Direct Connect August 2022

Work on the Direct Connect project continues to be focused on the Browning Road overpass replacement. The first of the new bridge abutment is nearing completion. 

42freeway.com is reporting that reconstruction of the collapsed section of the project should be starting in the fall, although the temporary lane closure for prep work mentioned in the article doesn't appear to have happened. 

https://42freeway.com/roads/njdot-on-direct-connection-reconstruction-of-the-wall-is-expected-to-begin-this-fall/

 

Missing Moves August 2022

 One of the big pieces of the missing moves project that has been awaiting completion is the ramp over Rt 42. The steel has been put up on both side of the highway but the piece over the road has been waiting on the construction of the middle support pier. Work has progressed far enough on either side of 42 that there is now room for the lane shift that is needed to clear room for the construction of the center support.

Here you can see the gap in the overpass. The south bound lanes of 42 have been shifter to the right. 

The temporary Jersey barriers along the ramp from 295 north have been removed to expose the permanent barrier and the lanes have been shifted to the right. 

New guardrails in place along 42 south. The conned off area will be the lane coming off the ramp from 295 north.

Here is a look at the lane shifts on 42 north. 

Direct Connect July 2022

Work continues on the new Browning Road overpass. With the retaining wall complete work has begun on the concrete cap of the abutment that will hold up steel supports.

A few days later concrete forms are in place.

Missing Moves July 2022

 The majority of the work on the southern portion of the Missing Moves project is now focused on the widening of 295 between the new ramps and Delsea Drive. 

Work has become on the north bound side of 295 to widen the bridge over Big Timber Creek. This is similar to the work that has been going on along the south bound side.

Side barrier has been removed in preparation for the widening. 

They have started to grade the area along north bound 295 between Big Timber Creek and the new ramp. The road will be widened into this area.

Land clearing along the south bound side of 295 to make room for the widening.

Widening work on the south bound side of 295 over the Big Timber Creek.

Move land clearing along south bound 295 leading up to Delsea Drive.

Missing Moves Creek Road Exit

 This week the new Creek Rd exit on 42 opened. Here is an older picture from Google Earth where you can see the start of the new exit. The blue arrows show the new exit which connect Benigno Ave where there is a new light. Going north on Benigno the last little section of the road, shown with the red X, has been closed off and the road realigned with Edgewood Ave. The yellow X shows the old exit which has now been closed off. 

Approaching the new exit.

The new light on Benigno Ave.

The re-alignment of Benigno.

Here you can see the old exit closed off.

Going South on Benigno back to the exit.

Direct Connect June 2022

Work on the Direct Connect Project continues to be focused on the re-construction of the Browning Road overpass. The support columns for the first bridge abutment have been completed and they have started to install the retaining wall in front of the columns.

Missing Moves May 2022 (42 side)

Let's take a look at the Route 42 section of the Missing Moves project.

The ramp from 55 to 42 still has the traffic shifted to the right as they do work at the end of the ramp.

Route 42 is being widened between 55 and the new missing moves ramp.

The new exit from 42 onto Benigno Ave.

A view of the exit from Benigno Ave. 

The missing moves ramp where it will cross 42. For this to be completed they will first need to build a support column between 42 North and South. I believe they are waiting until work is finished widening 42 so they can shift lanes and make room for the construction in the median. 

The widening of 42 south.