What To Expect: Rt. 202/206, I-287 Merge Construction Project

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — New Jersey Department of Transportation officials announced Thursday the details of the merge improvements project for Route 202/Route 206 and I-287 south ramp in Bridgewater.

There will be a temporary right lane closure on Route 202/206 south near the I-287 south Exit 17 in Bridgewater for the start of the Route 202/206 south merge improvements project.

Beginning at 8 p.m., Friday until 6 a.m. Monday, the right lane on Route 202/206 south will close, between Garretson Road and Commons Way in Bridgewater for milling and paving the right shoulder area. This is being done in advance of a traffic shift for roadway improvements from the I-287 south exit ramp 17 to Route 202/Route 206 southbound, according to NJDOT.

Once the overnight milling and paving is complete, traffic will be shifted to the right on Route 202 south by 6 a.m. Saturday morning. A work zone will be established behind construction barriers in the left lane and center median area, NJDOT reported.

Work is expected to continue daily between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. behind the construction barriers for the next several months with no significant impacts on traffic.

Additional overnight lane and ramp closures on Route 202/Route 206 will be necessary for the next stage of construction as the project advances. The Department will provide prior notice before changes in traffic patterns.

NJDOT's merge improvements project

The $1.9 million state-funded project is aimed at improving the merge at the I-287 south ramp and Route 202/Route 206. It will eliminate an existing yield from I-287 south to Route 202/206 south and replace it with an acceleration lane by widening the grass median, making the necessary curb and drainage modifications, and installing advance signing.

The acceleration lane will merge into the mainline north of the bridge which carries Commons Way over Route 202/206. The roadway from Route 202/206 south to Common's Way will be widened by one lane. In addition, the Route 202/Route 206 ramp to Commons Way will receive minor improvements.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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