The New Jersey Department of Transportation announced on March 13 that the Route 3 westbound on-ramp from Passaic Avenue in Clifton, Passaic County, will be closed for several months beginning Friday night. The closure is necessary to allow for ramp widening as part of an intersection safety improvement project.
This closure is expected to impact traffic patterns in the area and requires motorists to follow a detour. The department said the closure will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 13, and last for approximately two months. Drivers using Passaic Avenue who wish to access Route 3 westbound will be directed onto Ward Avenue, then onto Route 3 eastbound, before taking the Main Avenue exit and rejoining Route 3 westbound.
In addition to the long-term ramp closure, the Route 3 westbound off-ramp to Passaic Avenue will also be closed overnight from Friday at 8 p.m. until Saturday at 6 a.m. This temporary closure is needed to install a construction barrier. During this time, motorists are advised to continue on Route 3 westbound, take the Bloomfield Avenue exit, and follow detour signs back toward Passaic Avenue via Ward Avenue.
The $1.98 million project aims to improve safety near the Route 3 Passaic Avenue Exit Ramps and at intersections within the Route 3/Passaic Avenue/CR 603 Interchange. Planned improvements include reconfiguring ramps and intersections for better traffic flow, installing new traffic signals with exclusive left turn lanes on Passaic Avenue, adding right turn lanes at off-ramps, constructing ADA-compliant sidewalks and pedestrian crossings connecting bus stops along Route 3, and clearing vegetation to improve sight distance.
The department noted that work schedules may change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website at www.511nj.org for real-time updates.
