The wait may soon be over for Route 15 travelers, weather permitting.
A temporary bridge under construction on the highway's southbound lanes in Jefferson may open this weekend, ahead of schedule, Mayor Eric Wilsusen announced on his Facebook Friday.
The emergency construction effort began soon after the existing highway bridge was closed on June 4 due to safety concerns. The road's sudden shutdown has led to major traffic delays and detours in the area, and hurt local businesses that found themselves cut off from their customers.
Route 15 northbound has remained open.
The state Department of Transportation had set a July 19 target to open the temporary bridge. Wilsusen, who has provided almost daily updates online, said he held a virtual meeting with DOT staff on Thursday.
When will Route 15 bridge reopen?
"If, with an emphasis on if, all goes well, and nothing is delayed by the weather, on Sunday, July 14th, a soft opening of one lane will be opened over the temporary bridge to only allow access for the businesses and residents south of Taylor Road, including Cedar Terrace." the mayor wrote.
More: How Route 15 businesses are coping with highway shut down: 'It's like a ghost town'
If final touches are completed over the weekend, "the plan is to have two lanes open on Route 15 South over the temporary bridge on Monday, July 15th, which will likely happen later in the day," he added. The state DOT plans to release a statement that day, he said.
An $11.6 million effort to permanently replace the bridge will continue. The state hopes to have that structure at least partially open in six to eight months.
For more information about detours and updates on construction progress, visit the state's website on the project: Route 15 Southbound Temporary Bridge Installation .
Email: NFlanagan@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Route 15 may reopen by Monday, easing traffic nightmare for North Jersey drivers
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