I-78 Lanes Closures Expected Ahead Of Traffic Shift In Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Drivers can expect lane closures on Interstate 78 West on Friday into Saturday ahead of a traffic shift in Somerset County.

The traffic is expected to be shifted onto the temporary I-78 westbound Bridges over Washington Valley Road and Routes 202/206, as the deck replacement project advances in Bedminster and Bridgewater, said New Jersey Department of Transportation.

From 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, the left lane on I-78 westbound is scheduled to be closed after the scenic overlook approaching Exit 29/I-287 to restripe the roadway. At least two lanes will be maintained during the day.

Beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, until 7 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, the left lane on I-78 westbound is scheduled to reopen, and the two right lanes are scheduled to be closed. One lane will be maintained.

The closures are necessary to reposition the construction barrier and restripe the roadway to shift traffic onto the temporary bridge in the median.

In addition, the I-78 westbound Exit 29 ramp to I-287 northbound and southbound is scheduled to be closed and detoured Friday night at the same time.

The following detour will be in place:

I-78 westbound Exit 29 ramp to I-287 northbound and southbound Detour:

• Motorists on I-78 westbound wishing to take the Exit 29 ramp to I-287 northbound or southbound will be directed to continue on I-78 westbound
• Take Exit 26/CR 523/Lamington/North Branch
• At the end of the ramp turn left at the traffic signal onto Rattlesnake Bridge Road
• At the traffic signal, turn left to take the ramp to I-78 eastbound
• Stay right to take Exit 29 to I-287
• Stay left for I-287 northbound

Or

• Stay right for I-287 southbound

Motorists on I-78 westbound should expect congestion and delays on Friday and may want to consider alternate routes.

By 7 a.m. Saturday, all three lanes on I-78 westbound will reopen with the left two lanes shifted onto the temporary bridge in the median over Washington Valley Road and a single right lane maintained on the mainline to create a work zone to demolish and reconstruct the right side of the bridge.

After the temporary bridge over Washington Valley Road, all three lanes will come back together and then be split once again. The two left lanes will be shifted onto the temporary bridge over Routes 202/206 to continue on I-78, and the right lane on the mainline will become an exit only lane for I-287. Traffic wishing to take I-287 must be in the right lane to access the exit.

The traffic shift onto the temporary median bridges will create a work zone to demolish and reconstruct the right side of the bridges. This configuration is expected to be in place until summer 2025.

The $67 million federally funded project will replace both eastbound and westbound bridge decks that carry I-78 over Routes 202/206 and Washington Valley Road, which are in poor condition.

In addition, the existing guiderail will be updated to current standards. New approach slabs will be constructed at all four bridges, and the roadway will be resurfaced within project limits.

The project was designed to advance in stages to minimize impacts on motorists, beginning with the eastbound bridges. Construction of all bridges is expected to be completed by late spring 2026.

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