New Ramp To Ease Difficult Road Merge In New Jersey
TRENTON, NJ (CBS) – A new ramp is set to make life easier for the thousands of commuters who face the I-295-Route 42 merge on a daily basis.
NJDOT announced Thursday that the interim ramp will allow traffic to exit Route 42 North and connect directly with 295 North. There will be a median to separate Route 42/I-76 traffic from 295 northbound traffic, eliminating the need for drivers to cross lanes.
In preparation for the ramp's opening, one lane of I-295 North will be closed near the Creek Road overpass from 9 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11 through about 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12th in order for crews to install new overhead signs, a barrier curb and striping. One travel lane will remain open during the construction.
According to NJDOT, drivers should expect overnight delays. The following detours will be posted:
From I-295 northbound toward I-76 westbound/I-676/Walt Whitman Bridge
• I-295 northbound motorists will be directed to Exit 28, Route 168/North Black Horse Pike, to I-295 southbound to Exit 26, I-76 westbound.
From Route 42 northbound toward I-295 northbound
• Route 42 northbound motorists will be directed to Exit 1C, Market Street to I-76 eastbound to I-295 northbound.
Exit 1B on Rt 42 northbound now will be relocated approximately a half-mile before its present location; motorists will encounter this new ramp just past the Creek Road overpass.
Motorists on I-295 northbound will still be able to access I-76 westbound, either by Exit 26 or via a new Exit 27 left exit ramp, which will be located just beyond the Browning Road Overpass.
The merge separating the two roadways is set to open on Sunday and remain in use for "several years." NJDOT says it's the first landmark of the $900 million federally funded project.