Construction crews for the Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project are expected to implement a continuous traffic shift next week along the northbound lanes of I-95 between the Route 332/Newtown/Yardley interchange (Exit 49).
The lane shift will restrict northbound traffic to the left lane and adjoining outside shoulder, which was recently strengthened to carry highway-speed traffic. Temporary drainage also has been installed at various locations along the roadway in advance of the impending traffic shift.
Once established, the resulting pattern will be narrower – two 11-foot-wide lanes instead of the current 12-feet widths – without shoulders. The new configuration will remain in effect 24/7 to allow for work in the highway median, ultimately widening the affected roadway segment to three lanes in each direction instead of the current two lanes in each direction. (A corresponding shift of the southbound lanes was implemented earlier this month.)
Before roadway reconstruction can begin, however, the contractor will need to install concrete barriers along the entire length of the median work area next to the northbound lanes. Drainage, grading and retainer-wall installation work also will need to be completed.
The lane shift implementation is currently scheduled for the overnight period Tuesday, July 25, into the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 26. However, the lane shift could be postponed by a day if all preparations are not completed in time or if there are unanticipated delays due to weather. (An update will be issued early next week.)
Elsewhere in the project area, the following travel restrictions currently are scheduled for the week of July 23:
Pennsylvania side
- I-95 north – Single-lane pattern possible from the Route 332/Newtown-Yardley interchange (Exit 49) to the Scudder Falls Bridge 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. (following day) Monday, July 24, through Friday, July 28; traffic shift to be implemented overnight either Tuesday, July 25, or Wednesday, July 26.
- I-95 south PA – Single-lane pattern possible from the Scudder Falls Bridge to the Route 332/Newtown-Yardley interchange (Exit 49), 8 p.m. to 2 p.m. (following day) Monday, July 24, through Friday, July 28.
- Woodside Road between River Road and Taylorsville Road – Alternating single-lane patterns with flaggers 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, to Friday, June 28.
- River Road/Route 32 – Alternating single-lane patterns with flaggers 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, July 24 to Friday, July 28.
New Jersey side
- Route 175/River Road – alternating single-lane traffic pattern controlled by flaggers 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and full closures in the vicinity of the I-95 overpass 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (following day) Monday, July 14, through Friday, July 28. Note: On-ramp to I-95 northbound will be inaccessible during the overnight closure periods; detour routes posted for affected motorists. (The work along Route 175/Road Road is for underground relocation of utility lines. This work is now expected to continue into late August.)
Weekends: Drainage/earth-moving activities are scheduled at various locations on Saturday, July 22, but lane closures are not expected to be needed for this work. No work is currently scheduled for Sunday, July 23; Saturday, July 29; or Sunday, July 30.
The scheduled travel restrictions listed above are subject to change due to weather, emergency, traffic, and project mobilization considerations Motorists are urged to reduce speeds and exercise caution when traveling through active work zones.
Due to changing travel patterns, narrower lane configurations and possible traffic queuing at some locations, motorists are encouraged to allow extra time to reach their destinations when traveling I-95 through the project work zone.
Bridge construction update: Unrelated to the scheduled travel restrictions, preparations continue to advance on both sides of the river for the construction of the replacement bridge’s first span – immediately upstream of the current bridge. Earthwork has been conducted in the staging areas where temporary trestle causeways will be extended out into the river for purposes of constructing the new bridge’s upstream support piers. Land-based trestle causeway construction with heavy equipment and cranes is now underway; the causeway work at the New Jersey location has progressed to the point where it can soon extend into the river. Once in place, the temporary trestle causeways will allow for the construction of masonry piers that will support the upstream span of the Scudder Falls Replacement Bridge. PA bridge abutment and NJ-side bridge pier construction is poised to start next week.
More information and videos on the bridge replacement project are available at www.scudderfallsbridge.com.
