NJDOT announces project to prevent rocks from falling onto Interstate 80 in Warren and Morris counties

(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced the start of a project to remove loose rock and stabilize rocky outcrops along I-80 in Allamuchy and Frelinghuysen in Warren County and in Montville Township, Morris County.

Tonight, October 22, NJDOT will close a 0.2-mile stretch of the right shoulder of I-80 eastbound in Allamuchy and Freylinghuysen to establish a construction zone adjacent to the highway. In several weeks, workers will establish a similar construction zone along the right shoulder of I-80 westbound.

NJDOT will install approximately 1,450 feet of precast concrete construction barrier on both sides of the highway and remove existing guide rail to provide workers the space to maneuver.

NJDOT’s contractor, Merco Inc., will construct wire mesh slope protection on the face of the rock outcrop along both sides of Interstate 80, and construct new guide rail along the base of the rock embankments. Rock catch fences will also be installed along portions of the highway.

• During construction, temporary single-lane closures on I-80 will be allowed Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and between 8 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday.

• Closure of the right and center lanes will be allowed Monday through Thursday 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. the next day; 9 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. the next day; 9 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. the next day; and 9 p.m. Sunday to 4 a.m. Monday.

• In addition, NJDOT will permit the closure of all lanes of I-80 eastbound in for rock scaling operations for 15-minute periods between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., only as needed.

This work is expected to be completed in early 2011.

The $1.4 million contract will also address loose rock along I-80 in both directions in Montville Township, Morris County. Construction is scheduled to begin at that location in December. NJDOT anticipates completing the project by fall 2011.

Variable Message Signs will be used to inform motorists of traffic pattern changes during construction. NJDOT provides emergency roadway information, construction schedule updates and real time traffic information and images at www.511nj.org.