Weldon Road-Espanong Road bridge over Route 15
to be reconstructed in Jefferson
Construction to require long term lane closures and turn restrictions at interchange

On Friday night, February 1, NJDOT’s contractor, Ritacco Construction, Inc., is scheduled to implement the initial construction zone along the middle portion of the bridge to remove the existing concrete median and install new pavement. This will require that the left (inside) travel lanes on Weldon Road-Espanong Road be closed to traffic and the roadway be reduced from four travel lanes to two (one in each direction). Weldon Road-Esplanong Road will remain reduced to one travel lane in each direction throughout construction.

Construction will advance in stages, with long term traffic shifts, closures and detours necessary around the interchange. The contractor anticipates beginning the replacement of the southbound half of the bridge in mid-February, with all Weldon Road-Espanong Road traffic shifted onto the northbound half of the bridge. Associated ramp closures and detours are detailed here.

All travel-lanes on Route 15 will be maintained under the bridge during peak period travel hours, with occasional single-lane closures during off-peak hours.

The $2.7 million federally-funded project is replacing the existing, structurally deficient bridge deck and parapets with minor substructure repair to the concrete piers and abutment walls. The existing bridge was built in 1973 and has deteriorated over time requiring replacement of the deck and related work.

NJDOT anticipates the project being completed by the end of 2013.

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.