Attention Drivers: Construction Shift on 295 starting June 7

The NJ Department of Transportation today put out a letter announcing changes to the construction schedule on Route 295, between exits 45 and 57. For more details, see the letter below from Commissioner Simpson.

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Dear Legislator,

I am writing to inform you of a significant change in an ongoing road reconstruction project that may affect your constituents. As you know, we are in the process of rebuilding a 12-mile section of Interstate 295 in Burlington County, from Interchange 45 (Rancocas-Mt. Holly Rd. in Westampton) to Interchange 57 (Route 130 in Bordentown).

We are accelerating the project schedule in an attempt to complete the work by the end of the year. This will cut about nine months from the project completion date and minimize inconvenience to motorists. It also will ensure a safe and smooth driving surface on all lanes before the return of harsh winter weather that would further deteriorate the roadway.

Starting on the morning of Monday, June 7 and continuing for approximately five days, NJDOT will close one southbound lane of the highway, reducing capacity from three lanes to two. We anticipate congestion for evening peak-period traffic.

For one week, from Monday, June 14 to Friday, June 18, motorists will have the full complement of three lanes available to them for peak-period, peak-direction travel.

On Friday, June 18, the project enters a new phase with significant traffic shifts and capacity reduction in peak and non-peak hours. After the morning peak period, and continuing through August, all three lanes of northbound traffic will be shifted to the southbound side of the highway. Northbound and southbound traffic will share four lanes, two lanes for northbound traffic and two for southbound traffic, separated by concrete barriers.

Numerous detours will be employed at interchanges. Details are available on our webpage, www.nj.gov/transportation, by clicking on the “I-295 Pavement Rehabilitation” link.

We anticipate peak-period, peak-direction congestion, and will use Variable Message Signs to provide actual travel times through the construction zone and will also post suggested alternate routes, such as Route 206, Route 130 or the New Jersey Turnpike. Motorists are encouraged to call 511 or visit www.511nj.org for up-to-the-minute travel information.

Once the northbound lanes are rebuilt, traffic will be shifted to them to allow us to start the reconstruction of the southbound lanes. We have accelerated this project to minimize inconvenience to motorists. All lanes in both directions should be rebuilt and open to traffic by the end of the year.

Sincerely,

Jim Simpson
NJDOT Commissioner