I-78 West Lane Closures Planned In Warren Township Friday Night

A bridge replacement project in Warren Township will bring overnight I-78 westbound lane closures near Exit 36.

By Alexis Tarrazi, Patch Staff

May 8, 2026 1:31 pm EDT

Drivers on Interstate 78 West in Warren Township are expected to see overnight lane closures near Exit 36, as part of the Bridge over the Tributary of Dead River replacement project in Somerset County. (David Giuliani/Patch)

WARREN, NJ — Drivers on Interstate 78 West in Warren Township are expected to see overnight lane closures near Exit 36, as part of the Bridge over the Tributary of Dead River replacement project in Somerset County.

According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation(NJDOT), beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, the right lane on I-78 west is scheduled to close first and remain closed until crews reposition the construction barrier.

A second lane will close later in the night so workers can restripe the road and shift traffic in the right lane onto a newly constructed portion of the bridge, creating a center work zone. At least one lane will be maintained overnight.

By 7 a.m. Saturday, May 9, all three lanes are scheduled to reopen. The traffic pattern will then place two lanes on the left side of the work zone and one lane shifted to the right.

The overnight work is tied to the $6.1 million federally funded I-78 West Bridge over Tributary of Dead River replacement project in Warren Township.

According to NJDOT, the project will replace the bridge superstructure and deck. It will advance in stages using precast deck panels to minimize construction time, and it also includes guiderail upgrades.

The on-ramp from King George Road southbound onto I-78 westbound remains closed and detoured for the duration of the project, according to the notice. The ramp from King George Road northbound to I-78 westbound will remain open throughout construction.

The posted detour for drivers traveling from King George Road southbound to I-78 westbound directs traffic to take Valley Road/CR 512 westbound, turn left to stay on Valley Road/CR 512, turn left onto Martinsville-Liberty Corner Road/CR 525, and then take the ramp onto I-78 westbound.

All three lanes will be maintained during most of the construction, with some lane closures at night or on weekends. The project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026.

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