Drivers using the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission’s Route 78 bridge between New Jersey and Pennsylvania are in for some closed lanes during two overnight periods this week that is a prelude to a bigger construction project.

Parts of the Route 78 toll bridge approach roadway segments in New Jersey and Pennsylvania will be closed during between Thursday night into Friday morning.

Between 8 p.m. Thursday, April 25, to 5 a.m. Friday, April. 26, the Route 78 east center and right lanes will be closed for pothole repairs from the Morgan Hill Road/Route 78 interchange (Exit 75) in Pennsylvania to the routes 22 and 173/Route 78 interchange(Exit 3) in New Jersey. One lane will remain open.

Between 10 p.m. Thursday, April 25, to 7 a.m. Friday, April 26, the Route 78 west center and right lanes will be closed for pothole repairs from the routes 22 and 173/Route 78 Exit 3 interchange in New Jersey to the Route 78 bridge at the Delaware River. One lane will be open.

These closed lanes are the first part of a year-long, $23 million Route 78 New Jersey Roadway Rehabilitation and Power and Communications-Infrastructure Improvements Project being done by the Crisdel Group, Inc. of South Plainfield.

That New Jersey segment was rehabilitated between 2007 and 2009 and is deteriorating, despite a series of stop-gap asphalt joint replacements and pothole repair projects over the past five years, officials said.

The project involves milling the old pavement off they highway and repaving work, including the three commission owned ramps at Exit 3. Highway shoulders will be resurfaced and have rumble strips installed. The highway lanes will be re-striped and Route 78 Toll Bridge’s concrete road deck and 14 other Commission-owned approach bridges in Pennsylvania and New Jersey will be sealed, officials said.

The project also includes upgrading the Commission’s security camera network on the Route 78 bridge and the commission’s Route 78 approach 4.2-mile highway segment in New Jersey and 2.25-mile section in Pennsylvania.

Drivers should anticipate minor slowdowns and backups and reduce speeds in active construction zones or restricted travel areas.

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Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @CommutingLarry