Interstate 195 traffic shift planned over
New Jersey Turnpike in Robbinsville

(Trenton) - A major traffic pattern shift will be enacted this week on Interstate 195 over the New Jersey Turnpike in Robbinsville, Mercer County, New Jersey state transportation officials today announced.

On Wednesday night, July 27, New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) contractor, PKF-Mark III, is scheduled to close the westbound side of I-195 at the approach to the bridge over the NJ Turnpike and shift all traffic across the median to the eastbound side of the roadway. The new traffic pattern is expected to be in place by 6 a.m., Thursday, July 28. One lane of I-195 will be maintained in each direction at all times during the set-up for the shift.

I-195 eastbound will be reconfigured to carry two travel lanes in each direction over the Turnpike, separated by concrete barrier, but all roadway shoulders will be eliminated. Westbound motorists will be shifted back to the westbound side of the highway prior to Exit 6 for access to the Turnpike.

The traffic shift is necessary to allow for the demolition of the existing I-195 westbound bridge and construction of the new bridge over the Turnpike. The new pattern is expected to remain in place up to one year, at which time all traffic will be shifted to the westbound lanes with the same configuration of two lanes in each direction.

NJTA is lengthening the I-195 bridges over the Turnpike as part of a $112 million contract associated with the NJ Turnpike Interchange 6 to 9 Widening Program. The Interstate 195 bridges need to be lengthened in order to accommodate a wider NJ Turnpike.

The NJ Turnpike is being widened to 12 lanes between Interchange 6 in Mansfield Township, Burlington County and Interchange 9 in East Brunswick Township, Middlesex County with major modifications being constructed at four interchanges. Construction began in 2009 with project is expected completion expected in late 2014.

Variable message signs are in place on I-195 to notify motorists of the upcoming traffic pattern changes.

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 www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information.