NJDOT announces traffic pattern changes on Route 295 in Gloucester County

(Trenton)- New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Kris Kolluri today announced upcoming traffic pattern changes to I-295 in Gloucester County as the Department’s roadway rehabilitation project advances.

Beginning on Friday, February 29, NJDOT will reduce traffic in each direction from three lanes to two. Southbound traffic will be shifted to the right lane and right outside shoulder, while northbound traffic is shifted onto the southbound side of the roadway. The Exit 17 Swedesbro Avenue/Harmony Road (CR-680) on and off ramp on I-295 northbound will be closed, and a local detour will be put in place. The Exit 18 Berkley Road (CR-678)/West Cohawkin Road (CR-667) on and off-ramps will remain open for the majority of the work, but will need to be closed on occasion with a posted detour. This traffic pattern is expected to be in place for approximately two months.

NJDOT began the $77 million rehabilitation of Route 295 from Exit 14 (Repaupo Road) to Exit 24 (Route 45) in Gloucester County in June 2007. The project runs through the townships of Logan, Greenwich, East Greenwich, West Deptford and the Borough of Paulsboro. Project completion is expected in summer 2009. The existing roadway is seriously deteriorated and in need of a complete rehabilitation.

NJDOT will reduce construction time by approximately eight months and increase the life of the pavement by 25 years by paving all of the roadway’s lanes simultaneously. This paving method eliminates the formation of longitudinal cracks between lanes that commonly result from paving each lane individually.

NJDOT installed a real-time work zone travel system along the project route. This system monitors traffic in the work zone and relays travel time data to Variable Message Signs that alert motorists of the projected time to travel from their current location through the construction zone. Ten Variable Message Signs are in place along Route 295 and local roadways to alert motorists of upcoming construction activities and traffic pattern changes.

Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website, www.njcommuter.com, for project updates.