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Interstate 295 (Delaware–Pennsylvania)

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Interstate 295 marker

Interstate 295

Map
I-295 highlighted in red
Route information
Auxiliary route of I-95
Maintained by DelDOT, DRBA, NJDOT, DRJTBC, and PennDOT
Length92.3 mi[1][2][3] (148.5 km)
Existed1958[4]–present
History
  • Finalized in 1994[5]
  • Completed in 2018
NHSEntire route
Major junctions
South end I-95 / I-495 / US 202 / DE 141 near Newport, DE
Major intersections
West end I-95 in Bristol Township, PA
Location
CountryUnited States
StatesDelaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
CountiesDE: New Castle
NJ: Salem, Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, Mercer
PA: Bucks
Highway system
← DE 286DE→ DE 299
← I-287NJ→ Route 300
← PA 294PA→ PA 295

Interstate 295 (I-295) in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania is an auxiliary Interstate Highway, designated as a bypass around Philadelphia, and a partial beltway of Trenton.

The route begins at a junction with I-95 south of Wilmington, and runs to an interchange with I-95 in Bristol Township. The highway heads east from I-95 and crosses the Delaware River into New Jersey on the Delaware Memorial Bridge concurrent with US 40. Upon entering New Jersey, I-295 runs concurrently with the New Jersey Turnpike and US 40 for a brief 0.5 miles (0.80 km) until splitting away at exit 1 and runs parallel to the turnpike for most of its course in the state. After a concurrency with US 130 in Gloucester County, I-295 has an interchange with I-76 and Route 42 in Camden County. The freeway continues northeast towards Trenton, where it intersects I-195 and Route 29 before bypassing the city to the east, north, and west, crossing the Delaware River on the Scudder Falls Bridge into Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, I-295 is signed as an east–west road and heads south to its other terminus at I-95. I-295 is one of two auxiliary Interstates in the US to enter three states, the other being the I-275 beltway around Cincinnati, which enters Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.

Three portions of I-295 predate the Interstate Highway System: the Delaware Memorial Bridge and its approach, built in 1951; a section in Salem County, built in 1953; and the part concurrent with US 130, built in two sections that opened in 1948 and 1954. The route was designated on these sections in New Jersey in 1958 and in Delaware in 1959. The portion of I-295 connecting to I-95 in Delaware opened in 1963 while most of the route in New Jersey was finished by the 1980s. The part of I-295 near the interchange with I-195 and Route 29 was finished in 1994. I-295 previously ended in New Jersey at US 1 in Lawrence, becoming I-95 heading south into Philadelphia. By July 2018, I-295 was extended along the former I-95 in New Jersey and Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to end at I-95 at the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with no access between I-295 and the latter road. Improvements continue to be made to the highway, including reconstruction of interchanges and replacement of bridges.

Route description

[edit]

I-295 begins at I-95, I-495, US 202, and Delaware Route 141 (DE 141) near Newport, Delaware, and heads east over the Delaware River on the Delaware Memorial Bridge into New Jersey. The highway intersects the southern terminus of the New Jersey Turnpike and runs northeast through suburban areas of South Jersey parallel to the turnpike, providing a bypass of Philadelphia and Camden. I-295 turns north and bypasses Trenton to the east and turns west at the interchange with US 1 in Lawrence. The route heads west around the north side of Trenton, crosses the Delaware River on the Scudder Falls Bridge into Pennsylvania, and heads south to its terminus at I-95 in Bristol Township.[2][6][7][8] The portion of I-295 running through New Jersey is sometimes referred to as the Camden Freeway by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).[9] As part of the Interstate Highway System, the entire length of I-295 is a part of the National Highway System,[10][11][12] a network of roads important to the country's economy, defense, and mobility.[13]

Newport to Westville

[edit]
I-295 southbound/US 40 westbound at the DE 9 interchange in Holloway Terrace

