I-80 Westbound left lane closed tonight for median work

I-80 westbound left lane closed tonight for median work in Wharton, Morris County

At least two lanes will remain open during construction

(Trenton) – The left lane on I-80 westbound is scheduled be closed tonight before Exit 34B to provide a safety buffer for drilling operations in the median as emergency sinkhole repairs continue on I-80 eastbound in Wharton, Morris County.

Beginning at 9 p.m. tonight, Monday, March 17 until 6 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, March 18, the left lane on I-80 westbound is scheduled to be closed before Exit 34B in Wharton to provide a safety buffer for drilling operations in the median. At least two lanes will be maintained. If work is completed early, all lanes on I-80 westbound will reopen sooner.

Drilling and grouting operations to probe subsurface conditions are continuing. This work is stabilizing the area under the roadway by filling holes, loose soil, and small voids and is outlining the area where a more extensive repair is required.

The remaining locations are expected to take more time than the locations that have been completed because they are closer to the area of greatest concern, and the work must be done more carefully. This type of operation requires a high degree of precision and measurements. To do so safely, the contractor is proceeding with extreme caution in the affected area. Crews will continue to work 24 hours a day to complete these repairs as safely and efficiently as possible.

TRAFFIC MITIGATION

The Department is finalizing a design to build a crossover to shift one lane of I-80 eastbound traffic onto I-80 westbound, which would reduce westbound traffic to two lanes. The goal is to keep tractor trailers and other large commercial vehicles on I-80 and remove them from the detour and alternate routes, which will remain in place. NJDOT will provide an update once the crossover design is finalized, and construction is scheduled. It is expected to take approximately two weeks to construct.

The Department is continuing to work closely with local officials and the New Jersey State Police to improve mobility along the detour and alternate routes in the region. NJDOT has adjusted the timing of signals on Route 15, Route 10, and Route 46, which serve as the detour and alternate routes, respectively. NJDOT and New Jersey State Police will continue to monitor traffic conditions and make adjustments as necessary to mitigate delays. We ask motorists to avoid the area, plan extra travel time, and be patient while repairs are ongoing.

In addition, NJDOT is using technology to send messages to commercial truckers to provide information about the closure, detour, and alternate routes. The Department is also using digital messaging signs and working with our regional transportation partners to share information so drivers can make informed decisions about potential alternate routes to take.

DETOURS AND ALTERNATE ROUTES

I-80 eastbound traffic is being detoured at Exit 34. The following detour remains in place:

I-80 eastbound Exit 34 Detour:

Motorists on I-80 eastbound are being directed to take Exit 34 to Route 15/Wharton/Dover/Sparta
At the end of the ramp, stay right following signs for Route 15/Jefferson/Dover/Sparta/Picatinny Arsenal
Stay in the right lane on North Main Street following signs for Route 15 North/Jefferson/Sparta
Bear right toward Route 15 northbound/Picatinny Arsenal
At the traffic signal, merge onto Route 15 northbound
Stay left, following signs for Pondview Drive/U and Left Turns
Using both lanes, make a U-turn at the Pondview Drive traffic signal and merge onto Route 15 southbound
Stay left to take the exit to I-80 eastbound

Traffic is advised to use Exit 28 to take Route 10 eastbound or Route 46 eastbound as an alternate route to avoid the area. This exit is several miles before the closure:

Route 10 eastbound Alternate Route:

Motorists on I-80 eastbound are advised to take Exit 28/Route 46 eastbound to Route 10/Ledgewood/Lake Hopatcong, which is several miles before the closure
Continue on Route 46 eastbound
Stay right to take Route 10 eastbound
Take the exit to I-287 northbound
Stay right to take the ramp to I-80 eastbound

Route 46 eastbound Alternate Route:

Motorists on I-80 eastbound are advised to take Exit 28/Route 46 eastbound to Route 10/Ledgewood/Lake Hopatcong, which is several miles before the closure
Continue on Route 46 eastbound
Stay in the two left lanes to turn left at the traffic signal to continue on Route 46 eastbound
Turn left onto Route 15 northbound in Dover, back to I-80

Continue on Route 46 eastbound for about 12 miles and stay left for I-80 eastbound

Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information. For NJDOT news follow us on X (Twitter) @NewJerseyDOT, on the NJDOT Facebook page, or Instagram @NewJersey.DOT.