Traffic & Transit

Major Construction Coming Near Rt. 3, Rt. 46 (Here's Where, When)

Work on the Route 3 and 46 corridor is being done to tackle "a high occurrence of accidents and chronic bottlenecks," officials say.

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Spring is a time of renewal. It’s also the time when the second phase of a major construction project on the Route 3 and 46 corridor is set to kick off.

According to a notice from Montclair Township officials, the project is located in the Township of Little Falls, Borough of Woodland Park and the City of Clifton in Passaic County. However, it’s also expected to impact other nearby towns – including Montclair.

State officials say the work is being performed to fix issues that include:

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  • inadequate acceleration and deceleration lanes
  • narrow shoulder widths
  • closely spaced driveways and access points
  • poor sight distance
  • reduced lanes on Route 3 westbound
  • deteriorated and substandard bridges

Montclair officials offered the following background about the project:

“The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is undertaking a project, known as Contract B, to reconstruct the Route 3, Route 46, Valley Road and Notch/Rifle Camp Road Interchanges to correct existing operational and safety problems along the Route 3 and Route 46 corridor as these existing problems have resulted in a high occurrence of accidents and chronic bottlenecks. The project is located in the Township of Little Falls, Borough of Woodland Park and the City of Clifton in Passaic County. Project limits along Route 46 extend from Lower Notch Road (Little Falls) to Rock Hill Road (Clifton). Along Route 3, the project limits extend from the Route 46/Valley Road Interchange to Grove Street.”

Officials continued:

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“The second phase of the Route 46/Route 3 interchange project will begin later this spring and last through Summer 2024. One of the most significant closures to impact Montclair will be the temporary closure of access from westbound Route 46/Route 3 to Valley Road.”

The NJDOT will hold a Public Information Center event to provide local residents and businesses with information regarding the Route 3, Route 46, Valley Road & Notch/Rifle Camp Road Interchange Project Contract B.

The PIC event will be held on Monday, March 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Montclair State University, Conference Center at University Hall, 7th Floor, 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair.

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