Route 22 Lane Closures, Traffic Shift In Union County This Weekend

UNION, NJ — Drivers should expect lane closures and a traffic shift on Route 22 East this weekend for drainage installation as the Route 22/Route 82/Garden State Parkway Interchange project advances in Union Township.

In addition, the ramp from Burke Parkway onto Route 22 eastbound is scheduled to be closed on Monday night, announced the New Jersey Department of Transportation(NJDOT).

Friday to Monday – Route 22 East Lane Closure

Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, until 6 a.m. Monday, the right lane on Route 22 eastbound is scheduled to be closed near the Bridge over Chestnut Street. The left lane will remain open.

After Route 22 East goes under the Garden State Parkway, Route 22 eastbound traffic will be shifted onto the ramp to the Garden State Parkway. Traffic using the ramp will be permitted to return to Route 22 eastbound or continue onto the Garden State Parkway northbound. The traffic shift is necessary to allow for the installation of a drainage pipe under Route 22 eastbound.

Motorists are advised to use caution, slow down, and expect delays on Route 22 eastbound through the weekend. If work is completed early, all lanes will reopen sooner.

Monday – Burke Avenue Ramp Closure

Beginning at 11 p.m. Monday until 5 a.m. Tuesday, the ramp from Burke Parkway onto Route 22 East is scheduled to be closed. This is a continuation of work that began last week and was rescheduled due to the weather.

In addition, the Garden State Parkway northbound Exit 140 ramp to Route 22 eastbound is scheduled to be closed and detoured at the same time. The ramp closures are necessary for drainage work. The following detours will be in place:

Garden State Parkway northbound Exit 140 to Route 22 eastbound Detour:

• Motorists on the Garden State Parkway northbound wishing to take the Exit 140 ramp to Route 22 eastbound will be directed to take Exit 139B, which is before the Exit 140 ramp
• Turn right onto Chestnut Street
• Turn right onto Stuyvesant Avenue
• Turn right onto Morris Avenue/Route 82 eastbound
• Cross under Route 22 and the Garden State Parkway
• Take the jughandle across from the Lowe’s Home Store to make a U-turn onto Morris Avenue/Route 82 westbound
• Take the ramp to Garden State Parkway/Route 22
• Stay right for Route 22

Burke Parkway southbound to Route 22 eastbound Detour:

• Motorists on Burke Parkway southbound wishing to take the ramp to Route 22 eastbound will be directed to continue on Burke Parkway southbound
• Turn left onto Colonial Parkway eastbound
• Turn left onto Morris Avenue/Route 82 westbound
• Take the ramp to Garden State Parkway/Route 22
• Stay right for Route 22

Burke Parkway northbound to Route 22 eastbound Detour:

• Motorists on Burke Parkway northbound wishing to take the ramp to Route 22 eastbound will be directed to continue on Burke Parkway northbound
• Turn right onto Morris Avenue/Route 82 eastbound
• Cross under Route 22 and the Garden State Parkway
• Take the jughandle across from the Lowe’s Home Store to make a U-turn onto Morris Avenue/Route 82 westbound
• Take the ramp to Garden State Parkway/Route 22
• Stay right for Route 22

Motorists are advised to use caution, slow down, and expect delays on Route 22 East through the weekend.

The $40.8 million state-funded project will replace the existing bridges carrying Route 22 eastbound and Route 22 westbound over Route 82, which are in poor condition.

The project is located between the Garden State Parkway Exit 140 and Exit 140B and will be coordinated with any work on the Parkway.

Additional improvements include widening Route 22 to provide auxiliary lanes, streamlining ramp movements, sidewalk additions, utility upgrades, and new and improved directional signage. An Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) with camera installations and a Digital Message Sign also will be installed. An upgraded storm water drainage system will be constructed along Route 22.

The project is anticipated to be completed in fall 2025.

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