Route 80 ’emergency’ work causing miles of delays for travelers

An emergency project on Route 80 created major traffic in both directions on Friday and again on Saturday.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation spokeswoman said Saturday that "a routine evaluation found loose concrete that needed to be removed and repaired" starting Friday. The agency has been providing updates on Twitter and at 511NJ.org.

The left lane was blocked east and west at the 109-year-old Delaware River Viaduct over the roadway near exit 4 for Route 46 in Knowlton, according to a photo posted by the New Jersey Herald.  The photo shows workers on lifts above the roadway.

New Jersey Fast Traffic's Bob Williams said the timing of the work is the worst possible time for this to happen for commuters trying to get away or back from the weekend in the Poconos.

"This is like the Parkway being down to one lane through Toms River on a Friday afternoon in the summer,"  Williams said.

Depending on your destination, the Route 46 bridge to Portland, Pennsylvania, in an immediate alternative in that area, according to Williams.

"If you're going to the southern Poconos or Lehigh Valley, use Route 78 or 22. Northern-most Pocono travelers should consider the Route 206 bridge to Milford, Pennsylvania," Williams said.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ

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