New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced I-295 northbound and Route 42 northbound are scheduled to have a series of overnight lane and ramp closures next week for pothole repair resurfacing and striping work as the Direct Connection project advances in Bellmawr, Camden County.

Monday, March 18

Beginning at 8 p.m. Monday, March 18 until 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 19, Route 42 northbound will have two left lanes closed after Exit 14B/Benigo Boulevard through the I-76 eastbound Exit 1A overpass. At least one lane will be maintained during construction.

In addition, beginning at 9 p.m. Monday, March 18 until 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 19, the I-295 northbound old Exit 26/new Exit 27A (left exit), which becomes the left lane of I-76 westbound, will be closed and detoured. The left lane on I-295 northbound also will be closed beginning near the Creek Road overpass. At least one lane will be maintained. The following detour will be in place:

I-295 northbound old Exit 26/new Exit 27A (left exit) to I-76 westbound detour:

• Motorists traveling on I-295 northbound will be directed to continue on I-295 northbound to Exit 27
• Take the left Exit 27 ramp to I-76 westbound

Tuesday, March 19

Beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 19 until 6 a.m. Wednesday, March 20, Route 42 northbound will have two right lanes closed after Exit 14B/Benigo Boulevard through the I-76 eastbound Exit 1A overpass. At least one lane will be maintained during construction.

In addition, beginning at 9 p.m. Monday, March 18 until 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 19, the I-295 northbound old Exit 26/new Exit 27A (left exit), which becomes the left lane of I-76 westbound, will be closed and detoured. The left lane on I-295 northbound also will be closed beginning near Creek Road overpass. At least one lane will be maintained. The following detour will be in place:

I-295 northbound old Exit 26/new Exit 27A (left exit) to I-76 westbound detour:

• Motorists traveling on I-295 northbound will be directed to continue on I-295 northbound to Exit 27
• Take the left Exit 27 ramp to I-76 westbound

Wednesday, March 20 and Thursday, March 21

Beginning at 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 until 6 a.m. Thursday, March 21, and again on Thursday, March 21 at the same times, Route 42 northbound will have the right lane closed after Exit 14B/Benigo Boulevard through the I-76 eastbound Exit 1A overpass and the Exit 1B ramp will be closed and detoured. At least one lane will be maintained during construction. The following detour will be in place:

Route 42 northbound Exit 1B ramp to I-295 northbound detour:

• ·         Motorists traveling on Route 42 northbound wishing to take Exit 1B to I-295 northbound will be directed to continue on Route 42 northbound to I-76 westbound  
• ·         Take I-76 westbound to Exit 2/I-676 northbound
• ·         Take I-676 northbound to Exit 1/Collings Avenue
• ·         Turn right onto Collings Avenue
• ·         Turn left onto I-676 southbound, which becomes I-76 eastbound
• ·         Take I-76 eastbound to Exit 1B/I-295 northbound

In addition, beginning at 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 until 6 a.m. Thursday, March 21, and again on Thursday, March 21 at the same times, the two right lanes on I-295 northbound will be closed and detoured. The following detour will be in place:

I-295 northbound detour:

• ·         Motorists traveling on I-295 northbound will be directed to take old Exit 26/new Exit 27A (left exit), which becomes the left lane of I-76 westbound  
• ·         Take I-76 westbound to Exit 2/I-676 northbound
• ·         Take I-676 northbound to Exit 1/Collings Avenue
• ·         Turn right onto Collings Avenue
• ·         Turn left onto I-676 southbound, which becomes I-76 eastbound
• ·         Take I-76 eastbound to Exit 1B/I-295 northbound

The work is part of the Direct Connection project that will provide a seamless route for I-295 motorists traveling through the interchange of I-295, I-76, and Route 42. To sign up for I-295 Direct Connect project updates go to 295DirectConnect.com or text CONNECT to 1-844-844-3681.

Portable variable message signs are being utilized to provide advance notification to the public of all traffic pattern changes associated with the work. The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. 

NJDOT Pothole Campaign

NJDOT’s 2024 Pothole Campaign began on March 4. Watch a safety message from Acting Commissioner Fran O’Connor about how NJDOT repairs potholes to keep our roads safe and in a state of good repair.

To repair potholes in the most aggressive and efficient manner during the Pothole Campaign, the Department will be allowing crews throughout the state to close travel lanes where necessary during daytime hours. When possible, crews will limit their daytime work hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will try to avoid working in travel lanes carrying traffic during peak times.

It is important to slow down in work zones so NJDOT crews can safely make repairs. New Jersey’s Move Over law requires motorists to move over, if it is safe to do so, when approaching an emergency or service vehicle stopped on the side of the road. If you cannot safely MOVE OVER, PLEASE SLOW DOWN.

In addition to our crews monitoring and reporting potholes that need repair on state highways, we encourage motorists to report potholes as well. Motorists may call 1-800-POTHOLE or go online to report potholes on state roads using a new mapping feature to help identify the exact location of the pothole.

To report potholes on county roads, contact the appropriate jurisdiction. The Department responds as quickly as possible, especially to reports of potholes that create safety concerns based on their size and location.

Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT's traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information, and for NJDOT news follow us on X (Twitter) @NewJerseyDOT or on the NJDOT Facebook page.