I-78W Exit Ramp To I-287 Closing Friday Night In Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Motorists should plan for a closure Friday night on the Interstate 78 westbound Exit 29 ramp to I-287 as work continues on a bridge deck replacement project in Somerset County.

The closure is part of the I-78 westbound Bridges over Washington Valley Road and Routes 202/206 Deck Replacement project.

From 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and again Friday, the right lane on the I-78 westbound Exit 29 ramp to I-287 is scheduled to be closed.

One lane will remain open on the ramp, and access to I-287 northbound and southbound will be maintained. Motorists are advised to use caution and slow down through the work zone.

A broader overnight traffic shift is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Friday, until 6 a.m. Saturday, when the right and center lanes on I-78 westbound will be closed after the bridge over Washington Valley Road.

One lane will be maintained.

Beginning at 11 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Saturday, the I-78 westbound Exit 29 ramp to I-287 is scheduled to be closed and detoured.

According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the lane and ramp closures are needed to mill and pave the ramp, restripe the roadway, and remove the construction barrier so traffic can be shifted onto the newly built portion of the bridge over Route 202/206.

By 6 a.m. Saturday, traffic is scheduled to be shifted onto the new bridge, and the ramp is expected to be restored to its original configuration.

During the overnight detour, drivers on I-78 westbound who want Exit 29 for I-287 and Route 202/206 will be directed to continue west to Exit 26, turn left onto Rattlesnake Bridge Road, cross over I-78, then turn left onto the ramp for I-78 eastbound and take Exit 29.

Two through lanes on I-78 westbound will continue to be maintained on the temporary road and bridge over Routes 202/206.

A separate oversized truck detour that began May 2 also remains in place until early 2026 for vehicles 8.5 feet wide or more or weighing more than 40 tons.

The $67 million federally funded project will replace both eastbound and westbound bridge decks carrying I-78 over Routes 202/206 and Washington Valley Road.

The work also includes guiderail upgrades, new approach slabs at all four bridges and resurfacing within project limits.

Construction of all bridges is expected to be completed by fall 2027.

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