NJDOT announces start of Route 49
Cohansey River Bridge replacement project

(Trenton) - Commissioner Kris Kolluri today announced that the New Jersey Department of Transportation will replace the Route 49 Cohansey River Bridge in Bridgeton, Cumberland County starting November 2.

“Replacing the existing bridge with a wider structure will improve traffic flow and safety for motorists and pedestrians on Route 49,” said Kolluri.

This $14 million project will replace the existing Route 49 Cohansey River Bridge and its approaches from milepost 25.2 to milepost 25.7. NJDOT will widen the travel lanes, upgrade traffic signals and roadway lighting, replace the mainline roadway drainage system and install new sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks. Construction is scheduled to be completed in June 2009.

NJDOT will implement the following new traffic patterns in order to replace the Cohansey River Bridge.

• From November 2, 2007 through April 2009, left turns from Route 49 will be prohibited except at the eastbound approach to Pearl Street.
• From November 2, 2007 to December, 2007, the westbound right lane of Route 49 will be closed.
• From January 2008 to July 2008, both eastbound travel lanes will be closed. Motorists will be diverted to the westbound roadway, which will be temporarily reconfigured to provide one lane in each direction.
• From August 2008 to June 2009, both westbound lanes will be closed. Traffic will be shifted to the newly constructed eastbound lanes, which will be temporarily reconfigured to provide one lane in each direction.

NJDOT has installed Variable Message Signs along Route 49 and will advise motorists of upcoming traffic pattern changes and construction schedules.