Commuting News: More Work on Route 17

The New Jersey Department of Transportation has started work to replace the Route 17 northbound bridge over Route 80 in Hackensack and Hasbrouck Heights, according to a statement from the department.

The work started last week when the Department of Transportation contractor shifted both Route 17 northbound lanes to the right, into the shoulder. The department said the work would be completed in stages, so two lanes will stay open during daytime and peak hours.

Further stages will require more traffic pattern changes, including long-term shoulder closures on Route 80. As the contractor replaces structural steel and sign structures, there will be overnight roadway and lane closures on Route 80 underneath Route 17 between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.

In some instances Route 80 express lanes will be closed in both directions. Express traffic will be detoured to local lanes.

The $9.9 million project will widen the Route 17 northbound bridge to add a deceleration lane on the left exiting to South Summit Avenue. Work is scheduled to be completed fall 2012.

Work on this project is being coordinated with another NJDOT project to . The Route 17 northbound exit to South Summit Avenue has been closed as part of that project.

Rail Alerts

• Expect 15-minute delays on the Main Line between Suffern and Waldwick stations as NJ Transit performs work on the tracks.
• All trains will arrive on the inbound track at the Mahwah NJ Transit station Friday between 10:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• All inbound trains will arrive on the center track at the Ridgewood NJ Transit station Monday to Thursday from 10:20 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Traffic Alerts

• Expect delays Tuesday and Thursday night as Madison Square Garden hosts the college basketball National Invitational Tournament.
• The lower level of the George Washington Bridge will be closed Monday to Thursday from 11 p.m. each night to 5 a.m. the following morning for work on the upper level deck.
• All lanes of the inbound Lincoln Tunnel helix will be closed Monday and Tuesday from 11:59 p.m. each night to 5 a.m. the following morning for maintenance. Motorists will be directed to detours to access the Lincoln Tunnel. One tube plus two additional lanes will be closed, leaving one lane in each direction available, Tuesday to Thursday from 11 p.m. each night to 5 a.m. the following  morning for maintenance.
• One lane in each direction of the Holland Tunnel will be closed Monday to Thursday from 11 p.m. each night to 5:30 a.m. the following morning for maintenance.