I-78 toll plaza

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission announced $12.6 million in work on its stretch of I-78, which includes the toll plaza entering Pennsylvania. (Sue Beyer | lehighvalleylive.com file photo)

A multimillion-dollar project on Interstate 78 beginning this summer could have traffic impacts that last more than a year in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission this week announced the approval of two contracts totaling $12.6 million for work on its 7-mile stretch of the highway on both sides of the river.

"While this isn't a large project, it is strategically important," said Joe Resta, the commission's executive director. The I-78 bridge is the commission's most-used crossing and, he said, one of the most a heavily used trucking routes in the country.

Work will include improvements at over- and underpasses approaching the Delaware River span and painting new stripes on the entire stretch, the commission said in a news release.

Activity is expected to begin this summer, take a hiatus over the winter, pick back up in spring and conclude in the fall of 2018, the commission said.

Lane closures and shifts in traffic will be announced at each stage of the project.

A construction contract of $11.1 million was awarded Tuesday to J.D. Eckman Inc. of Atglen, Pa. Another contract worth $1.5 million for construction management and inspection services was given to Greenman-Pedersen Inc. of Lebanon, N.J.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.