Morris County, N.J. – Rail crossing improvement projects in Denville, Rockaway Borough, Rockaway Township, and Roxbury will take place in October and into early November that will require closures of major roads, including Route 10 in Roxbury, and will result in traffic detours and delays.
The state-financed work will improve crossings on the county owned Dover & Rockaway Railroad and the Chester Branch Railroad, which are both operated by the Morristown & Erie Railway.
Route 10 in Roxbury will be closed near Eyland Avenue for the entire weekend of Oct. 21-24. Hibernia Road, Stickle Ave and Ogden Avenue in the Rockaways and Denville will be periodically closed, with detours, during the weeks of Oct. 17, 24, and 31 respectively.
“This is work that must be done for rail and motoring safety,’’ said Freeholder John Cesaro, the freeholder board’s liaison on road projects. “We are going to try to limit the inconvenience to motorists for the shortest period of time possible. On Route 10, we will avoid the normal work and school day commuting periods.’’
“We already are working closely with each of the affected towns to be sure their residents are fully informed of the short-term impact and required detours, and will work hand-in-hand with local police to make sure that motorists have clear and easy access to detours,’’ said Freeholder Director Kathy DeFillippo.
Roxbury officials asked the county to do the Route 10 project on one weekend rather than stretch out the work, which would have caused motoring inconvenience over a longer period of time.
The improvements will include two separate projects: The Hibernia/Stickle/Ogden project in both Rockaways and Denville, and the Route 10 project in Roxbury.
Hibernia/Stickle/Ogden Project
• Cost: $728,000. Federally funded;
• Crossings:
1. Hibernia Avenue, in both Rockaways and Denville, will get a new concrete crossing, active warning signals and devices, and new striping.
2. Stickle Avenue in Rockaway Borough will get a new concrete crossing, improved contour (smoother for vehicles and allowing lowboys and trailers to clear the crossing surface without bottoming out) for local truck traffic, active warning signals and devices, and new striping.
3. Ogden Avenue in Rockaway Borough will have the asphalt crossing removed and reconstructed with new rail, ties, and stone. It will then be closed permanently to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Plantings, curbing and guiderail will be installed to buffer the railroad from outside access.
• Contractor: Railroad Associate Corporation (TRAC), Camp Hill, Pa.;
• Railroad: Morris County’s Dover & Rockaway Railroad;
• Construction Schedule:
1. Construction for each crossing will occur successively over a three week period (one crossing/week) beginning on Monday Oct. 17, followed by Monday, Oct 24, and Monday, Oct 31.
2. Signal work will be completed in the spring of 2017, and will not require any detours.
• Contractor Hours: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. No loud construction work will start until 7:00 a.m.
• Detour signs will be installed 14 days prior to construction. Video Messaging Signs will be installed 7 days prior to construction.
Route 10 Rail Crossing
Reconstruction of Route 10 Crossing Project
• Cost: $416,000.00. Federally funded;
• Crossing:
• Route 10 in Roxbury will be improved with a new concrete crossing, replacing the existing asphalt crossing, active warning signals and devices, and new striping.
a. Signal work includes two cantilever arms with LED automatic railroad flashing signals, wiring harnesses, and relay box. This will be completed with surface work and is not a separate contract.
• Contractor: Railroad Construction Co. of Paterson;
• Railroad: Morris County’s Chester Branch
• Construction Schedule:
Construction will occur over one weekend beginning on Friday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. and ending on Monday, Oct. 24 at 6 a.m., with construction crews working 24 hours a day.
• DETOUR: Route 10 eastbound and westbound will be closed.
Eastbound traffic will be directed to Eyland Avenue, Righter Road, Park Avenue, Sussex Turnpike, Canfield Avenue and back to Route 10.
Westbound traffic will be directed to Main Street, Eyland Avenue, and back to Route 10.
A temporary access road will be available for businesses located near the project area on Route 10.
• Contractor Hours: 24 hours a day from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday;
• Detour signage will be installed 14 days prior to construction. Video Messaging Signs will be installed 7 days prior to construction.
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