EWING, NJ – Two travel pattern changes are scheduled to go into effect Wednesday along the portion of NJ Route 29 that passes beneath I-295 in the vicinity of the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge.
First, during Wednesday morning, Feb. 26, the Route 29 NB bypass lane around the I-295/Route 29 interchange (Exit 76) will reopen to traffic, ending a roughly five-week-long detour that allowed for excavation and drainage installation work along the bypass roadway.
Second, shortly after the reopening of the Route 29 NB bypass, work crews are expected to barricade the nearby Route 29 SB bypass lane for a variety of project-related construction activities. Affected Route 29 SB traffic will be shifted to the immediately adjoining service lanes and roundabouts for travel through the interchange toward Trenton and other points south. The new pattern is scheduled to be put in place around noon Wednesday. (CLICK HERE TO VIEW DETOUR MAP)
The Route 29 SB bypass lane closure and corresponding traffic diversion is currently scheduled to be in place as a test pattern for one week. But if the new travel restriction and diversion route work as anticipated, the duration of the lane closure and traffic shift will be extended for up to 18 months.
Motorists who travel along this small portion of Route 29 SB are advised to allow extra time to reach their destinations as commuters adjust to the new travel pattern next week. Commuters are most likely to encounter brief delays and backups during weekday morning-peak travel periods – 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. This could especially be the case on the first morning the new travel pattern is in place – Thursday, Feb. 27.
NOTE: Traffic on the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge, both directions of I-295, and Route 29 NB is not anticipated to be affected while the Route 29 SB diversion plan is in place.
The full schedule of travel restrictions for the Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project for the week of February 23 is as follows:
New Jersey side
- Route 29 NB Bypass – The 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 is scheduled to end before noon Wednesday, Feb. 26. Until then, travel through the interchange’s roundabouts and connector ramps for reconnection with mainline Route 29 NB for travel toward Washington Crossing. (CLICK HERE TO VIEW DETOUR MAP)
- Route 29 SB Bypass – 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 is scheduled to begin approximately noon Wednesday, Feb. 26. (CLICK HERE TO VIEW DETOUR MAP)
- 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) Monday, Feb. 24, to Friday, Feb. 28.
- I-295 SB (NJ-Bound) – Intermittent off-peak single-lane pattern permitted 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. (next day) Monday, Feb. 24, to Friday, Feb. 28.
- Route 29 SB & NB in the vicinity of Scudder Falls Toll Bridge – Intermittent FLAGGER-controlled travel 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, to Friday, Feb. 28.
- 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
- 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, Feb. 24, through Friday, Feb. 28.
- 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, Feb. 24, through Friday, Feb. 28.
- Taylorsville Road north of I-295 – Intermittent single-lane patterns with possible flagger-controlled travel 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, to Friday, Feb. 28.
- Taylorsville Road south of I-295 – Intermittent single-lane patterns with possible flagger-controlled travel 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, to Friday, Feb. 28.
- River Road/PA Route 32 – Possible intermittent traffic stoppages controlled by flaggers 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, to Friday, Feb. 28.
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 respective closures of NJ Route 29 bypass lanes, no project-related lane closures are scheduled for the weekends of Feb. 22-23 and Feb. 29-March 1.
Delaware Canal Towpath (PA side) – Intermittent daytime closures possible 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays for overhead I-295 approach bridge construction now through March; open on weekends. Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath (NJ side) – Scheduled to be open now through March.
More information on the Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project is available at www.scudderfallsbridge.com.
