Watch out, drivers: Turnpike exit 7A partially closing for a month

Southbound drivers on the New Jersey Turnpike headed for Trenton or the Shore should be aware of a major exit closure that starts Wednesday.

The southbound exit ramp from the car lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike at exit No. 7A for Interstate 195 will close starting Wednesday for about a month, according to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.  This will allow for the replacement of steel plates that were not made to specifications during the Turnpike widening project and are being replaced at the expense of the contractor that did the original work.

The ramp will be closed around the clock, although work will only go on at night and may require the closure of some truck lanes. The closed car lanes pass over those truck lanes.

"The bridge was designed to last 75 years. We do not want future generations of New Jerseyans to have to replace it before the end of its expected life because of an error made during construction.” said Turnpike Chief Engineer Robert Fischer in a statement.

New Jersey 101.5  traffic anchor Bob Williams said drivers headed to I-195 will have to pay attention to which lanes they get into.

"Otherwise they'll have to get off at  exit No. 8 for Route 133 and takeR oute 130 south to I-195. Or, get off at #7 for Route 206 and take it north to I-195," he said.

The work is expected be complete in time for the Thanksgiving travel season.