Photo Update May 2014

42 North just before the 295 north bound ramp to 42. They are in the process of building the supports for the new ramp that will go along the side of the old one. You can just see the rebar cages for the support columns behind the red container.

Another view of the same area. The yellow cylinders are forms for the support columns.

Piles being driven in between the new interim ramp to 295 North and the old 295 North to 42 ramp. I assume this will also be part of the new ramp.

A closer view of this work.

The new retaining wall along 42 North between the 295 ramps. Not much going on here at the moment.

They continue to raise the area next to 295 South right before the Al-Jo curve. It appears that the new highway will be a bit higher then the current one.

They have started to construct the paths to the temporary pedestrian bridge over 42 next to the Creek Road overpass. Work to re-construct this overpass will likely start soon.

The median between 295 North and South, South of Essex Ave has been paved right up to the new Essex overpass and a new median barrier has been installed. This barrier was cast in place so it probably permanent. They have also prepped the land on the other side of the Essex Ave overpass and it looks like it will be paved soon.

This container recently showed up along 295 by the Black Horse Pike. Conti is the contractor for the second phase of the construction and they have already started work. They appear to be doing some work around the Blackhorse Pike exit, and have also started to do some land clearing in other area.

Land has been cleared by the 76 North to 295 North along the Al-Jo curve.

They have started to clear the trees along St Mary’s Cemetery.

Photo Update 4/12/2014

Here are some pictures from the last two weeks.

 

First half of the Bell Road overpass is complete and now being used by traffic. Work doesn’t appear to have started yet on the other side.

 

 

A lot of work going on along side 295S just before the Al-Jo curve. The new retaining wall is being installed and they have started to back-fill the area to bring it back up to the finished road height. The south bound lanes of 295 will eventually shift out into this are as work continues.

 

 

These pictures were taken from the Al-Jo curve looking back towards 76. A new retaining wall has been constructed along 76 separating it from the pond within the curve.

 

A concrete paving machine was installed at the Essex Ave overpass last week. Since then is has been removed, so I believe the concrete has been poured for the overpass deck.

 

Paving work has been going on in the median between 295 North and South just south of Essex Ave.

 

 

The temporary pedestrian bridge has been installed over 42 next to Creek Road. This will carry pedestrians and utilities while the re-construction of the Creek Road over pass is done. This will work just like Bell Road where half the bridge is demolished and re-build while the other half carries one-way traffic.

 

Another show of the pedestrian bridge from 42. In the background you can also see work going on along the ramp from the southern portion of 295 to 42 North. Eventually a new ramp will be built next to the old one.

Another shot of the work going on at the 295 ramp to 42 North.

 

Work going on along the new interim ramp fro 42 North to 295 North.

They have started installing new noise barriers along the interim ramp.

Photo Update 2/9/2014

Permanent retaining walls have started to go up along 295N right before the Al-Jo curve. They have also started to backfill this area to bring it back up road level.

42 North between the 295 north bound ramps. Permanent retaining walls are in the works. The tower on the left side of the picture will eventually support a new overpass.

The new interim 295 ramp from 42 has finally opened.

interim 295 ramp with another overpass support.

Picture taken from Creek Road of work going on in the 42 median right before the 295 north bound ramp. Since this picture was taken they have started to install sheet pile along the side of the 295 ramp.

Work along Creek Road. This might be the support for the temporary pedestrian overpass that is going to be built. This will be needed when they start re-constructing the Creek Road overpass.

Work along Essex Ave between 295 Northbound and Southbound lanes.

Work along Essex Ave between 295 Northbound and Southbound lanes.

NJDirectConnection.com

NJDot has a put up a very nice web site all about the direct connect project, http://njdirectconnection.com/. This site provides a lot of information on the project, construction updates, and new releases. It also has a very nice interactive map where you can see what will be involved in each phase of the project.

