Browning Road Overpass Now Open!

A few days ago the new Browning Road overpass finally opened, and opened sooner then expected. In the first two pictures you can see the temporary bridge on the right, the removal process has begun for this. There are sidewalks on both sides of the new overpass but the one on the right is closed off because of the work being done at either end to remove the temporary overpass. 

 

This week there are overnight closures on Rt 42 to allow for the removal of the bridge deck on the temporay overpass, you can see the area that was removed over the south bound lane. It appers the overpass will be removed the same way it was installed. It will be slid off to the cemetary side and diassembled piece by piece. The redish column on the left is a temporary support that will be needed to hold up the end of the overpass as it is pulled away. 

Browning Road Overpass June 2025

The new Browning Road overpass is nearing completion and word is that it will open on June 13th. You can see in the pictures below that is is pretty much complete and the last step is to do the final layer of asphalt and redirected traffic from the temporary bridge to the new overpass. 

You can also see in the last picture that they have started to install the supports that will be needed to remove the temporary bridge which I assume will happen soon. This is a major milestone since this piece holds up the next steps in the project.  

Direct Connect May 2025

Here is a look at the work going on at the old ramp from 42 South to 295 South. The old ramp is being removed to prepare of the completion of where the new main line overpass will link into 295 South.  

Direct Connet May 2025

Here is a look at the  support columns being built betwen the north and south bound lanes of 42. Some of these will be for the new 295 mainline overpass, others will be for the ramp from 42 north to 295 north. You can see the start of that ramp on the right which was built quite some time ago. 

With the ramp to 295 south now re-routed is has freed up space for other work in this area. Here the foundation for another support column is being contstructed. 

Here is a look at the old ramp to 295 south. The barriers have been removed and they have started to clean up the side of the slope. The retining wall for the new 295 mainline will eventually continue into this area. 

Browning Road Overpass April 2025

Here are some pictures of the current state of the Browning Road overpass. Utility lines have been installed and rebar placed for the bridge deck. Equipment to smooth the concrete has been put in place so pouring of the concrete bridge deck should happen soon. 

 

Direct Connect April 2025

 

Now the the rebuild of the collapsed wall is getting closer to completion work has sped up on various aspects of the project. First let's look at the new retaining wall.

The main section of the wall is now complete and work has started on the section that will become the abutment where the steel overpass starts. Water proofing has been applied to the lower section of the wall and this will eventually be backfilled with earth. 

Here is another view showing one of the forms for the end wall where the abutment will be. The columns in the forground will evenutally carry the new 295 main line overpass. 

On the south bound side there is now a new traffic pattern right after the Al-Jo curve. The road now splits with the right two lanes taking the new ramp to 295 South, and the left lane continuing to 42 South. This traffic lane shift has openen up more space between the two sets of south bound lanes to allow for construction of more overpass supports. 

The new ramp was built some time ago and this is the first time it is carring traffic. This ramp will eventually be the one from 76 East to 295 South. 

Work continues on the overpass supports between the north bound and south bound lanes. One of the first ones build has recived it's concrete cap which was prefabricated piece of concrete instead of being pored in place. Behind it is another support and there is progress on more a little further south which isn't shown in the pictures. 

Direct Connect March 2025

 
Work continues on the new retaining wall the replaced the collapsed section. The wall now connects up to the remainder of the old wall. This wall was poured in place concrete but was given a texture to look like the panels used in the other walls. The bottom of the wall has had water proofing installed and earth will eventually be sloped up to that height. 

With the one end of the wall complete work has started at the other end where the bridge abutments will be. 

Near the Browning Road overpass a support is being constructed that wil eventually hold up the 295 main line overpass which will go over Browning Road making this a three level interchange. 

Another support is being built in that same area closer to Rt 42.

Just after the Al-Jo curve work has begun to prepare for an upcoming lane shift. Soon, traffic wanting to contuine south bound on 295 will be routed onto the new ramp on the right which will eventually connect 76 East to 295 South. This will allow the south bound lanes to be shifted ot the right making room to build more overpass supports.