Traffic on Route 53 in Denville, Morris County will be affected by lane closures and alternating traffic starting Monday night as part of an ongoing pavement preservation project. According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), these changes are necessary to shift traffic and establish a work zone on Route 53 southbound.
The lane closures will begin at 8 p.m. on Monday, December 22, and continue until 6 a.m. Tuesday, December 23. The affected area stretches between Estling Lane Road/Luger Road and Green Lane/Menagh Avenue. During this time, alternating traffic patterns will be used so crews can restripe the roadway and install construction barriers.
By Tuesday morning, southbound traffic on Route 53 will be shifted left onto the northbound side of the road, while northbound traffic will move right onto the shoulder. This configuration is intended to allow for drainage pipe replacement, basin installation, curb and sidewalk replacement, and pavement reconstruction on the southbound side. The new pattern is expected to last about one month.
This work is part of a federally funded $5.3 million project that aims to restore approximately two and a half miles of pavement between Pondview Road in Parsippany-Troy Hills and Hall Avenue in Denville. The project also includes upgrades such as improved guiderails, updated sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps, and safety enhancements at the intersection of Route 53-Fox Hill Road/Lackawanna Avenue. Completion is anticipated by late summer 2026.
Motorists are advised to slow down, use caution in the area, and expect delays during construction hours. NJDOT recommends checking its official website for real-time travel information at www.511nj.org for updates about ongoing construction activities.
“Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Watch NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor’s message about making roadway safety a way of life,” stated NJDOT.
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