I-78 eastbound lane closures on Dec. 2 as bridge deck project advances in Somerset County
SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ – The two right lanes on I-78 eastbound are scheduled to be closed Saturday as the I-78 Bridges over Routes 202/206 and Washington Valley Road deck replacement project advances in Bedminster and Bridgewater.
In addition, the I-287 northbound ramp to I-78 eastbound is scheduled to be closed and detoured.
From 6:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Saturday, December 2, the right shoulder on I-78 eastbound is scheduled to be closed after the I-78/I-287 interchange split with two through lanes maintained until the entrance ramp from I-287 southbound. The ramp from I-287 southbound to I-78 eastbound will remain open, but there will be a temporary stop sign at the end of the ramp, where it merges with I-78 eastbound.
Where the roadway splits in the construction zone, the right two lanes will be closed and all I-78 eastbound traffic will be directed to stay left to take the temporary bridge in the median. The closures are necessary to make repairs to the bridge deck.
In addition, the I-287 northbound Exit 21A ramp to I-78 eastbound, which becomes the right lane on I-78 eastbound, is scheduled to be closed and detoured at the same time.
The following detour will be in place for the I-287 northbound Exit 21A ramp:
- Motorists on I-287 northbound wishing to take the Exit 21A ramp to I-78 eastbound will be directed to continue on I-287 northbound
- Take Exit 26B/CR 525 north/Mt Airy Road north/Bernardsville
- Stay right to take the ramp to I-287 southbound
- Take Exit 21A to I-78 eastbound
Motorists on I-78 eastbound should expect heavy congestion and delays on Saturday and may want to consider alternate routes.
By 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, all lanes on I-78 eastbound will reopen with the two left lanes over the temporary bridge available to cars. Trucks are directed to use the right two lanes on I-78 eastbound. In addition, the stop sign at the end of the I-287 southbound ramp to I-78 eastbound will be removed and returned to a yield.
The $27.9 million federally-funded project will replace both eastbound and westbound bridge decks that carry I-78 over Routes 202/206 and Washington Valley Road, which are in poor condition. In addition, the existing guiderail will be brought up to current standards.
New approach slabs will be constructed at all four bridges, and the roadway will be resurfaced within project limits. The project was designed to advance in stages to minimize impact on motorists, beginning with the eastbound bridges. Construction of all bridges is expected to be completed by fall 2025.
Variable Message Signs will provide advance notification to motorists of traffic pattern changes associated with the work. The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors.
Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website for real-time travel information
