According to the DEP, the EIS failed to project how much traffic would use the bypass and how the additional traffic capacity would affect adjacent roadways. Local opponents, including the Coalition Against Alternate 3 and Skylands CLEAN, have repeatedly contended that the roadway expansion will cause sprawl development to proliferate in the Highlands and will degrade the character of the communities through which it will run.

The DEP also said the EIS neglected to adequately discuss the impact of the project on wetlands and asked whether an abandoned railroad right-of way to be used for new traffic lanes was inventoried as open space. The agency will not resume consideration of the project until county engineers address the shortcomings of the environmental analysis.

The bypass fight is likely to become more vociferous after I-287 on- and off-ramps in Wanaque open in September. Borough officials, including Wanaque mayor Warren Hagstrom, told the Bergen Record they fear commuters looking for short-cuts to I-287 will flood local roads, and have angered residents by embracing the Ringwood Avenue Bypass as a solution. At the same time, the officials say they welcome an infusion of traffic to boost shopping and commercial development.