Route 18 widening project moves forward

P.O. Box 600
Trenton, NJ
Contact: Brendan Gill or Erin Phalon
609-530-4280
RELEASE: March 30, 2006

Route 18 widening project moves forward

NJDOT to begin reconstruction of New Street interchange

(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced the start of the second phase of its Route 18 widening project in New Brunswick. NJDOT will begin work to reconstruct the New Street intersection and bridge and reconstruct Route 18 southbound between Richmond Street and George Street. In addition, NJDOT will reconstruct Paulus Boulevard and build the Carpender Road pedestrian bridge and the Route 27 underpass.

The following changes in the traffic pattern on Route 18 in New Brunswick will be made in order to accommodate the necessary construction in the area:

On April 10, the New Street intersection will be closed for demolition. Route 18 traffic will no longer have access to the New Street exit.

Starting Saturday morning, April 1, Route 18 Northbound traffic will be diverted onto the newly installed pavement in the center of the roadway just north of George Street (South of Commercial Avenue). Traffic will rejoin the original roadway just past New Street.

The following traffic shifts on Route 18 in New Brunswick are currently in effect through November:

Starting March 30, two lanes of traffic on Route 18 Southbound shifted onto two lanes of Burnett Street, just south of Albany Street. Traffic now proceeds on Burnett Street under the New Street Bridge and then is routed back onto the Route 18 mainline. To implement this traffic shift, there is a temporary stop sign located at the intersection of Burnett Street and Route 18 allowing for traffic from Route 18 to have priority at that intersection.

On March 31, a double left turn was implemented for Route 18 Northbound traffic to access Commercial Avenue. The newly installed traffic signal will be activated and traffic no longer will utilize the right-hand jug handle for Commercial Avenue access. The Commercial Avenue jug handle has been closed.

This project will fully reconstruct a dilapidated stretch of Route 18 from Route 1 to the NJ TRANSIT/Amtrak Northeast Corridor rail bridge and add auxiliary lanes in both directions to reduce the extreme congestion caused by vehicles traveling in and out of downtown New Brunswick. The project began in August 2005 and has progressed on schedule.

Motorists are encouraged to drive carefully to protect themselves and workers in the construction zone. Variable Message Signs will be in place to inform motorists of the changes in traffic pattern. Real time travel and construction information is available online at www.njcommuter.com. Information regarding ridesharing, public transportation and park and rides serving the Route 18 project area also can be found online .

Each month NJDOT's Route 18 website ( http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/roads/route18/ )

will list the specific work ongoing at that particular time.


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