Adjusting Route

Drivers confused, misdirected as part of $220 million-plus Route 46 and Route 3 interchange work continues to roll on

By: Matt Fagan
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... If you're headed to Route 3, drive east on Route 46 through Wayne, Woodland Park and Clifton, then ignore your GPS - at least for now.
..... GPS systems are wrongly instructing motorists to keep right on route 46 east to reach route 3.
..... That's the old route.
..... The new traffic pattern, part of an estimated $220 million realignment of the Roche 3 and Route 46 interchange, has reversed the directions.
..... Go right to stay on Roche 46 east and stay left for Route 3.
..... Just read the painted directions on the highway.
....."The first time I took it, it blew my mind," said Clifton's Lenny Fabregas, who added that if you go the wrong way, it is not easy to make a U-turn.
..... Late in 2021, a new ramp to Route 46 east opened. though there is some signage, officials said the switch has caused lots of confusion.
..... Once completed with all lanes open and permanent signage installed, and "especially once GPS services update their maps, traffic through the interchange will flow more freely," said Little Falls Mayor James Damiano.
..... Clifton police Detective Lieutenant Robert Bracken agreed that motorists who rely on GPS for navigating the new traffic pattern have been confused.
..... "Cars were seen in neighborhoods trying to navigate their way back," said Bracken, who lives nearby.
..... Clifton Councilman Bill Gibson said a lack of adequate signage has been a challenge for local residents.
..... "It could be that those not familiar with the traffic patterns are better off," Gibson said.
.... Still, he said, so far the work has improved the intersection. The Clove Road flyover has helped.
..... Gibson, a former Clifton cop, said he really appreciates the new Great Notch Road from Valley to Lackawanna Avenue. "I was initially skeptical, but I've got to say it really seems to work," Gibson said.
..... Woodland Park Mayor Keith Kazmark said he has heard a lot of "feedback" concerning the new traffic pattern.
..... LOL, especially since GPS has the old way," Kazmark said. "But I am confident that people will get used to it."

Route 46 west fix

..... As for Route 46 west, a respite from traffic will have to wait.
..... "It's under construction," Gibson said. "you can see they plan to open another lane."
..... The work is part of Contract B, expected to cost $164 million on complete. It includes the Route 46 east ramp, the realignment and widening of Route 46, and the construction of wider shoulders and acceleration, deceleration and auxiliary lanes, said Steve Schapiro, a spokesperson for the state Department of Transportation.
..... At the interchange, a three-lane Route 3 section will replace the existing two-lane connections and Route 46 will be realigned to better converge with Route 3.
..... The new interchange includes four new bridge structures, a new signalized intersection, and a new multi-lane roundabout.
..... This work is anticipated to be completed in 2023.
..... Contract B began after a $50 million Contract A was started in 2015 and completed in 2019.
..... Contract A included the construction of the new Great Notch Road, a new bridge over Route 46 form Great Notch Road to Clove Road, reconstruction of the Notch Road Bridge over Route 46, three signalized intersections, and two single-lane roundabouts parallel to Route 46 to remove local traffic from the state highway.
..... So far, the southbound side of the Valley Road Bridge and the southbound said of the Lower Notch Road Bridge have been reconstructed.
..... In addition, the installation of two culverts, several overhead sign structures and various noise walls and retaining walls have been completed, Schapiro said.
..... The Valley Road roundabout replacing the signalized intersection with Great Notch Road also opened in December 2021, he said.

Still to come

..... For the next year, Schapiro said, construction of the northbound sides of the Lower Notch Road Bridge and the northbound side of Valley Road Bridge will continue.
..... Drainage work and the installation of a third culvert, and installation of retaining walls and noise walls, will continue.
..... construction of the Route 46 west bridge over the Route 3 west ramp to Vally Road is also scheduled to begin in 2022, along with intersection improvements such as the installation of a traffic signal at Valley Road and the ramp to Route 46 east and Route 3 east.
..... Work scheduled in 2023 involves the completion of the Lower Notch road Bridge and Valley Road Bridge Stage 4 deck pours. as well as the Route 46 westbound ramp to Vally road deck pour

HOME