I-78 west lane closures scheduled Friday in Somerset County for bridge project
SOMERSET COUNTY, N.J. — Motorists traveling on Interstate 78 westbound in Somerset County should expect lane closures Friday as work continues on a bridge replacement project in Bedminster and Bridgewater, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
From 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, July 24, the right lane on I-78 westbound will be closed between Exit 33 and Exit 29. At least two travel lanes will remain open.
Beginning at 9 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Saturday, July 25, the two right lanes will be closed between Exits 33 and 29. One lane will remain open overnight while crews restripe the roadway and reposition construction barriers to shift traffic onto the newly completed portion of the bridge over Washington Valley Road.
By 6 a.m. Saturday, all lanes are expected to reopen. One westbound lane will be shifted onto the newly constructed section of the bridge, allowing work to begin on demolishing and rebuilding the left side of the structure. Two through lanes will continue to be maintained through the work zone.
An oversized truck detour remains in effect for vehicles wider than 8.5 feet or weighing more than 40 tons. The restrictions apply to westbound traffic using I-78 from the New Jersey Turnpike as well as oversized vehicles entering I-78 westbound between Exits 45 and 33.
The restrictions are necessary because of the temporary traffic configuration through the construction zone, which extends from the Scenic Overlook, currently closed, to Exit 29 at Interstate 287.
The $67 million federally funded project will replace the bridge decks carrying I-78 over Washington Valley Road and Routes 202/206 in Bedminster and Bridgewater. The work also includes guiderail upgrades, new approach slabs and roadway resurfacing.
Construction is being completed in stages to reduce traffic impacts and is expected to be finished by fall 2027.
NJDOT advises motorists to slow down and use caution while traveling through the work zone. All work is weather permitting.
