I-280 traffic shifts necessary this weekend as the bridge replacement project advances in Essex County

Final stage of project to work on center median

(Trenton) -New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced a long-term traffic shift on I-280 eastbound and I-280 westbound starting this weekend to allow for bridge replacement work to advance to the final stage in construction of the I-280 and Route 21 Interchange Improvements Project in Essex County.

Beginning at 10 p.m., tonight Friday, June 8, until 6 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, June 9, NJDOT’s contractor, George Harms Construction Co., Inc., is scheduled to shift I-280 eastbound to the right, onto the southern portion of the newly constructed I-280 travel lanes between the William A. Stickel Memorial Bridge in Harrison and Clifton Avenue in Newark. In addition, NJDOT’s contractor also is scheduled to shift I-280 westbound traffic to the right onto the north of the bridge. The traffic shift will allow for construction on the center median area of the I-280 bridge deck over Broad Street.

The new traffic configuration for this final stage in construction will maintain two lanes in each direction, and is expected to be in place until the end of summer 2018.

The $93 million federally-funded project, which started construction in September 2015, will demolish and replace existing structurally deficient bridge decks and reconfigure the I-280 and Route 21 interchange to provide full movements and consolidate entrance points. NJDOT has coordinated with local officials throughout the design and construction process. The project is being accomplished in stages and is expected to be completed in early 2019.

Variable message signs are being utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists of all traffic pattern changes associated with the interchange improvements project. Throughout the project, NJDOT will provide information before upcoming road closures.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weatheror other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT's traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info or on the NJDOT Facebook page.