I-78 pavement preservation project begins next week in Union and Essex Counties

Right lane to be closed overnight for guiderail and barrier work

(Trenton) - New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced the start of a pavement preservation project on I-78 in Union and Essex Counties. 

Beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, August 5 until 4 p.m., and continuing daily, Monday through Friday, NJDOT’s contractor, D’Annunzio and Sons, Inc. will close the right lane on I-78 eastbound express beginning at Union Avenue in Hillside, Union County to create a work zone in the shoulder, which will then be milled and paved.

Following the completion of shoulder work, pavement preservation work will begin on the eastbound travel lanes, which will be overlaid with a High Performance Thin Overlay (HPTO).  The work will take place overnight, and all travel lanes will be open to traffic before the morning commute.  A minimum of three lanes will remain open throughout the duration of the project between the express and local roadways.
Following the completion of the pavement preservation on the eastbound side of the roadway, work will begin on I-78 westbound beginning near Exit 58/New Jersey Turnpike.  The project is estimated to be complete by fall 2020.

The $7.5 million federally-funded project will preserve approximately four miles of I-78 from Union Avenue in Hillside, Union County to Exit 58/New Jersey Turnpike in Newark, Essex County.  It will extend the functional life of the roadway and improve ride quality. 

Variable Message Signs will provide advance notification to motorists of the traffic pattern changes associated with the work.  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 and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info and on the NJDOT Facebook page.

Please note, the NJDOT Communications Office has a new phone number – 609-963-1975.