Route 22 Overpass Project to Start Monday

The state Department of Transportation plans to begin the first steps of the Route 22 overpass project on Monday, Jan. 11.

Tree trimming in the area was originally supposed to start on Jan. 5, but DOT released a statement earlier this week postponing the project due to weather at the time. DOT also postponed the start of the first stage of construction, which was originally slated for Jan. 9. It is now set to begin on Jan. 22.

The project will set out to widen the intersection of Park Avenue and Sunset Place with the Route 22 overpass, providing additional lanes for turning and adding a traffic signal to regulate the flow of traffic. As it stands now, those who are turning from Park Avenue onto the overpass have to get over to the right lane relatively quickly if they intend to turn right to get on Route 22 West. When the project is complete, drivers will make that left turn and have the option of getting into two lanes, one for those intending to stay straight and the other for those headed to Route 22 West who need to get over. That will in total create three lanes at the entrance of the overpass, which will then merge back into two.

In addition, at the intersection of Bonnie Burn Road and New Providence Road, several lanes will be added to accommodate those turning or continuing straight. No lanes will be added to the overpass itself, nor will any work be done on the bridge.

DOT warns that there will be some temporary lane closures both during the tree trimming and stage one of construction.

The existing traffic pattern on Park Avenue / Bonnie Burn Road over Route 22 is two lanes in each direction. During construction, one lane will be maintained in each direction on the bridge. During Stage 1, traffic will be shifted to the south side of the bridge. Also, the existing traffic pattern on Bonnie Burn Road is one lane in each direction. During Stage 1 construction, one lane will be maintained in each direction, shifted to the west (SB side).

The existing traffic pattern on New Providence Road is also one lane in each direction. During Stage 1 construction, one lane will be maintained in each direction, shifted to the east

A permanent work zone defined with a concrete construction barrier will be established on the right side of the Park Avenue bridge approach; on the NB side of Bonnie Burn Roadl and on the west side of New Providence Road.