Freeholder Ian Leonard has been informed by the New Jersey Department of Transportation that a new traffic pattern on I-76 westbound that will be implemented tonight as part of the Direct Connection project in Mt. Ephraim and Gloucester City, Camden County.
“Whenever you are driving through a road construction zone, please stay prepared for traffic pattern changes and be observant of instructions on the electronic message boards,” said Leonard, liaison to the Camden County Department of Public Works. “Residents should be aware that this construction will impact their commute and their communities for several years.”
Beginning 8 p.m. tonight, Thursday June 5, until about 5 a.m. Friday, June 6, the I-76 westbound Exit 1C (Market Street) and Exit 1D (Route 130 northbound), will be closed, as well as the three right local lanes of Route 42 northbound/I-76 westbound.
All Route 42 northbound traffic will be directed to the two express lanes that are shifted onto the eastbound roadway using a temporary median crossover after Exit 1B and just past the Browning Road overpass before Market Street.
I-295 southbound Exit 26 to I-76 westbound also will be closed overnight. The following detours will be in place:
I-76 westbound Exit 1C (Market Street) and Exit 1D (Route 130 northbound) Detour:
• Motorists on I-76 westbound will be directed to stay right and take the I-676 split (Exit 2) to Collings Road (Exit 1) westbound. From there motorists take I-76 eastbound to Exit 1C (Route 130 southbound) to the Market Street Exit to Route 130 northbound.
I-295 southbound Exit 26 to I-76 westbound Detour:
• Motorists on I-295 southbound will be directed to Exit 25A (Delsea Drive) to I-295 northbound to Route 42 northbound/I-76 westbound.
A barrier curb will be installed to split traffic in the existing I-76 westbound local lanes for about one mile with a single local lane to the left and two local lanes to the right with a work zone in between. By 5 a.m. Friday, June 6 the new traffic pattern will be in place.
Motorists wishing to use Exit 1C (Market Street) and Exit 1D (Route 130 northbound) will need to stay in the right local lane. This traffic pattern will be in place for the next several weeks.
Variable message signs are being utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists of all traffic pattern changes associated with Direct Connection. Throughout the project, NJDOT will provide information before upcoming lane closures or traffic shifts.
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 real-time travel information.
