A Nov. 17 online meeting will present the preliminary design for the Denville crossing, with construction tentatively estimated for 2029 or 2030.
DENVILLE, NJ – Morris County and the New Jersey Department of Transportation will present a proposal to replace the 1903 Openaki Road bridge over Den Brook and reconstruct the adjoining lake dam at an online public meeting Nov. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The preliminary design calls for a 30-foot-wide, two-lane, single-span bridge in place of the existing one-lane crossing. The proposal would address the change in roadway width at the bridge and deficiencies in the neighboring dam and spillway, according to the county’s Nov. 10 announcement.
The county’s engineering project page also identifies shoulders and a sidewalk on the lake side of the bridge. The county is seeking public input before authorization to move into final design.
Dam repairs and the lowered lake
The project includes the dam at Openaki Lake, also called Openaka Lake. The county says the dam has been in a temporary breach condition since 2023 following an unsatisfactory state dam-safety rating. The lake’s water level will remain lowered while the replacement design is finalized.
The public meeting flyer describes the dam’s current condition as poor. Replacing it is intended to restore the lake’s original capacity, according to the engineering page.
The project remains in preliminary engineering. The flyer estimates final design in 2027–2028 and construction in 2029 or 2030. These are planning estimates, not an announced construction start or road-closure schedule.
How to review and comment
Residents, businesses, property owners and tenants may attend the virtual meeting. Registration is available through the county’s announcement.
The county says a recording and presentation will be available online Nov. 18 through Dec. 9. Written comments are due Jan. 7, 2027, according to both the project page and meeting flyer.
Comments may be emailed to mpaccione@co.morris.nj.us or mailed to Meghan M. Paccione, principal engineer, Morris County Division of Engineering and Transportation, P.O. Box 900, Morristown, NJ 07960-0900. Residents who cannot view the presentation online may call 973-829-8623 for information.