New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials announced the overnight closure and detour of the I-76 eastbound Exit 1B ramp to I-295 northbound, and lane closures on I-295 northbound before the covered roadway to re-stripe travel lanes on Friday night as the Direct Connection project advances in Bellmawr, Camden County.
Motorists should expect heavy congestion on I-295 northbound at the merge from I-76 eastbound and Route 42 northbound and are advised to seek alternate routes on Friday night, May 10.
The current roadway configuration has two lanes of traffic coming from the I-76 eastbound Exit 1B ramp into the covered roadway to I-295 northbound and three lanes of traffic coming from I-295 northbound/Route 42 northbound into the covered roadway. Shortly after the five travel lanes come out of the covered roadway they are reduced to four lanes.
Overnight work on Friday, May 10 will re-stripe I-295 northbound to move the merge from five lanes to four lanes approximately a quarter-mile north of its present location to just before the Bell Road overpass. The re-striping will add a right shoulder on I-295 northbound from the covered roadway through the Bell Road overpass. In order to re-stripe the roadway, the following ramp and lane closures are necessary:
I-76 eastbound Exit 1B ramp to I-295 northbound closed and detoured
Beginning at 10 p.m., Friday, May 10 until 8 a.m. Saturday, May 11, NJDOT’s contractor, Conti Enterprises, is scheduled to close and detour the I-76 eastbound ramp at Exit 1B to I-295 northbound. The following detour will be in place:
I-76 eastbound detour
- Motorists traveling on I-76 eastbound wishing to take I-295 northbound will be directed to continue on I-76 eastbound
- Stay to the left and take Exit 1A to I-295 southbound
- Take I-295 southbound to Exit 25A/Route 47
- Take the ramp to I-295 northbound
I-295 northbound lane closures
Also beginning at 10 p.m., Friday, May 10 until 8 a.m. Saturday, May 11, two out of three lanes on I-295 northbound will be closed starting at Browning Road before the covered roadway. One lane will be maintained at all times.
The work is part of the $900 million Direct Connection project that will provide a seamless route for I-295 motorists traveling through the interchange of I-295, I-76, and Route 42. The Direct Connection project has been divided into four separate construction contracts, with completion of the fourth and final contract expected in the fall of 2024.
Portable variable message signs are being utilized to provide advance notification to the 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 real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info.
