Major Bridge Project Over I-80 In Passaic County Begins This Spring

WOODLAND PARK, NJ — A bridge replacement project over Route 80 will change traffic patterns for Woodland Park residents and those driving through the area.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation is undertaking a $12.2 million project to replace the Squirrelwood Road Bridge, which was built in 1968. This project is expected to improve traffic moving through the area on I-80, and for those entering or exiting the highway via Squirrelwood Road (CR 636) and Exit 56.

Officials said that once the bridge is rebuilt it will be wider, and will also provide more clearance for vehicles moving underneath it on Route 80. NJDOT said the current clearance level of 14 feet, 3 inches is inadequate and the new bridge will raise clearance to 15 feet, 6 inches.

A temporary sidewalk will maintain pedestrian access during construction. Crews will also install a new traffic signal at the intersection of the I-80 westbound off-ramp and Squirrelwood Road.

Bridge replacement will take place in two phases, said the NJ Department of Transportation. Stage 1 begins in late April and is expected to be finished in late fall.

During this stage, the northbound side of the bridge will be closed, while southbound traffic will continue as usual. Drivers looking to cross the bridge going north will be directed to detour using I-80 eastbound up to Exit 57, then back on the highway westbound to get off at Exit 56 and back to Squirrelwood Road.

The ramp from northbound Squirrelwood Road to I-80 west and the ramp from I-80 east to northbound Squirrelwood Road will be closed and detoured during Stage 1, as well.

During Stage 2, southbound traffic will shift onto the newly-constructed northbound side of the bridge, to allow for crews to demolish and reconstruct the southbound side. NJDOT said this stage is expected to take approximately six months.

The final stage includes paving, striping, and final sidewalk construction. This project is expected to be fully completed in fall 2025. For full details on the project, visit squirrelwoodrdoverrt80.com.