I-78 Lane To Close Through Weekend For Bridge Deck Project In Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Commuters should expect delays as I-78 eastbound is scheduled to have lane closures beginning Thursday and continuing through the weekend.

The lane closures are part of the I-78 Bridges over Routes 202/206 and Washington Valley Road deck replacement project as it advances in Bedminster and Bridgewater, New Jersey Department of Transportation(NJDOT) announced.

In addition, the I-287 northbound ramp to I-78 eastbound is scheduled to be closed and detoured Saturday, May 11 through Monday, May 13.

Thursday, May 9 through Saturday, May 11

Beginning at 5 a.m. Thursday, May 9 until 5 a.m. Saturday, May 11, the right lane next to the construction barrier over Washington Valley Road will be closed beginning at the ramp from I-287 southbound to I-78 eastbound.

The ramp will remain open, but there will be a temporary stop sign at the end of the ramp where it merges with I-78 eastbound.

Two lanes will be maintained through the split in the construction zone where there are two lanes to the left over the temporary bridge and one lane will be maintained to the right.

The I-287 northbound Exit 21A ramp to I-78 eastbound will remain open. The closures are necessary to prepare the deck pour on the Bridge over Washington Valley Road this weekend.

Saturday, May 11 through Monday, May 13

Beginning at 5 a.m. Saturday, May 11 until 5 a.m. Monday, May 13, the two right lanes on I-78 eastbound are scheduled to be closed after the I-78/I-287 interchange split with two through lanes maintained until the entrance ramp from I-287 southbound.

In addition, the ramp from I-287 southbound to I-78 eastbound will remain open, but there will be a temporary stop sign at the end of the ramp, where it merges with I-78 eastbound.

Where the roadway splits in the construction zone, the right two lanes will be closed, and all I-78 eastbound traffic will be directed to stay left to take the temporary bridge in the median.

The closures are necessary to pour the concrete bridge deck on the I-78 eastbound Bridge over Washington Valley Road.

In addition, the I-287 northbound Exit 21A ramp to I-78 eastbound, which becomes the right lane on I-78 eastbound, is scheduled to be closed and detoured at the same time. The following detour will be in place:

I-287 northbound Exit 21A ramp to I-78 eastbound Detour:

• Motorists on I-287 northbound wishing to take the Exit 21A ramp to I-78 eastbound will be directed to continue on I-287 northbound
• Take Exit 26B/CR 525 north/Mt Airy Road north/Bernardsville
• Stay right to take the ramp to I-287 southbound
• Take Exit 21A to I-78 eastbound

Motorists on I-78 eastbound should expect heavy congestion and delays on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and may want to consider alternate routes.

By 5 a.m. Monday, May 13, the I-287 northbound Exit 21A ramp to I-78 eastbound and all lanes on I-78 eastbound will reopen with the two left lanes over the temporary bridge available to cars. Trucks are directed to use the right two lanes on I-78 eastbound. In addition, the stop sign at the end of the I-287 southbound ramp to I-78 eastbound will be removed and returned to a yield.

The $57 million federally-funded project will replace both eastbound and westbound bridge decks that carry I-78 over Routes 202/206 and Washington Valley Road, which are in poor condition.

In addition, the existing guiderail will be updated to current standards. New approach slabs will be constructed at all four bridges, and the roadway will be resurfaced within project limits. The project was designed to advance in stages to minimize impacts on motorists, beginning with the eastbound bridges. Construction of all bridges is expected to be completed by late spring 2026.

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