| Q. |
Why
are we doing this work? |
| A. |
A large percentage
of the existing concrete
pavement slabs are
cracked and faulted.
The concrete is experiencing
Alkali Silica Reaction
(ASR). The existing
concrete pavement joints
are intermittently
faulting, spalled and
patched in multiple
locations. |
| |
|
| Q. |
What
is rubblization? |
| A. |
Rubblization is
a construction and
engineering technique
that saves time and
construction costs
by reducing the existing
concrete into rubble
at its current location.
The concrete travel
lanes on I-295 will
be "rubblized" using
specialized drive
construction equipment
(rubblizing machines)
that reduces the
existing concrete
pavement into small
pieces to create
a crushed, high-quality
aggregate base for
the new asphalt pavement.
This technique saves
the time and expense
of excavating and
transporting the
old concrete, payment
for disposal or recycling
and purchasing and
transporting new
base materials for
the replacement asphalt
pavement. The result
is a smoother pavement
surface with a longer
life cycle than would
be obtained if a
layer of asphalt
were instead applied
to the unbroken concrete
surface. |
| |
|
| Q. |
How
will motorists learn
about changing traffic
patterns? |
| A. |
The New Jersey
Department of Transportation
(NJDOT) will provide
information on its 511NJ
Travel Information
Web site, on
variable message
signs in the travel
corridor and radio
traffic services. |
| |
|
| Q. |
How
will the contractor
close lanes? |
| A. |
The contractor
will close lanes
using the appropriate
advance signing in
coordination with
the State Police
and according to
the detailed Traffic
Control/Staging Plans. |
| |
|
| Q. |
What
is the estimated construction
duration? |
| A. |
The estimated construction
duration is 21 months.
Construction
began February
2010 and will be completed
by November 2011.
As
of November 2011,
the project is
substantially complete.
Lanes will be closed
as needed for the
installation of
permanent guide
rail and Intelligent
Transportation
Systems (ITS) devices.
The estimated completion
of this work is
Fall 2012. |
| |
|
| Q. |
Are
there certain months
when construction will
be the heaviest? |
| A. |
The bulk of the work
on the northbound roadway
will occur in in summer
2010 and the southbound
roadway will occur
in summer/fall 2010. |
| |
|
| Q. |
What
will be the traffic
patterns in the summer
months? |
| A. |
During summer
2010 (mid June
to late July)
I-295 northbound
will be closed for
motorists from Exit
45 to Exit 57. I-295
northbound traffic
will be crossed over
the median onto the
I-295 southbound
roadway, which will
have two lanes in
each direction (separated
by a temporary concrete
barrier curb).
During summer/fall
2010 (early August
to early October)
I-295 southbound
will be closed for
motorists from Exit
57 to about a mile
north of Exit 45.
I-295 southbound
traffic will be crossed
over the median onto
the I-295 northbound
roadway, which will
have two lanes in
each direction (separated
by a temporary concrete
barrier curb). |
| |
|
| Q. |
Will
the construction require
any of the I-295 ramps
to be closed and detoured? |
| A. |
Yes, specific ramps
at each of the interchanges
within the project
limits (at Exits 45,
47, 52, 56 and 57)
will be closed at designated
times during construction.
The construction staging sequence
was designed to minimize
the duration of ramp
closures. Most of the detour routes
will be implemented
during mid June to
late October
2010. |
| |
|
| Q. |
Who
is the NJDOT Project
Manager and the Resident Engineer? |
| A. |
Mahesh Patel is
the NJDOT Project Manager
who manages the day
to day design activities.
William Gaus is the Resident Engineer. He and other NJDOT staff will be available on site during all construction-related activities.
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