Section of Route 17 to Close for Railroad Repairs

LODI—Motorists are advised to take note of closures planned for Route 17 in the Lodi area over the next two weekends. 

The state Department of Transportation announced this week that rehabilitation and repair work to the New York Susquehanna & Western railroad grade crossing that runs along both sides of Route 17 in the area of Route 80 and Essex Street in Lodi will shut down the highway, in one direction at a time, over the next two weekends.

This coming weekend Route 17 southbound will be closed to traffic at the railroad crossing below Route 80 beginning at 8 p.m, Friday, June 22 until around 5 a.m. on Monday, June 25, the DOT reports. Motorists heading south on Route 17 will be directed to take Essex Street westbound to Route eastbound to Route 17 southbound. 

Next weekend, Route 17 Northbound will be closed to traffic at the railroad crossing below Route 80 from 8 p.m.  Friday, June 29 until around 5 a.m. on Monday, July 2. Motorists heading north on Route 17 will be directed to take I-80 westbound to Exit 63 (Lodi/Fair Lawn) to Essex Street eastbound to Route 17 northbound, the DOT reports.

Local police departments were involved in the coordinating of these detours, the DOT reports. Access to the businesses on the roadways will be maintained, according to the state.

The DOT also advises NJ Transit bus customers that delays will be expected to service on Essex Street, Market Street, Summit Avenue and Polify Road during those two weekends.

The railroad contractor will replace the existing crossing with a new concrete freight rail crossing and repave the asphalt approaches to provide a safer and smoother driving surface, reports the DOT. The cost of the work is approximately $385,000.

According to the statement, the condition of this rail crossing has deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks, resulting in NJDOT and NYS&W personnel making numerous emergency repairs to keep the highway in operation while this permanent repair was planned.