NJDOT to open newly completed Route 18
ramp to George Street in New Brunswick

(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced the opening of the new Route 18 northbound ramp to George Street in New Brunswick.

On Friday evening, January 2, NJDOT will open the newly completed entrance ramp from Route 18 northbound onto George Street. The new ramp will access downtown New Brunswick from the Route 18 northbound local lanes.

In December, NJDOT shifted all Route 18 northbound traffic to the local lanes between George Street and Albany Street in preparation for this George Street ramp opening. NJDOT will maintain two lanes of Route 18 northbound traffic.

“Opening this new entrance to George Street is another great step forward for this project as we decrease congestion on Route 18 and improve access to the city of New Brunswick,” said Governor Jon S. Corzine.

The traffic pattern changes are part of NJDOT’s $200 million Route 18 reconstruction project, which will rebuild 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 congestion. The project began in August 2005 and is scheduled for completion in summer 2009.

Motorists are encouraged to drive carefully in order to protect themselves and workers in the construction zone. NJDOT has placed variable message signs on Route 18, Route 1 and Route 27 to inform motorists of the changes in traffic pattern. Real time travel and construction information is available online at www.511nj.org.

Information regarding ridesharing, public transportation and park and rides serving the Route 18 project area also can be found online. NJDOT’s Route 18 website provides updates on the specific construction work currently taking place on the Route 18 project.