Bell Road traffic pattern restriction announced over Interstate 295 in Camden County
Local bridge replacement is a key component of $160 million
Direct Connection contract 1
(Trenton) - NJDOT officials today announced a local traffic restriction on the Bell Road bridge over Interstate 295 has been implemented as part of the ongoing Direct Connection project in Bellmawr and Mt. Ephraim, Camden County.
On Friday, July 5, NJDOT’s contractor, PKF Mark III, closed the eastern (northbound) side of the Bell Road bridge over I-295 to set up a new construction zone. The Bell Road bridge has been restricted to a single travel lane (on the southbound side) serving both directions with traffic being controlled by two temporary traffic signals positioned at each end of the bridge. The temporary signals were operating on yellow flash through the past week in preparation for the new traffic pattern.
This traffic pattern is expected to remain in place for approximately six months as the contractor replaces that half of the bridge. Once completed, the new portion of the bridge will be opened - with the single lane traffic operation shifted to the northbound side - as work then begins to replace the southbound half of the Bell Road bridge. Overnight lane closures are permitted on I-295 underneath the bridge.
In early March, state officials broke ground on the $160 million Contract 1 which will carry out work along I-295 south of Essex Avenue, along I-76 in the Market Street area, and along two Route 42 ramps. The Creek Road and Bell Road bridges will be replaced and several stretches of roadways will be temporarily widened to accommodate work under future contracts. Work under this first contract is expected to be completed in the summer of 2015.
The project has been divided into four separate construction contracts, with completion of the fourth and final contract in the fall of 2021. NJDOT’s project website provides construction activity schedules and updates.
Additional portable variable message signs are being utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to the motoring public of all traffic pattern changes associated with Direct Connection.
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.
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