TRENTON — New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials announced traffic was shifted last night on the I-80 westbound Bridge over Route 46/Ledgewood Avenue as the I-80 Bridges over Route 46 replacement project advances in Roxbury, Morris County.
Last night, NJDOT’s contractor, Ferreira Construction Co. Inc., created a long-term traffic shift onto I-80 eastbound by crossing over the I-80 westbound left lane. In addition, the middle and right lanes from I-80 westbound were moved onto the temporary bridge above Route 46 in Roxbury to allow for the demolition and reconstruction of the I-80 westbound bridge structure. The new traffic shift is expected to remain in place until the end of 2018. The speed limit will remain 50 mph in the construction zone.
Work on the first bridge, I-80 eastbound is complete, and the next stage requires a traffic shift to allow for the demolition and reconstruction of the second bridge. Three travel lanes will be maintained at all times during construction to minimize impacts to motorists.
The $15.1 million federally-funded project will advance in stages, first replacing the I-80 eastbound bridge, followed by the I-80 westbound bridge. Each two-span concrete bridge will be replaced by single-span steel girder structure with concrete bridge decks. The vertical clearance will be raised to 14 feet-9 inches to improve safety for tall vehicles on Route 46, and existing guardrail will be upgraded to current standards. In addition, the bridge piers currently located underneath each bridge will be demolished.
In order to minimize impacts to motorists, a temporary I-80 bridge with two travel lanes was constructed in the median area, and a third lane will be provided on each new bridge to maintain three travel lanes in each direction as construction progresses. Construction is expected to be completed by early 2020.
Variable message signs and lane closure signs will be utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists of all traffic pattern changes associated with the bridge replacement 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 real-time travel information.