 

Pictures 1/12/2014

Here are two pictures of the work going on along Essex ave. This gap between the north and south bound lanes of 295 will eventually get closed up to accommodate the new 295 overpass.

 

New permanent retaining wall along 42 north between the 295 ramps

 

 

Another picture of the new retaining wall. The concrete structure on the left will eventually be a support column for the new 295 overpass.

Photo Update 12/7

Decking work has started on the Bell road overpass.

Another view of the Bell road overpass.

Retaining wall is going at the Essex Ave overpass between the North and Southbound lanes of I295.

Work still being done on the interim ramp from 42 North to 295 North.

Some parts for an overhead sign structure have shown up along the side of 42N just before Creek Rd.

This is the ramp from 42N to 295N. It appears that traffic is soon going to be moved to the left onto some newly paved road.

Construction Activities

NJDOT has posted a new list of construction activities for the next couple months.

 

Construction Activities

November 2013 to January 2014*

Route 42 from Creek Road to Browning Road

• Construction and completion of new 60" drainage pipe and 18" sanitary main that cross under Route 42

  Anticipated traffic changes:
  Route 42 southbound traffic will be shifted to the left in the initial stage and then shifted to the right for the final stages.
  I-295 southbound ramp traffic will be shifted to the right in the initial stages and then shifted to the left for the final stage.

• Construction of ground improvements for retaining wall and embankment areas
• Construction of retaining wall foundations and portions of retaining walls and noise barriers
• Continued construction and opening of new interim ramp from Route 42 northbound to I-295 northbound

  Anticipated traffic changes:
  Route 42 northbound: The opening of the new Interim Ramp AA, right after the Creek Road overpass, will allow Route 42 northbound traffic to access I-295 northbound without the weaving traffic that existed before.

• Construction of temporary pedestrian bridge across Route 42 for Creek Road pedestrians
• Construction of new overhead sign structures

I-295 from Creek Road to Route 42

• Construction of center portion of new I-295 bridge over Essex Avenue

I-295 from Route 42 to Route 168

• Construction of ground improvements for retaining wall and embankment areas
• Construction of retaining wall foundations and portions of retaining walls on I-295 southbound
• Construction of culvert extension at Al-Jo's curve

Creek Road

• Utility relocations (ongoing)
• Construction of new sanitary sewer, east of Route 42
• Construction of new traffic signals at the intersections with Harding Avenue and at Edgewood Avenue. Includes new curb and sidewalk.

Edgewood Avenue

• Construction of drainage facilities near Creek Road intersection
• Restriping roadway to a three-lane section near Creek Road intersection

Bell Road

• Utility relocations (ongoing)
• Construction of northern half of Bell Road bridge. Southern half remains with one-lane traffic signal operation. (ongoing)

 

February 2014 to April 2014*

Route 42 from Creek Road to Browning Road

• Construction and completion of retaining wall foundations and portions of retaining walls and noise barriers

I-295 from Creek Road to Route 42

• Continued construction of center portion of new I-295 roadway and I-295 bridge over Essex Avenue

I-295 from Route 42 to Route 168

• Construction of retaining wall foundations and portions of retaining walls on I-295 southbound

Creek Road

• Utility relocations (ongoing)
• Completion of new traffic signals at the intersections with Harding Avenue and at Edgewood Avenue.
• Construction of northern half of Creek Road bridge. Southern half remains with two-way traffic operation. (ongoing)

Bell Road

• Utility relocations (ongoing)
• Construction of southern half of Bell Road bridge. New northern half used with one-lane traffic signal operation. (ongoing)

Browning Road/Fir Place

• Completion of roadway work along Fir Place
• Construction of new sanitary sewer pump station on Browning Road

 

NOTE: Due to the need to maintain the existing number of traffic lanes during peak periods, there will be a significant amount of work to be done at night. Nighttime lane closures will occur periodically throughout construction.

*Timeframe is subject to contractor schedule and weather.