NJDOT to restore Route 1 to original traffic pattern over the Millstone River
Bridge replacement project nears completion

(Trenton)— The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced that Route 1 over the Millstone River in West Windsor (Mercer County) and Plainsboro (Middlesex County) will be restored to the original traffic pattern this weekend.

Route 1 has been shifted to the right (outside) portions of the highway in both directions since July, in connection with an $18.8 million bridge replacement project.

In order to re-stripe the roadway and remove safety barrier over the bridge, NJDOT will require temporary lane closures on Route 1 in both directions on Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4 from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. the following morning.  The original traffic pattern will be restored by Sunday morning, December 5.

Final paving and curb construction operations will require some further lane and shoulder closures until the end of the month.

“This is a high profile project that exemplifies the goals of our Department – maintaining a state of good repair within our existing infrastructure to ensure the safety of motorists while limiting the impacts during construction,” said Commissioner James Simpson. “We are proud to deliver this vital bridge replacement project along a heavily traveled stretch of Route 1 on budget and on schedule.”

NJDOT has replaced the old, structurally deficient Route 1 Bridge over the Millstone River with a new concrete bridge that features wider shoulders and two sidewalks.  New guide rail and end treatments have been installed.  NJDOT has also raised the profile of the Route 1 approaches by approximately 20 inches in order to conform to the new, wider bridge structure.

The use of pre-cast concrete bridge components enabled NJDOT to complete the project without major impacts to traffic.   NJDOT maintained at least one lane of Route 1 in each direction during all stages of construction, with the majority of work requiring lane closures being done overnight or during off-peak hours.  Approximately 100,000 vehicles travel over the bridge each day.