I-76 westbound ramp closures this weekend
and new traffic pattern to begin next week

Motorists should remain alert through construction zone

(Trenton) – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced the weekend closure of two I-76 westbound ramps and a new traffic pattern that will be implemented next week as the Direct Connection project advances in Mt. Ephraim and Gloucester City, Camden County.

At 9 p.m. tonight, Friday, May 30 through approximately 5 a.m. Sunday, June 1, I-76 westbound Exit 1C (Market Street) and Exit 1D (Route 130 northbound) will be closed. NJDOT’s contractor, PKF Mark III, will continue its work to fully reconstruct the Route 130 northbound ramp and install drainage inlets and do electrical work on the Market Street ramp.

The following detour will be in place:

• Motorists on I-76 westbound will be directed to stay right and take the I-676 split (Exit 2) to Collings Road (Exit 1) westbound. From there motorists take I-76 eastbound to Exit 1C (Route 130 southbound) to the Market Street Exit to Route 130 northbound.

New traffic pattern begins next week

Beginning 8 p.m. Tuesday June 2, until about 5 a.m. Wednesday, June 3, the I-76 westbound Exit 1C (Market Street) and Exit 1D (Route 130 northbound), will be closed, as well as the right lanes of Route 42 northbound/I-76 westbound. All Route 42 northbound traffic will be directed to the two express lanes that are shifted onto the eastbound roadway using a temporary median crossover after Exit 1B and just past the Browning Road overpass before Market Street, leaving three lanes on the existing westbound roadway.

Route 295 southbound Exit 26 to I-76 westbound also will be closed overnight with a signed detour. Motorists will be directed to Exit 25A (Delsea Drive) to I-295 northbound to Route 42 northbound/I-76 westbound.

NJDOT's contractor, PKF Mark III, will install barrier curb to split traffic in the existing I-76 westbound lanes for about one mile to create a work zone. By 5 a.m. Wednesday, June 3 the new traffic pattern will be in place.

Motorists wishing to use Exit 1C (Market Street) and Exit 1D (Route 130 northbound) will need to stay in the right lane. This traffic pattern will be in place for the next several weeks.

Variable message signs are being utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists of all traffic pattern changes associated with Direct Connection. Throughout the project, NJDOT will provide information before upcoming lane closures or traffic shifts.

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 I-76 reconstruction in the Market Street area is part of the $160 million Contract 1, which includes work along I-295 south of Essex Avenue, and the replacement of the Creek Road and Bell Road bridges.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.

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.