New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced that Route 18 northbound is scheduled to be closed and detoured tonight at Rues Lane as a pavement project advances in East Brunswick, Middlesex County.

Beginning at 9:30 p.m. tonight, Thursday, June 13, until 4:30 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, June 14, and again on Friday night, June 14, at the same time, Route 18 northbound is scheduled to be closed from Rues Lane to Racetrack Road. The closure is necessary for gas main work. The following detour will be in place:

Route 18 northbound:

• Motorists on Route 18 northbound will be directed to turn right onto Rues Lane
• Turn left onto Old Bridge Turnpike/CR 527
• Turn left onto Racetrack Road
• Turn right onto Route 18 northbound

This work is part of the $86.1 million federally funded Route 18, East Brunswick, Drainage and Pavement Rehabilitation project that will make repairs on approximately four and a half miles of Route 18 in East Brunswick, Middlesex County. Work includes milling and paving, improvements to the drainage systems and storm water basins, utility relocation, installation of new sidewalks and ADA-compliant curb ramps and upgrading guiderail. Improvements will also be made to various intersections throughout the project limits. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2026.

Variable messaging signs are being utilized to provide advance notification to the motoring public of all traffic pattern changes associated with the work. The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors.

Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on X (Twitter) @NewJerseyDOT or on the NJDOT Facebook page.