I-295 begins at an interchange with I-95, I-495, US 202, and DE 141 south of the town of Newport in New Castle County, Delaware. The northbound beginning of I-295 has direct ramps from both directions of I-95, southbound I-495, and southbound DE 141, while the southbound end of I-295 has direct ramps to both directions of I-95, northbound I-495, and northbound DE 141. From this junction, the highway heads southeast on an eight-lane freeway maintained by the Delaware Department of Transportation that passes to the northeast of suburban neighborhoods in Wilmington Manor. I-295 passes over the Jack A. Markell Trail and reaches an interchange with US 13/US 40 in Farnhurst. Here, US 40 splits from US 13 by heading east concurrent with I-295. At this interchange, the highway becomes maintained by the Delaware River and Bay Authority. The road has an eastbound ramp to Landers Lane before it passes between residential neighborhoods and comes to a cloverleaf interchange with DE 9 north of the city of New Castle. This interchange provides access to Veterans Memorial Park, where a war memorial honoring veterans from Delaware and New Jersey is located. Past DE 9, the median of the freeway widens to include the DRBA headquarters, with direct access to and from the southbound lanes while northbound access is provided by way of DE 9. After this, the southbound lanes of I-295 have a toll plaza for the Delaware Memorial Bridge. I-295/US 40 continues east and passes over Norfolk Southern Railway's New Castle Secondary railroad line before crossing the Delaware River on the twin-span Delaware Memorial Bridge.[6][8]

Welcome center/rest area along northbound I-295 in Carneys Point Township

Upon reaching the east bank of the Delaware River, I-295/US 40 begins a brief concurrency with the New Jersey Turnpike and enters Pennsville in Salem County, New Jersey, heading east-southeast through industrial areas. The freeway comes to an interchange with the southern terminus of US 130 and the western terminus of Route 49. Here, I-295 splits onto its own freeway maintained by the New Jersey Department of Transportation while US 40 continues along the New Jersey Turnpike for a short distance before it splits to the southeast. A short distance later, the roadway enters Carneys Point and CR 551 merges onto I-295, with the four-lane freeway heading northeast. The highway comes to a junction with Route 140, where CR 551 splits from I-295 by continuing east along Route 140. I-295 heads into wooded areas and features a rest area in the northbound direction. The freeway continues northeast and comes to a northbound weigh station before it reaches the Route 48 exit. The highway runs through a mix of farmland and woodland and enters Oldmans Township, where it comes to an interchange providing access to Straughns Mill Road (CR 643).[2][8]

I-295/US 130 northbound at the CR 631/CR 640/CR 642/CR 644 exit in West Deptford Township

I-295 crosses the Oldmans Creek into Logan Township in Gloucester County and passes near some residential development and Pureland Industrial Complex as it comes to the Center Square Road (CR 620) exit. The road crosses the Raccoon Creek and reaches an interchange serving US 322. Following this, the highway runs through agricultural and wooded areas before northbound US 130 merges into the freeway.

At this point, I-295 and US 130 head east as a six-lane freeway with a narrow median and soon come to the Repaupo Station Road (CR 684) exit. Continuing east, the freeway crosses into Greenwich Township and has an interchange with Tomlin Station Road (CR 607). After passing near Greenwich Lake, there are exits for Paulsboro-Swedesboro Road (CR 653) and Democrat Road (CR 673) within a short distance of each other. I-295/US 130 reaches an interchange with Harmony Road (CR 680) on the border of Greenwich Township and East Greenwich Township. The road runs through a portion of East Greenwich Township before crossing back into Greenwich Township and coming to an interchange with Berkley Road (CR 678) and Cohawkin Road (CR 667) on the border of Greenwich Township and Paulsboro.[2][8]

