The Lackawanna branch to Paterson was removed after the construction of the elevated connection between the Erie Main Line and the Lackawanna Boonton Line at South Paterson. In the 1960's, this branch still had a diamond in the middle of Main St. left over from the Main St. trolley line. This elevated right-of-way was constructed over the street level Erie Newark Branch connection between its Main Line and the Lackawanna Boonton Line. While the elevated connection was under construction, Newark Branch trains were backed down the Lackawanna Paterson freight track to just east of Main St. Buses provided connections between the Erie Market St., Paterson, station and the temporary terminus of Newark Branch trains on the Lackawanna Paterson freight track. After the merger of the Erie & Lackawanna, plus the diminishing need for freight service in Paterson, all freight was handled from the Erie tracks. The connection between the Erie Main Line and Lackawanna Boonton Line was originally a single track, with the South Paterson station on the elevated connection just west of Main St. New Jersey Transit added a second track and abandoned the South Paterson Station; quite likely, the South Paterson station was primarily a change point between Main Line trains and Newark Branch trains. There was little, if any, parking at South Paterson. The discontinuance of Newark Branch passenger service very likely reduced the need for the South Paterson station.