NJDOT details Passaic Avenue–Ward Avenue reconstruction; residents raise parking, timing and safety concerns

New Jersey Department of Transportation project staff and designers on Sept. 25 outlined plans to add a traffic signal at the Passaic Avenue–Ward Avenue intersection in Clifton, reconfigure the Route 3 east‑ and westbound ramps, reconstruct curb and sidewalk areas and perform repaving work that will require temporary overnight ramp closures. The project team said active construction is expected to begin in October 2025 and to be substantially complete by November 2026.

The project manager for NIA Consulting Group, Ty Thomason, told the council and a room of residents that the work includes a new turning movement at Passaic and Ward avenues, reconfiguration of an island on the Route 3 westbound ramp and “repaving for the whole project,” with some overnight full ramp closures for milling and paving. Thomason said most work will be staged so two‑way traffic can be maintained during construction, and that bus stops in the work area will remain operational.

The presentation drew immediate questions from nearby residents about outreach and parking. Resident Jennifer Wietzma said she and neighbors on Passaic Avenue were not notified in time and asked how much curb parking would be lost. Thomason responded, “I don’t think any parking is changing from our signing plans. I don’t think we’re taking away any parking that exists.”

Council members pressed for additional coordination. Councilman Phil Kolodziej told the project team to coordinate with the city manager and police chief regarding traffic enforcement and off‑duty police officers during ramp closures; he also said contractors pay off‑duty officer costs and vehicle and administrative charges. Thomason and NJDOT staff said they would coordinate with the city and the DOT resident engineer about traffic control and notifications.

DOT staff and the project team described the intended detour plan. When a Route 3 ramp closure is required, traffic will be routed to Bloomfield Avenue or Main Avenue; the project team emphasized that most ramp closures are planned overnight and that full closure of Passaic Avenue is not part of the typical staging. Thomason said the overnight work is likely to be completed in a single night for milling and then paving the following night if separate operations are required.

Safety and pedestrian access were recurring public concerns. Thomason confirmed the new signal will include pedestrian controls: “Yes. It will be actually for pedestrians.” A resident asked about bus stops located on the Route 3 ramps; the project team said NJ Transit bus stops in the area are expected to remain operational and that DOT traffic engineering rejected fixed barrier options for several ramp triangles because the available space cannot safely accommodate crash‑tested barrier end treatments for high‑speed traffic.

Council members also asked about right‑of‑way acquisitions. Thomason said there will be a “small sliver” right‑of‑way needed on a building at the westbound ramp; council members said that taking has been processed and accepted.

The project team gave contact information and said project updates and presentation materials will be posted; the council asked DOT outreach to re‑distribute and to consider a supplemental meeting because the original notice fell during Rosh Hashanah and some residents reported not receiving mailed notices. Residents asked for a PDF of the presentation to be posted and for prompt city‑level alerts when work requiring detours or lane restrictions begins.

The council closed public comment after the presentation and scheduled further follow‑up through the city manager’s office.