EWING, NJ – The next major facet of construction prior to completing the Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project is tentatively scheduled to begin next week within the I-295/Route 29 interchange (Exit 76) in Ewing Township, N.J.
The two connector lanes that link the two roundabouts on each side of the interchange will be shut down without interruption for four weeks. The travel restriction is tentatively set to begin prior to the morning peak commuting period on or about Monday, Nov. 8.
This will be the last significant set of continuous detours for the 4-1/2-year-long project which got underway in May 2017 and is on track to reach substantial completion before the winter holiday period in December.
Overall motorist impacts due to the connector lane closures should be mitigated by the fact that all other construction within the I-295/NJ Route 29 interchange has already been completed. Through travel along I-295 will be unaffected. Through travel along Route 29 also should be unaffected as both the northbound and southbound bypass lanes will be open when the roundabout connector lanes are closed.
Only four travel movements between I-295 and Route 29 will be affected when the two connector lanes between the roundabouts are closed and detoured. Detour maps for these four traffic movements are attached. They also may be viewed and downloaded at www.scudderfallsbridge.com.
The affected travel movements will be:
- I-295 SB exit ramp to Route 29 NB after crossing the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge into New Jersey from Pennsylvania (Green map) – Detour: (Follow posted detour signs for Route 29 and Route 29 NB) Upon entering New Jersey, continue on I-295 SB past Exit 76; proceed roughly two miles to exit ramp for Scotch Road northbound (Exit 73A); follow the loop ramp onto Scotch Road northbound and cross I-295; keep right and take the entry ramp for I-295 northbound; enter I-295 NB and proceed to the I-295/Route 29 interchange (last exit before toll); take the Exit 76 ramp; skirt east side of the roundabout to the first off ramp; proceed onto Route 29 NB for travel toward Washington Crossing, Lambertville and other points north. (CLICK HERE TO VIEW DETOUR MAP)
- I-295 NB exit ramp to Route 29 SB (Orange map) – Detour: (Follow posted detour signs for Route 29 and Route 29 South) On I-295 NB, take the Exit 76 ramp for Route 29 (last exit before toll); skirt east side of the roundabout to the first off ramp; proceed north on Route 29 (yield sign) a short distance to the first intersection and Scudder Falls Recreation Area (intersection with Bernard Drive); make keep left turn and then another left turn onto NJ Route 175/Upper River Road; proceed south to first stop sign at intersection of West Upper Ferry Road; turn right at stop sign; proceed on Route 175 to intersection with Route 29 (traffic signal); turn left on green to enter Route 29 SB for travel toward Trenton and other points south. (CLICK HERE TO VIEW DETOUR MAP)
- NJ Route 29 SB connection to I-295 SB (Lavender map) – Detour: (Follow posted detour signs for Interstate 295 and South Interstate 295) Prior to reaching the interchange, Route 29 SB traffic will be diverted onto nearby Route 175/Upper River Road; proceed on Route 175/Upper River Road to the first stop sign and intersection with West Upper Ferry Road; turn right; proceed on Route 175/Upper Ferry Road to intersection with Route 29 (traffic signal); turn right onto Route 29 northbound; keep left and veer off Route 29 into roundabout and first ramp onto I-295 SB for travel toward Princeton and other points south. (CLICK HERE TO VIEW DETOUR MAP)
- NJ Route 29 NB connection to I-295 NB/WB and the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge Pennsylvania-bound (Blue map) — Detour: (Follow posted detour signs for West Interstate 295) At the I-295/Route 29 interchange’s south roundabout; skirt the roundabout’s east side and take the entry ramp for I-295 SB; proceed roughly two miles to exit ramp for Scotch Road northbound (Exit 73A); follow the loop ramp onto Scotch Road northbound and cross I-295; keep right and take the entry ramp for I-295 northbound; enter I-295 NB and proceed back toward the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge for travel into Pennsylvania where the highway becomes I-295 WB. (CLICK HERE TO VIEW DETOUR MAP)
The detours will enable construction crews to reconstruct the two lanes that connect the interchange’s roundabouts. The lanes cross beneath the dual-span Scudder Falls Toll Bridge and are the only remaining sections that have not been reconstructed as part of the bistate bridge project. Work during the four-week closure will include – but not be limited to – excavation, installation of drainage facilities, curbing, paving and striping.
Commuters who use the interchange are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time to reach their destinations while the lane closures are in effect.
The upcoming work is weather sensitive and the schedule could be changed if necessary in the weeks ahead. The closures and detours of the connector lanes is currently scheduled to end on or about December 3.
