Commuting News: Summit Ave Construction to Cause Bus, Motorist Delays

Commuters traveling northbound on Route 17 in Hackensack may experience delays as the Department of Transportation works on the South Summit Avenue bridge deck.

The construction, which started Friday, is expected to require long-term closures to the ramp from Route 17 northbound to South Summit Avenue. Motorists who normally take the ramp will be directed to Essex Street southbound to South Summit Avenue.

In addition, South Summit Avenue motorists headed for Route 17 northbound will take Essex Street northbound, and South Summit Avenue motorists headed for Route 17 southbound will take W. Pleasant Avenue.

The project will install a new signal on the ramp from Route 17 southbound to South Summit Avenue, replace the structurally deficient bridge deck, resurface the bridge approaches and install new sidewalks, lighting and guiderail. Construction is paid for by $4.8 million in federal funds. 

South Summit Avenue will remain open through most of the construction, though further work may require traffic pattern changes. All available travel lanes will stay open on Route 17 and I-80 during daytime and peak hours.

According to NJ Transit, the following bus routes are expected to experience delays in Hackensack due to the construction: 76 (Hackensack-Newark), 144 (Elmwood Park-Hackensack-New York), 162 (Paramus-New York), 163 (Ridgewood-New York), 164 (Midland Park-New York), 712 (Willowbrook-Hackensack) and 780 (Passaic-Englewood). The 163 Turnpike Express will take a detour to and from Route 80 via Essex Street and Polifly Road. 

The project is expected to be completed in November.

Rail Alerts

• New schedules will take effect March 13 on all NJ Transit rail lines. Check the attached schedules for details.
• For passengers boarding in Ridgewood, inbound trains will arrive on the center track Monday to Friday from 9:15 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Traffic Alerts

• The eastbound lower level of the George Washington Bridge will be closed Monday to Thursday from 11 p.m. each evening to 5 a.m. the following morning for maintenance.
• One tube of the Lincoln Tunnel will be closed Tuesday to Thursday from 11 p.m. each evening to 5 a.m. the following morning for maintenance. Two additional tunnel lanes in each direction will be closed at 12:30 a.m., traffic permitting, leaving one lane in each direction available.
• One lane in each direction of the Holland Tunnel will be closed to traffic Monday to Thursday from 11 p.m. each evening to 5 a.m. the following morning for maintenance.