ALLOW EXTRA TIME FOR TRAVEL THROUGH SUMMIT

The long awaited – and somewhat dreaded – closing of the Morris Avenue Bridge here in Summit finally happened this week after years of discussion. The rehabilitation project will close this portion of Morris Avenue (between Springfield Avenue and Kent Place Boulevard) for approximately the next 18 months. The bridge rehabilitation, while desperately needed, has some residents flummoxed on how to get around town!

Summit High School, Kent Place School and many businesses in town will feel the effects of the traffic tie-ups in the upcoming weeks as detour signs direct traffic up and down Springfield Avenue, Kent Place Boulevard, Passaic Avenue and even De Forest Avenue. The route is a direct thoroughfare to both schools, as well as to downtown Summit.

It’s not only motorists that will be impacted. Walkways for pedestrians have been reassigned around the bridge and over to DeForest Avenue, and New Jersey Transit is letting it’s riders know that the route for No. 70 bus line is also changed. New Jersey Transit has confirmed, however, that rail service should feel little or no disruption to service.

So here’s what you need to know if you want to get around Summit: Morris Avenue between Springfield Avenue and Kent Place Boulevard will be completely closed. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic has been detoured (see map below) and NJ Transit route 70 bus detours have been established. The Summit Police will review detour routes periodically to ensure traffic is moving and pedestrians are safe.

The specifics of the project: The State Transportation Fund is financing the much-needed repairs and New Jersey Transit is overseeing the renovations. According to NJ Transit, the construction project will include reconstruction of the bridge abutments; replacement of the steel bridge superstructure and concrete bridge deck; widening of the bridge approaches to improve bridge geometry; construction and rehabilitation of the retaining walls, curbs, sidewalks and ADA ramps; installation of ornamental railings on the bridge and the retaining walls; relocation of the traffic signal pole and the cantilever arm in the Morris Avenue and Kent Place Boulevard intersection; and installation of new traffic signage and striping.

Police Chief Weck and Mayor Ellen Dickson have released this video to discuss the impact the renovation will have on the community.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEPJaO_i6XY

If you have questions or concerns about the Morris Avenue Rehabilitation Project please NJ Transit Customer Service at 973.275.5555, or go njtransit.com. You will also find updates on the City of Summit website at cityofsummit.org.

Written by: Patricia Cassin