I-280 lane closures necessary starting this week for the interchange improvements in Essex County

Alternating traffic in each direction reduced to one lane for milling and paving as project advances

(Trenton) New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced lane closures starting this week, resulting in traffic being reduced to one lane on I-280 in each direction to advance milling and paving in the final stage of construction on the I-280 and Route 21 Interchange Improvements Project in Essex County.

Beginning at 10 p.m., tomorrow, Thursday, November 29, until 5 a.m. the next day, and again at 10 p.m. on Friday, November 30 until 5 a.m. Monday, December 3, NJDOT’s contractor, George Harms Construction Co., Inc., will reduce I-280 to one lane in each direction on I-280 between Nesbitt Street and Route 21 in Newark. This will allow for milling and paving to be completed and advance final construction on the I-280 Route 21 intersection improvements project

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 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 and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info or on the NJDOT Facebook page.