside and debris removal began.
Before NJDOT could reopen Route 46, repairs needed to be made to the berm to stop the water from flowing down the mountain onto the roadway.
To do so, the department had to build a road – approximately one mile in length – leading to the access point of the natural berm. This required coordination with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), which owns the property.
Once access was established, crews built gabion baskets filled with stone and set several layers to build a dam to stabilize the berm to stop the flow of water.
In addition, NJDOT removed and replaced an existing deteriorated corrugated metal pipe with a new 36-inch High Density Polyehtylene (HDPE) pipe, repaired and cleaned inlets and culverts, replaced guiderail, and removed more than 130 truck loads of debris totaling more than 2,600 tons of material.
NJDOT and contractor crews worked around the clock with NJ State Police, NJOEM, NJDEP, and local authorities to carry out the necessary work as quickly as and as safely as possible.
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 real-time travel information.
