LOWER MAKEFIELD, PA – Weather permitting, a nearly four-day-long uninterrupted single-lane travel pattern will be in effect on I-295 WB approaching the Yardley-Newtown Road/PA Route 332 interchange (Exit 8) from late Sunday night to Thursday afternoon.
The travel restriction will enable Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project work crews to engage in a “high-intensity construction cycle” (HICC) involving deep-depth excavation, milling and paving activities.
The resulting single-lane pattern, however, is expected to cause backups and delays during evening-peak commuting periods – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Because of this, the Bridge Commission is urging motorists who make their daily “reverse commutes” through the affected I-295 WB segment to adjust their driving schedules, or allow additional time to reach their destinations, or plan alternate routes.
The HICC is scheduled to be put into effect 10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, and remain in place until 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. If rain forecasts affect the potential execution of work, the HICC could be postponed/rescheduled.
When implemented, the single-lane pattern will start after the Pennsylvania Welcome Center and continue to the Yardley-Newtown Road/PA Route 332 interchange (Exit 3). All of the interchange’s ramps are to remain in service.
The full schedule of possible Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project travel restrictions for the week of October 25 is as follows:
Pennsylvania side
- I-295 WB between Quarry Road and the Yardley-Newtown Road/PA Route 332 interchange (Exit 8) – Reduced to a single lane (one travel lane instead of two) uninterrupted/continuous 10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. Motorists should expect congestion and delays during evening commuting periods – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26; Tuesday, Oct. 27; and Wednesday, Oct. 28.
- River Road/PA Route 32 – Possible intermittent traffic stoppages controlled by flaggers 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, to Friday, Oct. 30.
- I-295 WB (PA-Bound) in vicinity of the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge – Intermittent off-peak single-lane pattern permitted west of the bridge 7 p.m. to 2 p.m. (next day) Monday, Oct. 26, through Friday, Oct. 30.
- I-295 EB and the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge (NJ-bound) – Intermittent off-peak single-lane travel 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. (next day) Monday, Oct. 26, through Friday, Oct. 30.
- Taylorsville Road north of I-295 – Intermittent single-lane patterns with possible flagger-controlled travel 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, to Friday, Oct. 30.
- Taylorsville Road south of I-295 – Intermittent single-lane patterns with possible flagger-controlled travel Monday, Oct. 26, to Friday, Oct. 30.
- Woodside Road/Taylorsville Road Intersection – Intermittent lane closures controlled by flaggers 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, to Friday, Oct. 30.
New Jersey side
- 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, Oct. 26, through Friday, Oct. 30.
- I-295 SB (NJ-Bound) – Intermittent off-peak single-lane pattern permitted 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. (next day) Monday, Oct. 26, through Friday, Oct. 30.
- Route 29 SB Bypass Lane – Continuing 24/7 closure with traffic shifted through the adjoining I-295/Route 29 interchange’s connector ramps and roundabouts for travel toward Trenton or onto I-295. ALSO, periodic traffic stoppages controlled by flaggers may be necessary in the detour area Monday through Friday.
- Route 175/Upper River Road – Daytime closure with thru-traffic detoured in both directions to nearby Route 29 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, to Friday, Oct. 30.
- NJ Route 175/Upper 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.
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
No project-related lane closures are scheduled for the weekends of Oct. 24-25 and Oct. 31-Nov. 1 except for the long-term NJ Route 29 SB bypass lane diversion and detour indicated above. Single-lane pattern to go into effect on I-295 WB near the Newtown interchange (Exit 8) 10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25.
Delaware Canal Towpath (PA side) – Sporadic daytime closure/stoppages possible 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays for project-related construction activities through October; open on weekends.
Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath (NJ side) – Daily closure/stoppages possible 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays now through October. These restrictions – when implemented – will allow for construction of a connecting path and access ramp to the shared-use bike-ped facility that is expected to open on the new Scudder Falls Toll Bridge in late summer/early fall 2021. Canal path open on weekends.
More information on the Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project is available at www.scudderfallsbridge.com.