Past this point, the freeway runs through marshy areas of Mantua Creek and continues into West Deptford. Here, there is an exit for Mantua Grove Road (CR 656). Passing near more industrial areas, I-295/US 130 has an interchange with Mid-Atlantic Parkway, which provides access to Route 44 as well as to Grove Street (CR 643) and Jessup Road (CR 660). Continuing northeast, the freeway passes over Conrail Shared Assets Operations' Penns Grove Secondary railroad line and reaches an interchange with Route 44 and Delaware Street (CR 640). At this point, Route 44 begins to parallel I-295/US 130 on its northwest side as the two roads cross the Woodbury Creek. Route 44 ends at a cul-de-sac that has a ramp from the southbound direction of I-295/US 130 prior to another exit that provides access to Red Bank Avenue (CR 644). The freeway passes near some homes before US 130 splits from I-295 at an interchange that also has access to Hessian Avenue (CR 642). The median of I-295 becomes wider again and it continues east through woods, coming to a southbound exit and northbound entrance with Route 45. The roadway passes over Conrail Shared Assets Operations' Vineland Secondary railroad line and passes through a small strip of Deptford before it has a partial interchange with CR 551, with a southbound exit and northbound entrance. The highway enters Westville and skirts near residential and commercial development, with another southbound exit and northbound entrance serving Route 47.[2][8]

Bellmawr to Lawrence

[edit]
I-295 southbound past the exit for Woodcrest station in Tavistock
Night aerial view of the three-leaf cloverleaf interchange with Route 38, with the Delaware River and Philadelphia in the background and the New Jersey Turnpike in the foreground.

I-295 crosses the Big Timber Creek into Bellmawr in Camden County and runs northeast, with a northbound exit to southbound Route 42 and a southbound entrance from northbound Route 42, before it comes to the interchange with the North–South Freeway, which serves as the northern terminus of Route 42 and the eastern terminus of I-76. At this point, the travel lanes of I-295 head north for a short distance along the outside of the North–South Freeway, with the northbound lanes of I-295 having access from northbound Route 42 and eastbound I-76 and access to westbound I-76 while the southbound lanes of I-295 having access from eastbound I-76 and access to southbound Route 42. Past this, I-295 continues east as a six-lane freeway through wooded areas near suburban development, passing under Conrail Shared Assets Operations' Grenloch Industrial Track line before reaching an interchange with Black Horse Pike (Route 168). The highway heads east along the border between Haddon Heights to the north and Barrington to the south and passes over Conrail Shared Assets Operations' Beesleys Point Secondary railroad line before reaching the interchange with White Horse Pike (US 30) near its intersection with Clements Bridge Road/Highland Avenue (Route 41/CR 573).[2][8]

The road fully enters Barrington before crossing into Lawnside, where it comes to a southbound exit and northbound entrance serving Warwick Road (CR 669). After this, I-295 curves northeast and passes through a corner of Tavistock before entering a part of Haddonfield and coming to a trumpet interchange providing access to Woodcrest Station along the PATCO Speedline. At this point, the road becomes closely parallel to the New Jersey Turnpike to the southeast. The highway crosses into Cherry Hill and passes over the tracks carrying the PATCO Speedline and NJ Transit's Atlantic City Line before it reaches the Haddonfield-Berlin Road (CR 561) exit. The roadway runs through wooded areas with suburban neighborhoods to the west and the New Jersey Turnpike to the east as it comes to a cloverleaf interchange at Route 70. Past this, the highway curves north farther west from the turnpike.[2][8]

