Excavators and crews working on Route 18 Construction through the night Earle Company
Construction on Route 18 Continues
JUNE 23, 2026
As drivers inch through traffic on Route 18, one of East Brunswick’s busiest roads, many EB residents have found themselves spending more time on the road than ever before. The $86.1 million federally funded project aims to upgrade 60 year old infrastructure through pavement and drainage rehabilitation.
For new drivers, such as EBHS students with numerous responsibilities, even a small delay can have a noticeable impact. “The Route 18 construction is a major contributor to the traffic within the Town,” said EBHS junior Ruby Portnoy. “I worry about how the influx of people that are moving into the apartments near Route 18 along with the temporary lane closures will affect the traffic. It already takes twice as long to commute along Route 18 but I’m hoping the construction will be completed soon.”
EBHS junior Madeline Nonestied said, “I know construction is supposed to improve the road but sometimes it feels like it’s taking forever to finish. I’m excited to see the final result, but the delays from traffic can be frustrating.”
The Route 18 construction will restore all three travel lanes in both directions by the end of 2026, eliminating the long term lane closure.
Beyond longer travel times, some students said the construction interferes with attending extracurriculars and arriving at school on time during the peak hours of the early morning and afternoon traffic. While frustrations remain, residents agree that modernizing old infrastructure is important for the future of the town.
