EWING, NJ – The one-week test pattern of the NJ Route 29 SB traffic shift through the I-295/NJ Route 29 interchange is working as anticipated and all expectations are the recently established travel pattern will remain in place without interruption for up to 18 months.
The interchange’s Route 29 SB bypass lane closed to traffic mid-day Feb. 28. Affected Route 29 southbound traffic has since been diverted – without any major incidents – through the interchange’s adjoining connector ramps and roundabouts for travel toward Trenton and other points south. (CLICK HERE TO VIEW DETOUR MAP) 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 March 8 is as follows:
New Jersey side
- 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. (CLICK HERE TO VIEW DETOUR MAP)
- Route 29 NB Bypass – Reopened Feb. 28.
- 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, March 9, to Friday, March 13.
- I-295 SB (NJ-Bound) – Intermittent off-peak single-lane pattern permitted 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. (next day) Monday, March 9, to Friday, March 13.
- Route 29 SB & NB in the vicinity of Scudder Falls Toll Bridge – Intermittent FLAGGER-controlled travel 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, March 9, to Friday, March 13.
- 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, March 9, through Friday, March 13.
- 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, March 9, through Friday, March 13.
- Taylorsville Road north of I-295 – Intermittent single-lane patterns with possible flagger-controlled travel 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, March 9, to Friday, March 13.
- Taylorsville Road south of I-295 – Intermittent single-lane patterns with possible flagger-controlled travel 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, March 9, to Friday, March 13.
- River Road/PA Route 32 – Possible intermittent traffic stoppages controlled by flaggers 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, March 9, to Friday, March 13.
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 NJ Route 29 SB bypass lane closure, no project-related lane closures are scheduled for the weekends of March 7-8 and 14-15.
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.
CONSTRUCTION NOISE ADVISORY – The project contractor is engaged in a high-intensity construction cycle through the first half of March in order to comply with a regulatory-agency-imposed restriction on river-bottom disturbance. As a result, noise-intensive construction activities are expected to continue through next week in the area of the bridge during overnight periods. The high-intensity construction cycle is scheduled to end March 15, when a 106-day moratorium on river-bottom disturbances will take effect. The environmental restriction is aimed at protecting three endangered species: short-nosed sturgeon and two types of fresh-water mussels.