I-295 northbound at the Route 73 interchange in Mount Laurel

I-295 enters Mount Laurel in Burlington County upon crossing Pennsauken Creek and runs northeast through woods near development, reaching a cloverleaf interchange with Route 73 that provides access to the New Jersey Turnpike to the east. Past this, the road passes east-northeast near commercial areas to the southeast of Moorestown Mall before curving northeast to closely follow the turnpike. The highway runs through wooded areas and encounters the interchange with Route 38. The roadway passes over Conrail Shared Assets Operations' Pemberton Industrial Track line and Marne Highway (CR 537) and runs through a mix of fields and trees with occasional development, with an exit serving Creek Road (CR 635). I-295 crosses the Rancocas Creek into Westampton and runs through an area of warehouses, where it has a cloverleaf interchange at Rancocas-Mount Holly Road (CR 626). The highway runs north through rural land with nearby buildings and enters Burlington Township. Here, the road curves northeast and comes to a cloverleaf interchange at Burlington-Mount Holly Road (CR 541) that provides access to a commercial area along with the New Jersey Turnpike. The freeway runs through woodland and heads into Springfield Township, where it passes a pair of closed rest areas in each direction. I-295 crosses the Assiscunk Creek into Florence Township and heads through a mix of farm fields and trees before it enters Mansfield Township and comes to a cloverleaf interchange at Florence-Columbus Road (CR 656) that provides access to nearby Columbus Road (CR 543). The highway passes over the Pearl Harbor Memorial Extension of the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) and continues through rural land into Bordentown Township, where a northbound exit and southbound entrance serves Rising Sun Road that provides access to US 206 and the New Jersey Turnpike. Past this, the road curves north and reaches the exit for US 130 west of Bordentown before passing through woodland and crossing over NJ Transit's River Line.[2][8]

I-295 northbound at the CR 541 exit in Burlington Township

I-295 crosses the Crosswicks Creek into Hamilton in Mercer County and runs through woods and marshland a short distance east of the Delaware River. A scenic overlook of the river is located along the southbound side of the road; access from the northbound lanes is provided by a pedestrian bridge over the highway. The freeway heads farther from the river and passes over the River Line again before it reaches a modified cloverleaf interchange serving the western terminus of I-195 and the southern terminus of Route 29 to Trenton. Following this junction, the road heads northeast near residential neighborhoods and comes to an interchange at Arena Drive (CR 620) that provides access to nearby White Horse Avenue (CR 533). A short distance later, a southbound exit and northbound entrance provides access to northbound Olden Avenue (CR 622). I-295 continues through wooded areas with nearby development and curves north to come to an interchange at Route 33 and Hamilton Avenue (CR 606). The next interchange is a southbound exit and northbound entrance at East State Street (CR 535). The highway continues through woods and reaches a cloverleaf interchange serving Sloan Avenue (CR 649). The roadway comes to a bridge over Amtrak's Northeast Corridor railroad line and crosses into Lawrence, where it curves northwest and comes to a modified interchange with US 1.[2][8]

Lawrence to Bristol Township

[edit]
I-295 eastbound in Middletown Township

West of US 1, the freeway passes commercial areas. I-295 comes to a partial cloverleaf interchange at Princeton Pike (CR 583), before coming to a southbound ramp to Franklin Corner Road (CR 546). Continuing west, the road reaches a cloverleaf interchange with US 206. I-295 then has a northbound exit and southbound entrance serving Federal City Road, before leaving Lawrence and entering Hopewell Township. The median of the freeway widens as it runs near suburban residential areas; this is where the Somerset Freeway would have begun, had it been built. Upon entering Hopewell Township, the median narrows.[8][14]

I-295 turns southwest past suburban development containing some farmland. It reaches the interchange with Route 31 and passes through Ewing before returning to Hopewell Township, crossing under CSX Transportation's Trenton Subdivision railroad line.[14] The next interchange along the route provides access to Scotch Road (CR 611) and Trenton–Mercer Airport via a cloverleaf interchange. After Scotch Road (CR 611), the highway crosses back into Ewing Township and passes to the northwest of the airport. An interchange with Bear Tavern Road (CR 579) also serves Trenton–Mercer Airport.[14][8] The freeway comes to the interchange with Route 29 that also has a northbound entrance from Route 175.[14] At this point, maintenance of the road changes from the New Jersey Department of Transportation to the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, and I-295 widens from six to eight lanes.[8] Immediately after the interchange with Route 29, I-295 then crosses the Delaware River into Pennsylvania on the tolled Scudder Falls Bridge. At the state line, I-295 transitions from a north–south road to an east–west road, with the northbound direction turning into the westbound direction upon crossing into Pennsylvania and the eastbound direction turning into the southbound direction upon crossing into New Jersey.[8]

