State Department of Transportation officials plan to have a temporary bridge opened by mid-July after the loss of all Route 15 south lanes over a 124-year old bridge that was being replaced. The emergency lane closures last month detoured tens of thousands of cars onto local Jefferson Township streets.
“The temporary bridge is under construction and Route 15 southbound is expected to reopen by July 19,” said Stephen Schapiro, a DOT spokesperson.
On June 4, all southbound lanes of the north Jersey highway were abruptly closed after movement was observed on the bridge abutments, state DOT officials said. The roadway “exhibited distress” and officials fully closed the bridge “out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of the public and workers.”
