Road Work Will Impact Traffic On Rt. 46 In Essex, Morris Counties

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A major road resurfacing project is expected to impact traffic on Route 46 for several months in North Jersey.

Earlier this week, the New Jersey Department of Transportation announced that daytime shoulder closures will take place in both directions on Route 46 in Essex and Morris counties. The work began Wednesday and will last “several months,” officials said.

In addition, overnight lane closures on Route 46 westbound are scheduled to begin on Monday, Oct. 13 in Fairfield. The closures will last about two weeks.

The precise timing of the work may change due to weather or other factors.

Here’s what to know, the NJDOT said:

SHOULDERS CLOSED – From 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. on October 8, and continuing Monday through Friday at the same time for several months, the right shoulder on Route 46 in both directions is scheduled to be closed in various locations between Route 202/Parsippany Avenue in Denville (Morris County) and Passaic Avenue/Two Bridges Road/CR 613 in Fairfield (Essex County).

LANE CLOSURE – Beginning at 9 p.m. on Oct. 13 until 5 a.m. on Oct. 14 – and continuing Monday through Friday nights at the same time – a single lane on Route 46 westbound is scheduled to be closed between Passaic Avenue/Two Bridges Road/CR 613 and approximately Gardner Road in Fairfield. At least one lane will be maintained during construction. The closures are expected to last approximately two weeks and are necessary for joint repairs. Work is expected to progress in the westbound direction before switching over to make repairs on Route 46 eastbound between Gardner Road and Passaic Avenue/Two Bridges Road/CR 613.

THE BIG PICTURE – This work is part of the $11.8 million maintenance roadway project to resurface approximately 11 miles of Route 46 in both directions on two sections of Route 46. Approximately 4.3 miles of Route 46 eastbound will be resurfaced between Crestview Road in Denville through Mountain Lakes to Chapin Road in Montville (Morris County), and another 2.1 miles will be resurfaced between Gardner Road and Fairfield Avenue in Fairfield (Essex County). Approximately 2.6 miles of Route 46 westbound will be resurfaced between Passaic Avenue/Two Bridges Road/CR 613 and Gardner Road in Fairfield, and another 8.5 miles will be resurfaced between Hook Mountain Road in Montville, through Mountain Lakes and Parsippany-Troy Hills to Route 202/Parsippany Avenue in Denville. The project also will repair inlets, sidewalks, curbs, and ADA-compliant ramps. The project is expected to be completed in spring 2026.

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