I-80 Lanes To Close In Wayne This Weekend: What To Know

WAYNE, NJ — Drivers traveling on Interstate 80 in Passaic County should prepare for overnight lane closures Friday as construction continues on a major interchange improvement project, state transportation officials announced.

Beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, the right lane of I-80 eastbound will be closed before Exit 53 for Route 46 eastbound in Wayne, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

The left lane of the I-80 eastbound Exit 53 ramp will also be closed during the same period. Both closures are scheduled to remain in effect until 8 a.m. Saturday.

At least two lanes will remain open on I-80 eastbound, while the right lane of the exit ramp will remain accessible.

The closures will allow crews to restripe the exit ramp and shift traffic to the right, creating a work zone on the left side of the ramp.

By Saturday morning, both closed lanes are expected to reopen, although traffic on the exit ramp will remain shifted to the right.

The work is part of the $116.7 million federally funded Route 23/I-80/Route 46 Interchange project, which aims to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance safety in the area.

The project includes constructing new ramps to connect I-80 eastbound with Route 46 westbound and Route 23 in both directions, as well as improving connections between Route 23 southbound and I-80 westbound.

Additional improvements include new acceleration lanes, bridge reconstruction, overhead highway signs, guardrails and drainage systems.

Two new bridges will also be constructed as part of the interchange upgrades, according to NJDOT.

Officials said the project is intended to address the interchange's existing configuration, which does not provide direct connections between all three highways.

The timing of the closures may change depending on weather or other conditions.

Motorists can check 511nj.org for real-time traffic updates and construction information.