DELAWARE WATER GAP - The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission urged I-80 motorists to begin planning ahead for the onset of lane closures and resulting traffic backups as construction activities escalate next week for the installation of Express E-ZPass/Open Road Tolling(ORT) service at the Delaware Water Gap (I-80) Toll Bridge.

"We want motorists to begin planning now for traffic impacts that will arise once construction activities move into full gear next week," said Frank G. McCartney, the Commission's executive director. "Up to half of the toll plaza's lanes could be closed to traffic during portions of this project and this could cause traffic backups and some delays after the Labor Day weekend."

Both eastbound and westbound motorists should prepare for the upcoming traffic pattern changes to be put in place in the area of the bridge's toll plaza:

• 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 7, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, September 8 - workers will implement an eastbound lane shift and close the two far left westbound toll plaza lanes. The resulting eastbound lane shift and two toll plaza lane closures will be long-term, remaining in place until Express E-ZPass service becomes operational in November.
• 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 8, to 5 a.m. Thursday, September 9 - the eastbound left travel lane will be closed to traffic. (An additional eastbound left travel lane closure may be necessary from 8 p.m. Thursday, September 9, to 5 a.m. Friday, September 10.)
• Beginning the evening of Sunday, September 12, two additional left toll plaza lanes will be closed to westbound traffic during off-peak periods - 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. weeknights (Sunday/Monday through Thursday/Friday). This will result in only four toll plaza lanes being opened during non-weekend overnight periods. (The contractor may utilize up to four off-peak toll plaza lane closures for the duration of the Express E-ZPass lane installation work.)
• Beginning Saturday, September 18, and continuing through Friday, September 24, a one-week-long round-the-clock closure of the four left toll plaza lanes will be in effect. This means only four lanes will be in service at the toll plaza at all times during this period. Westbound I-80 motorists are likely to encounter significant delays during this period, especially during peak driving times.

To inform the public about the approaching traffic impacts, variable message boards have been placed along the highway around the bridge and a Project Update is being distributed via e-mail to public officials, stakeholders and other interested parties. A posting also has been placed on the New Jersey Department of Transportation's 511 Travel Alert system.

When completed, the Express E-ZPass/Open Road Tolling project will enable E-ZPass-equipped motorists - cars, buses, motorcyclists and trucks (but not permit load vehicles) - to pay tolls electronically while traveling at highway speeds. The project's contract calls for the Express E-ZPass lane to be made operational by November 22, 2010, just in time for the busy Thanksgiving weekend.

The public can learn more about the project by visiting the Delaware Water Gap (I-80) Toll Bridge ORT/Express E-ZPass Project webpage at: www.drjtbc.org/watergapexpress.