I-80 Eastbound: Two Lanes Reopen Wednesday Evening

I-80 eastbound two lanes to reopen Wednesday night in Wharton, Morris County

I-80 westbound two lanes scheduled to reopen next week

(Trenton) – Two lanes on I-80 eastbound are expected to reopen late Wednesday night, May 21 in Wharton, Morris County. NJDOT will provide an update once the lanes are open.

Work is progressing on I-80 westbound, and two lanes are scheduled to open by the end of next week. Work in the median is advancing with all lanes in both directions on schedule to reopen by June 25. 

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

Paving on I-80 eastbound was completed early this morning, Tuesday, May 20, with the final layer of asphalt being applied. Once the asphalt has cooled and hardened, the roadway will 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 right lane and the shoulder as a travel lane. Two lanes on I-80 eastbound are expected to reopen late Wednesday night, May 21. Once the lanes are reopen, the I-80 eastbound detour utilizing Exit 34 will be removed. 

The speed limit will be reduced to 40 mph on I-80 eastbound through the work zone. 

Motorists are reminded this is an active work zone and are advised to SLOW DOWN and use caution.

I-80 Westbound

The concrete slabs on I-80 westbound are in the process of curing. Once that is complete, a sealant has to be applied to the concrete, which cannot be done if it is raining, and then paving multiple layers of asphalt will take place. 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 right lane and the shoulder as a travel lane. Two lanes on I-80 westbound are on schedule to be reopened by the end of next week.

I-80 Median Work Zone

Excavation in the median work zone is complete, and rebar installation and framing are ongoing in preparation for concrete pours. That will be followed by the sealant application and then paving multiple layers of asphalt. All lanes are on schedule to reopen by June 25.

Motorists are reminded to use the signed detours for I-80 westbound 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.