Route 322 traffic pattern shift planned on bridge
over Big Ditch in Hamilton
(Trenton) - NJDOT officials today announced an upcoming traffic pattern change on Route 322 (Black Horse Pike) as bridge reconstruction operations enter the next stage over the Big Ditch creek in Hamilton Township, Atlantic County.
NJDOT’s contractor, Agate Construction, is scheduled to set up the new construction zone on the westbound side of the bridge on Thursday, May 24. To accommodate that work, NJDOT will shift two-way traffic onto the newly rebuilt eastbound portion of the bridge and restore a second westbound lane. Once the new traffic pattern is in place, Route 322 will carry two westbound travel lanes and one eastbound travel lane over the bridge. NJDOT staged the construction to provide two westbound travel lanes during the summer season to accommodate the increase in traffic returning from shore destinations on weekends.
Prior to this stage change, Route 322 has been reduced to one travel lane in each direction since the project began construction in January.
The $3.6 million project is replacing the existing, structurally deficient at-grade bridge in both directions and will resurface the bridge approaches. The existing bridge was built in 1930 and is located near milepost 43, about midway between Weymouth Road and Tamminen Road. A photograph of the ongoing construction efforts is available here.
Approximately 18,000 vehicles use this bridge every day to cross the Big Ditch creek in Lake Lenape Park, but that number rises in the summer season. NJDOT has scheduled the construction in stages so that Route 322 will remain open to traffic in both directions at all times. Variable message signs will notify motorists of upcoming traffic pattern changes.
NJDOT anticipates the project being completed in spring 2013.
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 real-time travel information.
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