The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has announced that the Route 23 southbound ramp to Hamburg Turnpike/County Road 694 will be closed and detoured during daytime hours for approximately two weeks. This closure is part of the ongoing Route 23 Bridge replacement project over the Pequannock River and Hamburg Turnpike, affecting areas in West Milford and Kinnelon, Morris County.
According to NJDOT, “From 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, January 29, and continuing Monday through Saturday at the same time until Saturday, February 14, the Route 23 southbound ramp to Hamburg Turnpike/CR 694 is scheduled to be closed and detoured.” The department explained that this closure is necessary for the demolition of the existing bridge structure. “Work is being done during the day to avoid excessive noise overnight that could disturb surrounding residences,” NJDOT stated.
The main traffic on Route 23 will not be affected by this closure. Motorists are advised by NJDOT to slow down, use caution, and expect minor delays when traveling through the area under construction.
A detour route has been established for drivers who normally use this ramp:
– Drivers on Route 23 southbound heading toward Hamburg Turnpike or High Crest Road/Bloomingdale should continue on Route 23 southbound.
– Take the ramp to Kinnelon/Butler.
– Turn left onto Kinnelon Road/CR 618 (which becomes Kiel Avenue).
– Turn left onto Park Place.
– Turn right onto Main Street (which becomes Hamburg Turnpike/CR 694).
This work forms part of a $78.2 million federally funded project aimed at replacing the bridge over Pequannock River, Hamburg Turnpike, and nearby railroad tracks. The project also includes improvements to drainage and utilities along this section between mileposts 16.6 and 17.2 on the border of West Milford in Passaic County as well as Butler and Kinnelon in Morris County. Completion is expected in fall of 2028.
The schedule for construction activities may change depending on weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. Motorists can find updates about roadwork schedules and real-time travel information by visiting NJDOT’s traffic information website at www.511nj.org.
