MORRIS COUNTY — New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials announced the completion of the I-80 westbound bridge over Route 46 in Roxbury, Morris County. In order to restore the normal traffic pattern on the newly reconstructed bridge, an overnight lane closure is necessary to remove the I-80 westbound traffic shift that utilized a temporary bridge.
Beginning at 9:00 p.m. Thursday, December 27, until 5:00 a.m. Friday, December 28, NJDOT’s contractor, Ferreira Construction Co. Inc., is scheduled to restripe the roadway to remove the I-80 westbound traffic shift which utilized I-80 eastbound over Route 46. Motorists on I-80 westbound will return onto the newly reconstructed bridge. The speed limit will remain 50 mph in the work zone as final construction continues.
Once traffic is shifted back to the new bridge, the temporary bridge will be removed and work will begin on reconstructing the I-80 median and abutment wing walls. Additional remaining work includes constructing a concrete island in the Route 46 median, as well as final work on curbs, guide rails and inlets.
The $15.1 million federally-funded project advanced in stages, first replacing the I-80 eastbound bridge, followed by the I-80 westbound bridge. Each two-span concrete bridge was replaced by single-span steel girder structure with concrete bridge decks. The vertical clearance was raised to 14 feet-9 inches to improve safety for tall vehicles on Route 46. In addition, the bridge piers located underneath each bridge were demolished and replaced.
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 was provided on each new bridge to maintain three travel lanes in each direction as construction progressed. Work on the first bridge, I-80 eastbound was completed in August 2018. Three travel lanes were maintained at all times during the reconstruction of the two bridges to minimize impacts to motorists. Final 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 and for NJDOT news follow on Twitter @NJDOT_info and on Facebook page.
