Overnight closures announced for Essex Avenue underneath Interstate 295 in Bellmawr
Overpass demolition work advances $160 million
Direct Connection contract 1
(Trenton) - NJDOT officials today announced a series of overnight closures of Essex Avenue, which runs underneath Interstate 295 in Bellmawr, for bridge demolition operations as part of the ongoing Direct Connection project in Camden County.
As of last night, NJDOT’s contractor, PKF Mark III, has begun closing the local roadway - located just north of Creek Road – nightly between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. The overnight closures are anticipated to continue for approximately the next two weeks for this stage of work as the contractor demolishes a section of the I-295 overpass spanning Essex Avenue. The work zone on I-295 above Essex Avenue has been established with construction barrier so this work will not require any additional lane closures on I-295.
• Motorists on Creek Road destined for points north to I-295 will be directed to stay on Creek Road to Bell Road to W. Browning Road to Victory Drive to Essex Avenue.
• Motorists north of the bridge destined for Creek Road and points south of I-295 will be directed to use W. Browing Road to Bell Road to Creek Road.
• Cross County Connection has a map of the detour routes available here
The $160 million Direct Connection Contract 1 began construction in March, to address sections 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 are being 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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