Route 3 eastbound ramp from Kensington Avenue to be closed during the day this week in Clifton, Passaic County

Passaic Avenue shoulder closure and Ward Avenue traffic shift needed for utility work as safety improvement project begins

(Trenton) – The Route 3 eastbound on-ramp from Passaic Avenue/Ward Avenue/Kensington Avenue is scheduled to be closed on Thursday as an intersection safety improvement project begins in Clifton, Passaic County. In addition, there will be shoulder closures on Passaic Avenue and a traffic shift on Ward Avenue Wednesday through Friday.

Wednesday, December 3 – Friday, December 5
From 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 3, and continuing Thursday, December 4 and Friday, December 5 at the same time, the shoulder on Passaic Avenue in both directions is scheduled to be closed. In addition, Ward Avenue eastbound is scheduled to be shifted to the left. Two-way traffic will be maintained, and the Route 3 eastbound off-ramp will remain open. The shoulder closure and traffic shift are necessary to relocate utility poles.

Thursday, December 4
From 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Thursday, December 4, the Route 3 eastbound on-ramp from Passaic Avenue/Ward Avenue/Kensington Avenue is scheduled to be closed to relocate a utility pole. Local access will be maintained for residents and businesses on Kensington Avenue. If work is not completed on Thursday, it will be done on Friday, December 5 at the same time. The following detour will be in place:

Passaic Avenue/Ward Avenue/Kensington Avenue ramp to Route 3 eastbound Detour:

• Motorists on Passaic Avenue southbound or northbound wishing to take the ramp to Route 3 eastbound will be directed to the ramp to Route 3 westbound
• Take Route 3 westbound
• Take the exit ramp for Bloomfield Avenue/CR 622
• Turn left onto Bloomfield Avenue/CR 622
• Turn left to take the ramp onto Route 3 eastbound

The work is part of a $1.98 million project to improve safety near the Route 3 Passaic Avenue Exit Ramps and the Passaic Avenue/Ward Avenue Intersection in Clifton, Passaic County. The project will make improvements at the following three intersections within the Route 3/Passaic Avenue/CR 603 Interchange:

1. Route 3 eastbound on and off ramps and the Kensington Avenue and Ward Avenue Intersection will be reconfigured so vehicles traveling on Ward Avenue will be required to stop and vehicles traveling on Route 3 eastbound taking the Ramp/Kensington Avenue will be free flow
2. Passaic Avenue and Ward Avenue Intersection will have a new traffic signal installed with exclusive left turn lanes in both directions on Passaic Avenue
3. Route 3 westbound on and off ramps and the Passaic Avenue Intersection will be improved to include an exclusive left turn lane and right turn lane at the end of the off ramp and an exclusive left turn lane will be added to Passaic Avenue southbound

In addition to the ramp reconfiguration and new traffic signal, other safety improvements include new sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps and pedestrian crossings to connect to the bus stops on Route 3 eastbound and westbound. Vegetation clearing will also improve sight distance on the ramps.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on X (Twitter) @NewJerseyDOT, on the NJDOT Facebook page, or Instagram @NewJersey.DOT.

Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Watch NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor’s message about making roadway safety a way of life.

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If you have any questions, please contact Shivon Harris, Regional Coordinator for NJDOT-Office of Community and Constituent Relations at (609) 963-1982.