NJDOT Reschedules Drawbridge Repairs Slated to Close Down Part of Route 44 for Weekend

Motorists traveling this weekend may have to make alternative plans, if traveling down Crown Point Road due to bridge construction in a neighboring town.  

Starting at 4 a.m. on  Saturday, Jan. 12, the Crown Point Road (Route 44) drawbridge over Mantua Creek in Paulsboro will be closed to all motorists.

Drawbridge repairs that were originally slated to begin the first of December, were pushed back, due to a train derailment spill  in Paulsboro that released vinyl chloride fumes out into the air. The derailment happened one day before the repairs were scheduled to occur further down the creek.

Following this weekend’s closing, the bridge is expected to reopen on Monday, Jan. 14 at 5 a.m. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) said this will be the first in a series of three weekend closures for the drawbridge while it undergoes repairs. 

The bridge will be closed to motorists driving in both directions. Southbound motorists traveling on Route 44 will detour by taking Mantua Grove Rd. to I-295/Route 130 southbound to Berkley Road west to reconnect to Route 44. All northbound motorist will take Berkley Road to I-295/ Route 130 northbound to Mantua Grove Rd where they will reconnect with Route 44. 

During this time the drawbridge will undergo maintenance and re-balancing of the lift-span—which will remain in the raised position for the duration of the work. Dynamic messaging signs will mark off the bridge closure and detours. 

Waterway traffic will still be able to travel under the bridge during this time.

Following this weekend’s closure, drawbridge repairs will resume on Jan. 19 and conclude on Jan. 21. Road closures might change or extend, pending weather conditions and other factors. NJDOT encourages all motorist to use the department’s traffic website for real-time updates.