Bridge Construction On I-280 In Newark Begins Friday: What To Know

NEWARK, NJ — UPDATE: The NJDOT said the I-280 westbound lane and ramp closures that were scheduled to begin on Sept. 8 for the start of a bridge deck replacement project in Newark are being postponed due to the forecast of inclement weather. In addition, the ramp from 8th Avenue/Clifton Avenue onto I-280 westbound that was scheduled to be closed and detoured will remain open until the project starts. The NJDOT said it will provide an update once the work is rescheduled. Our original article follows below.

I-280 westbound will see lane and ramp closures beginning Friday night as a long-term bridge construction project kicks off in Newark, officials say.

In addition, the ramp from 8th Avenue/Clifton Avenue onto I-280 westbound will be closed and detoured beginning on Friday night, and will remain in place for the duration of the project, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

According to the NJDOT:

“Beginning at 11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8 until 8 a.m. Saturday, September 9, the right lane on I-280 westbound is scheduled to be closed near the Clifton Avenue overpass. The acceleration lane from the 8th Avenue/Clifton Avenue ramp onto I-280 westbound and the deceleration lane for Exit 13/Orange Street/6th Street also will be closed during the same time Friday night. At least one lane will be maintained on I-280 westbound and Exit 13 will remain open.”

In addition, the ramp from 8th Avenue/Clifton Avenue onto I-280 westbound will be closed starting at 11 p.m. Friday and detoured until fall 2025, when the project is expected to complete, NJDOT officials said.

The following detour will be in place for the duration of the project:

8th Avenue/Clifton Avenue ramp to I-280 westbound detour:

• Motorists wishing to take the ramp from 8th Avenue/Clifton Avenue to I-280 westbound will be directed to take Clifton Avenue southbound
• Turn right onto Orange Street
• Go under I-280
• Turn left to take the ramps for I-280 westbound at First Street and Second Streets.

According to the NJDOT, the closures are necessary to install construction barrier on the right side of the roadway to create a work zone to remove the parapet and to restripe the roadway.

By 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, two 11-foot-wide lanes on I-280 westbound will reopen and the acceleration/deceleration lane will remain closed. This configuration will be in place through spring 2024, officials said.

The $31.7 million federally-funded project will replace the I-280 westbound bridge decks on the 10-span viaduct that goes over the NJ Transit tracks, Orange Street and 1st Street in Newark. The project includes substructure repairs, replacing bearings, repairing structural steel and repainting portions of the bridge.

In addition, the existing retaining wall on the ramp from 1st Street to I-280 westbound will be replaced to allow for three through lanes on I-280 westbound beyond the bridge. Two new overhead sign structures also will be installed over I-280.

The project was designed to advance in stages to minimize impact on motorists, the NJDOT stated. Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2025.

The precise timing of the work may change depending on weather or other factors, officials noted.

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