EWING, NJ – For the first time in two months, motorists will begin to encounter new travel restrictions as the Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project advances into a new phase of construction.
On the Pennsylvania side, work crews are expected to begin lifting steel beams into place on a new approach bridge that will one day carry I-295 New Jersey-bound traffic across Taylorsville Road toward the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge’s downstream span, currently under construction in the river. Sporadic off-peak daytime traffic stoppages lasting up to 15 minutes will be utilized on Taylorsville Road for this work.
Meanwhile, on the New Jersey side, 10-foot high steel girders will be delivered and lifted into place during overnight hours where the Scudder Falls Bridge’s downstream span crosses NJ Route 29. A series of ramp and lane detours will be utilized in and around the interchange for this work.
Next week will begin with a continuation of the Memorial Day holiday travel weekend lane-closure moratorium. This period begins 6 a.m. Friday, May 22, and ends noon Tuesday, May 26.
The full list of scheduled project-related travel restrictions for the week of May 24 is as follows:
New Jersey side
- New/Overnight – Route 29SB lanes beneath the Scudder Falls Tolls Bridge and corresponding entry ramp onto I-295 SB – Both the bypass and connector lane/I-295SB access ramp beneath the bridge will be closed and detoured overnight 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (next day) on Thursday, May 28, and Friday, May 29. Detours: Approaching the interchange from Washington Crossing and Lambertville, follow detour signs for Route 29 SB by bearing right onto NJ Route 175/Upper River Road, proceed to a stop sign, make a right onto West Upper Ferry Road/Route 175, and proceed to the traffic light at Route 29. Make a left turn for Route 29 SB; make a right turn for accessing a ramp for entry onto I-295SB.
- New/Overnight – Route 29SB ramp in the vicinity of the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge – Both the bypass and connector lanes beneath the bridge will be closed and detoured overnight 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (next day) on Thursday, May 28, and Friday, May 29. Detour: Approaching the interchange from Washington Crossing and Lambertville, follow detour signs for Route 29 SB by bearing right onto NJ Route 175/Upper River Road, proceed to a stop sign, make a right onto West Upper Ferry Road/Route 175, and make a left at the traffic light onto Route 29 SB.
- New/Overnight – I-295SB exit ramp to Route 29 NB (first exit in New Jersey after crossing the bridge from Pennsylvania) – Closed and detoured overnights 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (next day) on Thursday, May 28, and Friday, May 29. Detour: After exiting, follow detour signs for Route 29 NB by proceeding through the roundabout onto Route 29 SB, keep left to the first the first traffic light, turn left onto West Upper Ferry Road/NJ Route 175, proceed to the next left onto Upper River Road/NJ Route 175, and follow that for merge with Route 29 NB above the interchange.
- New/Overnight – I-295NB exit ramp to Route 29 SB (last exit in New Jersey before crossing the toll bridge into Pennsylvania) — Closed and detoured overnights 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (next day) on Thursday, May 28, and Friday, May 29. Detour: After exiting I-295, follow detour signs for Route 29 SB by proceeding onto Route 29 NB and taking the first left turn for Scudder Falls Recreation Area and Route 175 SB (Bernhard Drive), quickly make a second left onto Route 175/Upper River Road, proceed to a stop sign, make a right onto West Upper Ferry Road/Route 175, and make a left at the traffic light onto Route 29 SB.
- New/Overnight – Route 29NB connector ramp that provides access for entry ramp onto I-295 NB/WB and the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge (PA-bound) – Closed and detoured overnights 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (next day) on Thursday, May 28, and Friday, May 29. Detour: Follow detour signs for I-295 WB by taking ramp off roundabout for travel onto I-295 SB, proceed to first exit (County Route 579/Bear Tavern Road), make left at top of ramp (traffic light), cross over I-295, bear right onto entry ramp for I-295 NB, and proceed toward Scudder Falls Toll Bridge where I-295 NB becomes I-295 WB on the Pennsylvania side.
- Route 175/Upper River Road – Closed weekdays with thru-traffic detoured in both directions to nearby Route 29 noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, to Friday, May 29.
- Route 29 SB Bypass Lane – An around-the-clock closure with a shift of traffic through the adjoining I-295/Route 29 interchange’s connector ramps and roundabouts for travel toward Trenton and other points south.
- I-295 NB (PA-Bound) – Intermittent off-peak single-lane pattern extending onto the new completed upstream span of the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge 7 p.m. to 2 p.m. (next day) Tuesday, May 26, through Friday, May 29.
- I-295 SB (NJ-Bound) – Intermittent off-peak single-lane pattern permitted noon to 6 a.m. (next day) Tuesday, May 26, and 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. (next day) Wednesday, May 27 through Friday, May 29.
- NJ Route 175/River Road Entry Ramp to I-295 SB – 24/7 closure continuing through spring 2021. DETOUR: Use the southern roundabout at the nearby I-295/Route 29 interchange to access the on-ramp for I-295 SB
Pennsylvania side
- New — Taylorsville Road in the vicinity of I-295 – Periodic off-peak stoppages lasting up to 15-minutes 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28.
- I-295 WB (PA-Bound) – Intermittent off-peak single-lane pattern – if needed for construction activities – permitted west of the new Scudder Falls Toll Bridge 7 p.m. to 2 p.m. (next day) Tuesday, May 26, through Friday, May 29.
- I-295 EB and the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge NJ-bound – Off-peak intermittent single-lane travel – if needed for construction activities – noon to 6 a.m. (next day) Tuesday, May 26, and 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. (next day) Wednesday, May 27, through Friday, May 29.
- Taylorsville Road north of I-295 – Intermittent single-lane patterns with possible flagger-controlled travel noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, to Friday, May 29.
- Taylorsville Road south of I-295 – Intermittent single-lane patterns with possible flagger-controlled travel noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, to Friday, May 29.
- River Road/PA Route 32 – Possible intermittent traffic stoppages controlled by flaggers noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Monday, May 26, and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, to Friday, May 29.
The aforementioned scheduled travel restrictions are subject to change due to weather, emergencies, traffic, and equipment/materials mobilization. Motorists are urged to allow extra time to reach their destinations, reduce speeds and exercise caution when travelling through project work areas.
Weekends
Memorial Day holiday weekend – A moratorium on project-related travel restrictions is scheduled to begin 6 a.m. Friday, May 22, and continue until noon, Tuesday, May 26. Aside from the uninterrupted NJ Route 29 SB bypass lane closure, no project-related lane closures are scheduled for the weekend of May 30-31.
Delaware Canal Towpath (PA side) – Intermittent daytime closures possible 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays for overhead I-295 approach bridge construction through June; open on weekends.
Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath (NJ side) –Intermittent daytime closures possible Mondays through Fridays through June.
More information on the Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project is available at www.scudderfallsbridge.com.
