Drivers in Denville should plan for overnight lane closures on Route 46 as the New Jersey Department of Transportation has begun a pavement preservation project on the highway. The work started at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5 and runs through 6 a.m. the next morning, with the same overnight schedule continuing Monday through Friday for roughly two weeks.
Crews are applying a slurry seal between Williams Street in Mine Hill and Crestview Road in Denville. According to the NJDOT, closures will move from the right lane to the left lane as the work progresses, and at least one lane will remain open in each direction overnight on both Route 46 eastbound and westbound.
The Denville segment is part of a larger $6.5 million federally funded project that will preserve about six miles of pavement on Route 46 across Mine Hill, Wharton, Dover, Rockaway Township, Rockaway Borough, and Denville in Morris County. The full project is scheduled for completion in fall 2026.
Slurry seal is a thin protective coating designed to extend the life of existing pavement and delay more costly resurfacing work later on. State transportation officials say this kind of preventive maintenance is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep a busy corridor like Route 46 in good shape.
Late-night commuters and shift workers should add a few extra minutes to their drive while closures are active. Drivers can stay current on schedule changes through the NJDOT 511NJ traveler information system or the agency’s online construction updates page.
