Route 18 Northbound Right Lane To Close Friday for Months in East Brunswick

A major Route 18 overhaul is about to make traffic in East Brunswick a nightly adventure, with lane closures, full shutdowns and detours starting this week as crews kick off the next round of an $86 million rebuild.

The right lane shuts down at 9 p.m. Friday. Route 18 northbound between Racetrack Road and Arthur Street won't reopen until January 2026, according to the NJ Department of Transportation. Crews need the space to install drainage and fix curbs and sidewalks.

This work is part of an $86.1 million fix-up project. At least one business driveway will stay open while construction happens. Signs will warn drivers about changing traffic patterns.

But first, Route 18 southbound closes completely for three nights straight. The shutdown starts at 10 p.m. Wednesday and lasts until 5 a.m. Thursday between Tices Lane and Milltown Road. The same thing happens Thursday night and Friday night.

Workers will install a water main and drainage. Drivers heading south must turn right onto Tices Lane, then left onto Harts Lane, and left again onto Milltown Road to get back on the highway.

The federal government is paying for this massive project. It covers about four and a half miles of roadway in East Brunswick. Crews will mill and pave, fix drainage systems and storm water basins, move utilities, build new sidewalks and ADA-compliant curb ramps, and upgrade guardrails.

Several intersections will get improvements too.

The whole thing wraps up in late 2027. Weather or other problems might change work schedules. Drivers should add extra time for trips and watch for detour signs.

Plan ahead. Traffic patterns will keep shifting as construction moves forward through the coming months.