EWING, NJ – The first significant project-related roadway closure and detour of 2020 has been rescheduled to start TUESDAY, Jan. 21, when the NJ Route 29 NB bypass roadway will be shut down around-the-clock for up to four weeks on the New Jersey side of the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge.
(Note: The Route 29 NB bypass closure previously was announced to start on Monday, but has been rescheduled to start Tuesday, Jan. 21)
The 24/7 roadway closure will allow for the next phase of excavation and drainage-installation work to be conducted within the I-295/Route 29 interchange (Exit 76) as part of the continuing Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project.
The bypass roadway allows Route 29 northbound motorists to circumnavigate the interchange’s network of ramps and roundabouts for travel toward Washington Crossing and Lambertville. The planned roadway closure should not affect traffic on the bridge, on I-295 or Route 29 SB.
During the closure period, diverted motorists are advised to follow signs for Route 29 NB through the interchange’s connector ramps and roundabouts for reconnection with mainline Route 29 NB on the upstream side of the interchange. (CLICK HERE TO VIEW DETOUR MAP)
Travel impacts and delays are not expected with the exception of weekday evening-peak commuting periods — 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Commuters are urged to allow additional time to reach their destinations if they plan to use the interchange during weekday evening peak travel periods. All motorists also are advised to remember that motor vehicles within a roundabout always have the right of way; motorists seeking entry into a roundabout must yield to traffic already in a roundabout.
The full schedule of travel restrictions for the Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project for the week of January 19 is as follows:
New Jersey side
- Route 29 NB Bypass – Around-the-clock closure with traffic diversion through I-295/Route 29 interchange’s connector ramps and roundabouts to Route 29 NB upstream of the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge, starting roughly 6 a.m. TUESDAY, Jan. 21. The closure is currently scheduled to be in place for one week, but it could be extended three more weeks if traffic impacts do not exceed projections. (CLICK HERE TO VIEW DETOUR MAP)
- I-295 NB (PA-Bound) – Intermittent off-peak single-lane pattern extending onto the new completed span of the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge 7 p.m. to 2 p.m. (next day) Monday, Jan. 20, to Friday, Jan. 24.
- I-295 SB (NJ-Bound) – Intermittent off-peak single-lane pattern permitted 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. (next day) Monday, Jan. 20, to Friday, Jan. 24.
- Route 29 SB & NB in the vicinity of Scudder Falls Toll Bridge – Intermittent FLAGGER-controlled travel 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, to Friday, Jan. 24.
- NJ Route 175/River Road in the vicinity of the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge –Intermittent alternating single-lane travel with traffic controlled by flaggers 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, to Friday, Jan. 24.
- NJ Route 175/River Road Entry Ramp to I-295 SB – 24/7 closure continuing until 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
- 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) Monday, Jan. 20, through Friday, Jan. 24.
- I-295 EB approaching the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge and continuing across the bridge to NJ where the designation becomes I-295 SB – Off-peak intermittent single-lane travel – if needed for construction activities – 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. (next day) Monday, Jan. 20, through Friday, Jan. 24.
- Taylorsville Road north of I-295 – Intermittent single-lane patterns with possible flagger-controlled travel 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 20, to Friday, Jan. 24.
- Taylorsville Road south of I-295 – Intermittent single-lane patterns with possible flagger-controlled travel 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, to Friday, Jan. 24.
- River Road/PA Route 32 – Possible intermittent traffic stoppages controlled by flaggers 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, to Friday, Jan. 24.
The aforementioned scheduled travel restrictions are subject to change due to weather, emergency, traffic, and equipment/materials mobilization considerations. Motorists are urged to allow extra time to reach their destinations, reduce speeds and exercise caution when travelling through project work areas.
Weekends
Aside from the uninterrupted closure of the NJ Route 29 bypass roadway at the I-295/Route 29 interchange, no project-related lane closures are scheduled for the weekends of Jan. 18-19 and 25-26.
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 January; open on weekends.
Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath (NJ side) – Scheduled to be open through January.
More information on the Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project is available at www.scudderfallsbridge.com.
