NJDOT Announces I-80 Traffic Shifts

If you use Interstate 80 for travel, get ready for some changes starting this weekend.

On Friday, the New Jersey Department of Transportation announced new traffic pattern shifts on I-80 in both directions over I-287 northbound and Smith Road in Parsippany.

New construction zones will go up in the center lane of I-80 in both directions this weekend.  Overnight lane closures will be necessary in each direction of the highway Friday and Saturday evenings to implement the new traffic patterns, which will be in place by noon Sunday.

Once the new zones are in place, three travel lanes will be open in each direction of the highway during daytime hours, split around either side of the new work zone.

This means periodic overnight closures of the I-80 eastbound ramp to I-287 northbound.

During ramp closures, I-80 eastbound motorists on their way to I-287 northbound must use the ramp to I-287 southbound to the Parsippany Road interchange to make a U-turn back onto I-287 northbound.

The transportation department is replacing the four existing, structurally deficient I-80 bridge decks over I-287 northbound and Smith Road.  Construction began on the $6.4 million project in January 2011 and is expected to be completed in summer 2012.

Weather and other factors may impact the precise timing of the work, so drivers are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website NJDOT's traffic information website for construction updates and real-time travel information.