New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials reminded motorists of ramp closures for bridge-deck replacement work as the I-280 and Rt. 21 Interchange Improvements Project advances in Newark.
Starting at 11 p.m., Friday, Jan. 8, until 6 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 9, NJDOT’s contractor, G. Harms Construction Co., Inc., is scheduled to close the following ramps for a new stage in construction. This new stage involves closures of several existing ramps both long term and some permanently as well as the opening of new temporary ramps to maintain access between I-280 and Route 21. The ramp from I-280 westbound to State Street will be permanently closed in the near future. NJDOT will provide information before the closure takes place.
The following ramp will be permanently closed:
- The ramp from I-280 westbound to Grant Street and Broad Street.
The following ramps will be closed long term and will be replaced by new temporary ramps:
- The ramp from Route 21 southbound to I-280 eastbound
- The ramp from I-280 westbound to Route 21 southbound
Once the traffic shift is in place, motorists will use a new temporary signals on Rt. 21, and also will be directed to temporary ramps from the Rt. 21 southbound jughandle to I-280 eastbound, and from I-280 westbound to Route 21 southbound. These temporary ramps and signals will be in place until the new interchange is completed.
The following ramps will be closed long term and will be replaced by detours:
- The ramp from Broad Street to I-280 eastbound.
- Broad Street traffic will be directed to Clay Street, and then to Rt. 21 South to the new temporary ramp at the new jughandle.
- The ramp from Rt. 21 northbound to I-280 eastbound.
- Traffic from Rt. 21 northbound to I-280 eastbound will be directed east, south of I-280 at Bridge St., across the bridge to the I-280 eastbound ramp at Harrison Ave. in Harrison.
The new traffic pattern for stage 2A in construction allows for continued access between Rts. 280 and 21.
The $93 million federally-funded project, which started construction in September 2015, will demolish existing structurally deficient bridge decks, reconfigure the interchange to provide full movements and consolidate entrance points. NJDOT has coordinated with local officials throughout the design process. The I-280 and Rt. 21 Interchange Improvements Project is being accomplished in stages, and is expected to be completed in early 2019.
Variable message signs are being utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists of all traffic pattern changes associated with the interchange improvements 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 us on Twitter @NJDOT_info.
