CNBNews

Closures necessary for barrier replacement and preparation for girder removal

(Trenton) – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced the I-76 eastbound ramp to I-295 southbound will be closed tonight and I-295 northbound ramp to I-276 westbound will be closed tonight and tomorrow night as the Browning Road Bridge demolition continues in Bellmawr, Camden County.

I-76 eastbound Exit 1A Closure

NJDOT’s contractor, South State, Inc., is scheduled to close the I-76 eastbound left lane before the Browning Road Bridge and the Exit 1A ramp to I-295 southbound beginning at 9 p.m. tonight, Monday, March 28 until 6 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, March 29. The closure is necessary to replace barriers. The following detours will be in place:

I-76 eastbound Exit 1A ramp to I-295 southbound detour:

• Motorists traveling on I-76 eastbound to I-295 southbound will be directed to take Exit 1B to I-295 northbound, which is before Exit 1A
• Take Exit 28/Route 168
• Turn left at the end of the ramp onto Route 168
• Take the ramp to I-295 southbound

I-295 northbound Exit 26 Closure

The I-295 northbound Exit 26, which becomes the left lane of I-76 westbound, is scheduled to be closed from 9 p.m. tonight, Monday, March 28 until 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, and again from 9 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, March 29, until 6 a.m. Wednesday, March 30.  The closure is necessary to prepare for the removal of girders from the Browning Road Bridge. The following detour will be in place:

I-295 northbound Exit 26 to I-76 westbound detour:

• Motorists traveling on I-295 northbound will be directed to continue on I-295 north to Exit 27
• Take the left Exit 27 ramp to I-76 westbound

In addition, the Route 42 northbound left lane and the two left lanes on I-76 westbound will be closed from 9 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, March 29, until 6 a.m. Wednesday, March 30. 

Overnight lane closures continue for several weeks

In the coming weeks, there will be lane closures on I-295, I-76, and Route 42 Monday through Friday nights to allow for the Browning Road Bridge demolition. The closures are scheduled to take place from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. the next day on I-295 southbound and I-76 eastbound/Route 42 southbound. Closures on I-295 northbound and Route 42 northbound/I-76 westbound will take place from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. the next day.

Typically, only two lanes of traffic in one direction will be closed at any one time with at least one lane open to traffic. To provide safety to workers and motorists, there is the possibility of temporary 15-minute traffic stoppages on some nights to accommodate the removal of bridge components that span additional lanes of traffic. In addition, there is the possibility for ramp closures and detours that have been used in the past, to provide additional safety.

The demolition of the Browning Road Bridge is beginning with the removal of pipe and conduit under the bridge, as well as installation of shielding under the bridge. When this work is complete, the deck will be removed and then the steel girders. Once the bridge structure over the I-295, I-76 and Route 42 is removed, demolition work will move to the east abutment and then to the west abutment. All of this work should be completed in the spring.

The work is part of the Direct Connect 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 to 295DirectConnect.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.