PHILLIPSBURG, NJ – Due to the approaching Nor’easter, impending travel restrictions for the I-78 Bridges and Approach Slabs Rehabilitation Project have been suspended for this week and the upcoming weekend, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission announced today.
The postponement of work means that single-lane travel patterns won’t be implemented again in the vicinity of the I-78 Toll Bridge until after Easter weekend.
The first of seven uninterrupted 57-hour-long single-lane travel configurations along I-78 westbound was implemented this past weekend. As predicted, the closure of two westbound lane caused substantial traffic backups and delays during peak Saturday and Sunday driving periods.
The 18-month-long I-78 Bridges and Approach Slabs Rehabilitation Project entails bridge approach slab replacements at the dual-span I-78 Toll Bridge and eight approach structures (relatively short-distance overpass/underpass type bridges) between Exit 3 in New Jersey and Exit 75 in Pennsylvania. The project also involves cleaning and painting at six approach and overpass structures, and an assortment of other tasks, including restriping the Commission’s entire I-78 roadway segment. Work is expected to be completed this autumn.
(The Commission plans to issue further periodic travel alerts to advise motorists of scheduled project-related travel restrictions as construction activities continue this year. The NJ511 travel alert system also will be utilized as warranted to advise motorists of construction-related lane closures.)
Project Web Page
A specific project-related website may be viewed at: http://www.drjtbc.org/project/I-78
I-78 Jurisdiction Background
The Commission’s I-78 Toll Bridge and flanking I-78 approach segments are the most heavily used facilities in the Commission’s 20 bridge system. The bridge carried 24.7 million vehicles in both directions in 2017.
The I-78 Toll Bridge opened to traffic November 21, 1989. The Commission’s jurisdiction includes the 1,222-foot-long twin seven-span river bridge, 2.25 miles of I-78 roadway in Pennsylvania and 4.2 miles of I-78 roadway in New Jersey. The Commission also owns and maintains 11 approach and overpass structures along this busy highway segment.
