NJDOT to restore original traffic pattern
on Route 80 in Morris County

Project to protect highway from falling rocks nears completion

(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced that the original traffic pattern will be restored on Interstate 80 westbound in Roxbury Township and Mount Arlington Borough, Morris County. A $5.5 million project to prevent rocks and other debris from falling on a .32-mile stretch of Route 80 westbound is nearing completion.

“We are pleased to announce that this important safety project is nearing completion and thank motorists for their patience over the past two years,” said Transportation Commissioner Jim Simpson.

On Thursday, May 27, NJDOT will remove safety barriers and replace guide rail along the highway, requiring some temporary single lane closures. All construction activity will then be suspended over the Memorial Day weekend, from Friday through noon on Tuesday, June 1.
Beginning on Wednesday, June 2, NJDOT will mill, pave and re-stripe I-80 westbound over three consecutive nights. NJDOT will also reopen the right shoulder on I-80 westbound between milepost 29.3 and 29.6. Interstate 80 westbound will be restored in the original traffic pattern by Saturday, June 5.

Once this work is completed, work to restore the grass median will begin.
During all rock blasting operations I-80 was closed fully to traffic over 10 minute periods between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. A controlled blasting technique was used in order to minimize noise and vibration levels in the area.

NJDOT has removed and stabilized around 65,000 cubic yards of loose rock in order to ensure the safety of motorists along this stretch of Route 80. The existing roadside rock formations consisted of loose rock that posed the threat of falling onto the highway if not repaired.