NJDOT announces Route 22 improvements
in Union Township
Eastbound highway to be upgraded between Vauxhall Road and Highland Avenue

(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced the start of a safety improvement and congestion relief project on Route 22 eastbound between Vauxhall Road and Highland Avenue in Union Township, Union County.

“These improvements represent a cost-effective solution to help increase public safety and reduce congestion on this important stretch of Route 22,” NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson said.

NJDOT’s contractor, New Prince Concrete Construction, will immediately start shoulder closures for utility relocations and to install advance construction signage and fencing. The initial stage of construction involves work off the mainline highway and will not impact traffic.

On or about May 20, NJDOT will begin mainline construction operations shifting both Route 22 eastbound travel lanes to the left and closing the right shoulder for pavement widening operations. Work requiring single-lane closures will be performed at night in order to minimize traffic impacts to motorists. All travel lanes on Route 22 will be maintained during daytime hours, though occasional, overnight ramp closures will be necessary. Detour signs will be guide motorists as needed

The $579,000 project will construct a new auxiliary lane along Route 22 eastbound between Vauxhall Road and Highland Avenue to provide a safer entrance onto the highway, and create a new deceleration lane for the Route 22 eastbound exit loop-ramp to Vauxhall Road. In addition, the loop-ramp from Route 22 eastbound to Vauxhall Road will be improved to accommodate large truck movements. Modifications will be made to the existing triangular grass island located between Route 22 eastbound and the eastbound entrance ramp. A new triangular concrete island will be constructed at Highland Avenue.

NJDOT will also resurface Route 22 eastbound within the half-mile project limit. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2011.

Variable message signs will notify Route 22 motorists of all traffic pattern changes. Motorists are also encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information.