CNBNews

Alternating traffic necessary on Browning Road during bridge installation

(Trenton) - New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced a lane closure on I-295 northbound and alternating traffic on Browning Road tomorrow, Friday, July 30 to begin installation of the temporary Browning Road Bridge as part of the Direct Connection project in Bellmawr, Camden County. 

Beginning at 6 a.m. Friday, July 30 until 2 p.m., NJDOT’s contractor, South State, Inc. is scheduled to close the westbound lane on Browning Road between Ivy Ridge Road and Victory Drive with alternating traffic using the eastbound lane. The closure is necessary to provide a buffer while the temporary Browning Road Bridge is pushed into place.

From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., the right lane on I-295 northbound is scheduled to be closed just past the Creek Road overpass before Exit 26 where the highway splits for I-76 toward Philadelphia/I-295 toward Trenton. The closure will continue past Browning Road to allow the contractor to continue the installation of the temporary Browning Road Bridge. If work is completed earlier, the lane will reopen sooner.

The temporary bridge will be located north of the existing bridge and carry two lanes of traffic, pedestrians, and utilities during construction of the new Browning Road Bridge. It will be assembled in three main sections.  As each section is completed, it will be pushed or launched into place. 

The first push will result in an approximately 100-foot section of the temporary bridge beyond the east abutment and will stop short of the northbound lanes.  The first 60 feet of the bridge will be aligned and moved into place starting at 6:30 a.m.. After the morning commute, the I-295 northbound right lane will be closed to allow the bridge to be pushed an additional 40 feet. The second push, expected in the next week or two, will extend the temporary bridge across all of Route 42 northbound to the center pier in the median and partially over the Route 42 southbound lanes.  The third push will extend the temporary bridge across all lanes of Route 42 northbound and southbound to the west abutment. 

After the entire temporary bridge is installed, there will be several additional weeks of work before traffic is shifted from the existing bridge to the temporary bridge. This includes completing the approaches, installing deck panels, securing utilities, and completing the pedestrian walkway. The temporary bridge is expected to be in service in the fall.

Once traffic is on the temporary bridge, the demolition of the existing bridge and construction of new median piers can begin.  The demolition will be conducted overnight to minimize impacts to traffic. The temporary bridge is expected to be in use for approximately 18 months.

The work is part of the 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. To sign up for I-295 Direct Connect project updates go to295DirectConnect.com or text CONNECT to 1-844-844-3681.

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 @NewJerseyDOT or on the NJDOT Facebook page.