Overnight Closures On I-295 As Direct Connect Project Continues

I-76 eastbound Exit 1B ramp to I-295 northbound will be closed overnight to implement a new traffic pattern, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) announced on Friday. The pattern will shift the I-76 eastbound ramp to I-295 northbound into a newly constructed covered roadway as the Direct Connection project advances in Camden and Gloucester counties.

Beginning at 9 p.m. on Feb. 22, NJDOT is scheduled to close and detour the I-76 eastbound Exit 1B ramp to I-295 northbound to restripe and install barriers to set up the traffic shift. In addition, the Route 42 northbound ramp to I-295 northbound will be reduced to one lane. One lane will be maintained at all times.

The new configuration will be completed by 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, depending on weather and other factors.

“Residents should be aware that in addition to this ramp closure, the ongoing construction will continue to impact their commute for the duration of the project,” said Freeholder Shin Angulo, liaison to the Camden County Department of Public Works. “When this project is completed, it will alleviate much of the traffic congestion currently experienced on a daily basis. It will be a monumental change for this highway interchange creating a substantial upgrade to the current configuration.”

The following detour will be in place:
I-76 eastbound to I-295 northbound detour
(9 p.m. Friday, February 22 until 8 a.m. Saturday, February 23)
• Motorists traveling on I-76 eastbound wishing to take I-295 northbound will be directed to continue on I-76 eastbound
• Stay to the left and take Exit 1A to I-295 southbound
• Take I-295 southbound to Exit 25A/Route 47
• Take the exit to I-295 northbound

The new traffic pattern will have five lanes of traffic utilizing the newly constructed covered roadway – two lanes from I-76 eastbound and three lanes from Route 42 northbound.

Traffic using the Route 42 northbound ramp to I-295 northbound was shifted to the covered roadway on February 3 and reduced to two lanes at that time. The ramp will be restored to three lanes this weekend.

This traffic pattern will remain in place for several years as the mainline I-295 Direct Connection roadway is constructed. When the project is completed, a new Route 42 northbound ramp to I-295 will be opened, and only the traffic coming from I-76 eastbound will utilize the covered roadway.

Traffic signals have been installed prior to the covered roadway as a safety measure and are not intended to indicate whether a lane is open or not. The signals will display a steady GREEN, unless there is an incident in the covered roadway, at which time the display would be changed to RED to stop traffic and allow emergency responders to clear the incident.

The work is part of the $900 million Direct Connection project that will provide a seamless route for I-295 motorists traveling through the interchange of I-295, I-76, and Route 42. The Direct Connection project has been divided into four construction contracts, with completion expected in the fall of 2024. NJDOT's project website provides construction activity schedules and updates.

Variable message signs are being utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists of traffic pattern changes associated with Direct Connection.