Route 22 Bridge Construction Begins Monday, See Lane + Ramp Closures:

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Construction on the Route 22 bridge over Echo Lake begins in Union County Monday night.

The left lane on Route 22 eastbound will be closed Monday night from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. on Tuesday just before the exit ramp to Mountain Avenue/Westfield through Locust Avenue in Mountainside, according to NJDOT.

In addition, the left lane on Route 22 westbound will be closed at the same time between Walnut Avenue and the first U-turn ramp from Route 22 westbound to Route 22 eastbound.

NJDOT said in an announcement that the lane and ramp closures are necessary to install a construction barrier and establish a median work zone for the start of the Route 22 Bridge over Echo Lake project.

Read more details about the bridge project here: New Bridge Proposed Over Route 22 In Union County

The work is part of a $9 million federally-funded project to replace the culvert under the Route 22 Bridge over Echo Lake in Mountainside. The project will be done in stages in order to maintain all travel lanes throughout the project, which is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024.

By 6 a.m. on Tuesday, the left shoulders on Route 22 eastbound and westbound will be closed and traffic will be shifted to the right with two 11-foot lanes being maintained throughout the project. The shoulder closure is expected to remain in place for approximately two months, NJDOT said.

In addition, the first of three consecutive U-turn ramps from Route 22 westbound to Route 22 eastbound will be closed Monday night and is expected to remain closed for the duration of the project.

Drivers on Route 22 westbound wishing to take the ramp to Route 22 eastbound will be directed to the next U-turn ramp. The U-turn ramp from Route 22 eastbound to Route 22 westbound will remain open, according to NJDOT.

On Wednesday, Nov. 16 and Thursday, Nov. 17, from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. the next day, a single lane will again be closed in each direction in the same area. NJDOT said at least one lane will be maintained overnight.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors.

Drivers are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information.

You can also follow NJDOT on Twitter @NewJerseyDOT and its Facebook page.