According to this information released to the public, The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials announced a traffic shift of I-280 eastbound, and the closure of Martin Luther King Boulevard this weekend for bridge replacement work as the I-280 and Route 21 Interchange Improvements Project advances in Newark, Essex County.
According to DOT Officials starting at 10 p.m. Friday, August 5,(tonight) until 5 a.m. Monday, August 8, NJDOT’s contractors are scheduled to shift traffic from I-280 eastbound to I-280 westbound for the demolition and replacement of the existing I-280 eastbound bridge over Martin Luther King Boulevard in Newark.
I-280 traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction over the I-280 westbound bridge, resulting in a wide-load restriction. In addition, the Exit 14 ramp from I-280 eastbound to Martin Luther King Boulevard will be closed during construction.
Martin Luther King Boulevard from State Street to Orange Street will be closed and detoured to accommodate bridge construction activities.
A pedestrian detour also will be in place. The following detour will be in place for motorists:
**From Martin Luther King Boulevard and State Street:**
• Motorists from MLK Boulevard/State Street will travel along State Street and make a right onto University Avenue
• From University Avenue, motorists will make a right on to Orange Street.
• Continue along Orange Street to MLK Boulevard
• Motorists wishing to access I-280 can continue west along Orange Street to the 1st Street entrance
**From Martin Luther King Boulevard and Orange Street:**
• Motorists from MLK Boulevard/Orange Street will travel along Orange Street and make a right onto Clifton Avenue
• From Clifton Avenue, motorists will make a right on to 7th Avenue
• Continue along 7th Avenue to MLK Boulevard
• Motorists wishing to access I-280 can continue west along Orange Street to the 1st Street entrance
Traffic will be shifted back onto the newly reconstructed eastbound bridge by 5 a.m. Monday, August 8. In July, a similar weekend closure was implemented to successfully demolish and replace the westbound bridge.