$10M Rockfall Mitigation Project Closes Route 15 NB Lane in Jefferson

Traffic to shift as part of ongoing $9.8 million rockfall mitigation project in Morris and Sussex counties

JEFFERSON, NJ — A section of Route 15 northbound in Jefferson, Morris County, will experience lane closures beginning tonight, Friday, August 22, as part of a federally funded rockfall mitigation project aimed at improving roadside safety.

According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), closures will occur between Weldon Road (milepost 6.9) and milepost 9.0 starting at 8 p.m. Friday and continuing until 10 a.m. Saturday, August 23. The purpose of the overnight work is to restripe the roadway and install construction barriers that will close the left shoulder and shift all traffic to the right. The right lane will be addressed first, followed by work on the left lane. One lane will remain open throughout the operation.

By 10 a.m. Saturday morning, all three northbound lanes will reopen with a new traffic configuration that uses the right shoulder as a travel lane. This setup is expected to remain in place for approximately one month.

The work is part of a larger $9.8 million federal initiative, referred to as Contract A, to reduce the risk of rockfall along Route 15 in both Jefferson, Morris County, and Sparta, Sussex County. The project involves stabilizing rock slopes that contain loose boulders and overhanging formations, which pose a hazard to motorists. Planned improvements include the removal of unstable rock, installation of protective barriers, and construction of rock catchment ditches designed to capture debris before it reaches the highway.

The overall project is expected to be completed by spring 2026.

NJDOT advises drivers to anticipate potential delays and stay informed by checking real-time traffic conditions at www.511nj.org. The timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen conditions.