Bell Road Bridge over
Interstate 295 to be closed this weekend

Traffic will be shifted as the next phase of the project begins

(Trenton) – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced a local traffic detour this weekend as work on the Bell Road Bridge over Interstate 295 advances as part of the ongoing Direct Connection project in Bellmawr and Mt. Ephraim, Camden County.

NJDOT's contractor, PKF Mark III, will close all local traffic across the Bell Road Bridge over I-295 from 10 p.m. Friday, March 21, to approximately 5 a.m. Monday, March 24, to repave the approaches to the newly built northern half of the bridge and then shift traffic onto the new structure.

• The detour will use Browning Road (CR 659) and Black Horse Pike (Route 168). Emergency personnel will not be able to cross the Bell Road Bridge during the weekend closure.

The Bell Road bridge has been restricted to a single travel lane (on the southbound side) serving both directions since July with traffic being controlled by two temporary traffic signals positioned at each end of the bridge.

Once the approaches are paved on the northbound side of the bridge , the new portion of the bridge will be opened - with the single lane traffic operation shifted to the northbound side. Work will then begin to replace the southbound half of the Bell Road Bridge. This phase of the project is expected to be completed in the Summer 2014. Overnight lane closures are permitted as necessary on I-295 underneath the bridge during construction.

This work is part of the Direct Connection project that will provide a seamless route for I-295 motorists traveling through the interchange of I-295, I-76, and Route 42. The Bell Road Bridge improvements are part of the $160 million Contract 1, which includes 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 fall of 2015.

The Direct Connection 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.