I-80 Eastbound Lanes Opening Next Week

I-80 eastbound two lanes to reopen next week in Wharton

I-80 westbound two lanes scheduled to reopen at the end of May

(Trenton) – The permanent long-term repair of I-80 in both directions is progressing with two lanes on I-80 eastbound expected to reopen next week in Wharton, Morris County. Two lanes on I-80 westbound are scheduled to open by the end of May, and all lanes in both directions are on schedule to reopen by June 25.

The heavy rains this week and last week have affected the schedule as some of the work is weather dependent and cannot be done in the rain. There are two separate crews working concurrently – one on the eastbound side and one on the westbound side – to expedite repairs. Crews will continue working 24 hours a day until repairs are completed and the highway reopened. NJDOT will continue to look for any avenues to pick up time on both sides, if possible.

I-80 Eastbound

All three concrete slabs on the eastbound side have been poured. After the concrete cures, a sealant has to be applied to the concrete, which cannot be done if it is raining. Once that is done, stone and aggregate will be added on top of the concrete slabs to form the roadway base in preparation for paving multiple layers of asphalt. The roadway will then be striped and barrier curb will be installed to separate the median work zone from the two lanes of traffic, which will be utilizing the shoulder as a travel lane, and the right lane. Two lanes on I-80 eastbound are expected to reopen on May 21, weather permitting.

I-80 Westbound

There are two concrete slabs on the westbound side. Concrete was poured last weekend on the smaller of the two slabs, and concrete was poured for the larger of the two slabs yesterday, Thursday, May 15. After the concrete cures, a sealant has to be applied to the concrete, which cannot be done if it is raining. Once that is done, stone and aggregate will be added on top of the concrete slabs to form the roadway base in preparation for paving multiple layers of asphalt. The roadway will then be striped and barrier curb will be installed to separate the median work zone from the two lanes of traffic, which will be utilizing the shoulder as a travel lane and the right lane. Two lanes on I-80 westbound are on schedule to be reopened by the end of May.

I-80 Median Work Zone

Excavation in the median work zone is ongoing. Once excavation in the median is complete, rebar installation and framing will be done in preparation for concrete pours. That will be followed by the sealant application, and then stone and aggregate will be added on top of the concrete slabs to form the roadway base in preparation for paving multiple layers of asphalt. All lanes are on schedule to reopen by June 25.

Motorists are reminded to use the signed detours and not cut through local streets that are unable to handle trucks and additional traffic.

NJDOT has created an I-80 project web page to keep the public informed about the progress of repairs. Information about detours, alternate routes, and other options to minimize traffic congestion in the area can also be found on the web page.

A new I-80 travel time page has been added to www.511NJ.org and has current travel times on the detour routes and alternate routes.

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.