I-76 overnight ramp closures and new traffic patterns begin this week as the Direct Connection project advances

Motorists advised to stay alert as lane shifts will begin tonight

Work will vary each night, requiring specific detours as follows:

Tuesday, May 6

Two of the five I-76 westbound lanes will be shifted onto the eastbound roadway using a temporary median crossover after Exit 1B and just past Browning Road overpass before Market Street.

Barrier curb will be installed creating a narrow two-lane segment for about one mile through the construction zone. Traffic using the two crossover lanes will not have access to the Market Street Exit 1C and the Route 130 northbound Exit 1D.

At 9 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, May 6 through about 5 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, I-76 westbound Exit 1C (Market Street) and Exit 1D (Route 130 northbound) will be closed, along with several lanes to begin restriping I-76 westbound. It is possible that four out of five lanes will be closed overnight to create a new traffic pattern.

The following detour will be in place:

• Motorists on I-76 westbound will be directed to stay right and take the I-676 split (Exit 2) to Collings Road (Exit 1) westbound. Motorists will take I-76 eastbound to Exit 1C (Route 130 southbound) to the Market Street Exit to Route 130 northbound.

Wednesday, May 7

As soon as the restriping is complete on Wednesday morning, May 7, the new traffic pattern shifting two I-76 westbound lanes onto the I-76 eastbound roadway will be implemented.

At 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 7 through about 5 a.m. Thursday, May 8, I-76 westbound Exit 1D (Route 130 northbound) will be closed for the removal of overhead sign structure. The following detour will be in place:

• Motorists on I-76 westbound will be directed to stay right and take the I-676 split (Exit 2) to Collings Road (Exit 1) westbound. Motorists take I-76 eastbound to Exit 1C (Route 130 southbound) to the Market Street Exit to Route 130 northbound.

Thursday, May 8

At 9 p.m. Thursday, May 8 through about 5 a.m. Friday, May 9, the ramp from I-295 southbound to Route 42 southbound will be closed for milling and paving. The following detour will be in place:

• Motorists on I-295 southbound will be directed to Exit 26 to I-76 westbound to Exit 1C (Market Street westbound) to I-76 eastbound which becomes Route 42 southbound.

Friday, May 9

At 9 p.m. Friday, May 9 through about 5 a.m. Saturday, May 10, the ramp from I-76 eastbound to I-295 southbound will be closed for milling and paving. The following detour will be in place:

• Motorists on I-76 eastbound will be directed to Exit 1B (I-295 northbound) to Exit 28 (Route 168) where they will cross over the highway and get on I-295 southbound.

Weekend Closure Friday, May 9 through Monday, May 12

At 10 p.m. Friday, May 9 through about 5 a.m. Monday, May 12, I-76 westbound Exit 1C (Market Street) and Exit 1D (Route 130 northbound) will be closed.

The following detour will be in place:

• Motorists on I-76 westbound will be directed to stay right and take the I-676 split (Exit 2) to Collings Road (Exit 1) westbound. Motorists take I-76 eastbound to Exit 1C (Route 130 southbound) to the Market Street Exit to Route 130 northbound.

Variable message signs are being utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists of all traffic pattern changes associated with Direct Connection. Throughout the project, NJDOT will provide information before upcoming lane closures or traffic shifts.

This work is part of the Direct Connection project that will provide a seamless route for I-295 motorists traveling through the interchange of I-295, I-76, and Route 42. The I-76 reconstruction in the Market Street area is part of the $160 million Contract 1, which includes work along I-295 south of Essex Avenue, and the replacement of the Creek Road and Bell Road bridges.Work under this first contract is expected to be completed in the fall of 2015.

The Direct Connection project has been divided into four separate construction contracts, with completion of the fourth and final contract in the fall of 2021. NJDOT's project website provides construction activity schedules and updates.

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 real-time travel information.