Politics & Government

Rutgers St. Bridge to be Periodically Closed for Passaic River Cleaning

Check www.rm109.com for schedules of closings.

Planning on crossing the Passaic River? It may take longer than you think.

To facilitate cleaning of the Passaic River, the Rutgers Street Bridge will be periodically closed until December. 

The Lower Passaic River Study Area Cooperating Parties Group, under the supervision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has begun removing of 20,000 cubic yards of contaminated river sediment in the vicinity of River Mile (RM) 10.9 in Lyndhurst.

Find out what's happening in Belleville-Nutleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Moving equipment upriver will take place requires the opening of 11 bridges along the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers, including the Rutgers Street Bridge.  Following mobilization, it is anticipated that the dredging operation will begin on Friday..

On or about Sunday, 11 daily bridge openings will occur on average six nights per week.  From Sunday, through mid-December, each of the 11 bridges will be opened once each day.  CPG officials said tidal conditions along the Passaic River, coupled with a rock formation at River Mile 8, have a significant impact on the navigation along the river and the bridge opening schedule.  The optimal tidal condition for the safe and efficient movement of these barges is within a two-hour window of high tide. 

Find out what's happening in Belleville-Nutleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The CPG said they are working with the bridge owners and operators to minimize the local traffic impacts, avoid bridge openings during peak travel times and make the bridge openings as efficient as possible.  

The CPG said they are trying to avoid conflicts with major events scheduled at major venues like the NJPAC, Red Bull Stadium and Prudential Arena.

On a weekly basis, the CPG will give a two-week look ahead forecasting when they plan to move barges up or down river and when we estimate each of the eleven bridges will need to be opened on the website www.rm109.com


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