I-295 eastbound past the US 1 Bus./PA 413 interchange in Middletown Township

Upon crossing the Delaware River, I-295 becomes the Delaware Expressway and enters Lower Makefield Township in Bucks County, passing over PA 32 and reaching an electronic toll gantry in the westbound direction. After crossing the Delaware Canal, I-295 reaches an interchange with Taylorsville Road, which provides indirect access to PA 32, to the north of Yardley, and narrows to six lanes. Here, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation takes over maintenance of the road. At this interchange, the route changes cardinal directions, with northbound becoming westbound and eastbound becoming southbound. I-295 continues west-southwest near suburban residential areas and features a westbound rest area and weigh station. The freeway turns to the south and reaches the interchange with PA 332 that serves Newtown to the west, narrowing again to four lanes. I-295 continues south near some farmland before passing near more homes with some commercial development. The freeway comes to a bridge over SEPTA's West Trenton Line and CSX Transportation's Trenton Subdivision before it crosses into Middletown Township and comes to a cloverleaf interchange with US 1. Immediately after this interchange, I-295 passes over Norfolk Southern Railway's Morrisville Line and CSX Transportation's Fairless Branch as it curves southwest, heading northwest of commercial development and the Oxford Valley Mall. The freeway makes a curve to the south and becomes parallel to SEPTA's West Trenton Line and CSX Transportation's Trenton Subdivision to the west, passing under PA 213 without an interchange. The railroad tracks split to the west and I-295 reaches a diamond interchange with Bus. US 1/PA 413 to the east of the borough of Penndel. Following this interchange, the freeway crosses the Mill Creek and runs south-southeast near suburban residential areas as it heads west of Levittown. I-295 enters Bristol Township and terminates at an interchange with I-95 at the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276). At this interchange, I-295 merges into southbound I-95, with access from westbound I-295 to southbound I-95 and from northbound I-95 to eastbound I-295; there are no ramps connecting I-295 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.[7][8]

History

[edit]
View north along I-295 from US 206 (South Broad Street) in Hamilton Township

In the 1927 New Jersey state highway renumbering, Route 39 was legislated to begin at the Yardley–Wilburtha Bridge and bypass Trenton to the north and east before continuing south to Hammonton along present-day US 206.[15][16] Route 39, which was not built around Trenton, was decommissioned in the 1953 New Jersey state highway renumbering.[17][18]

Original highway

[edit]

Portions of I-295 in Salem and Gloucester counties predate the Interstate Highway System as part of freeway bypasses for the surface section of US 130/Route 44 through Carneys Point and between Bridgeport and Westville. In 1948, the first section of the US 130/Route 44 bypass in Gloucester County between current exits 21 and 24 opened, with a second section between exits 14 and 21 opening in 1954. The section of the present highway between the New Jersey Turnpike and the present-day CR 618 bridge was built as part of the US 130 bypass of Carneys Point in 1953.[5] The concurrent Route 44 designation was removed from US 130 in the 1953 New Jersey state highway renumbering[17][18] and was later assigned to the former surface alignment of US 130 through Carneys Point and between Bridgeport and Westville.[19][20] In 1958, the US 130 bypass of Carneys Point and the freeway in Gloucester County was designated as part of I-295.[4]

Construction on the Delaware Memorial Bridge began in 1949.[21] At the same time, work was underway on the Delaware Memorial Bridge approach in Delaware, a divided highway which would begin at a directional T interchange with US 13/US 202 in Farnhurst and head east to a cloverleaf interchange at New Castle Avenue (present DE 9) before leading to the bridge.[22][23] Construction on the US 13/US 202 interchange at Farnhurst began on July 12, 1950.[24] On August 16, 1951, the Delaware Memorial Bridge opened to traffic.[25] The Delaware Memorial Bridge and the approach road to US 13/US 202 became a part of US 40 following the opening of the bridge.[26] I-295 was designated onto the New Jersey approach of the bridge in 1958.[4] That same year, construction began for a bridge at the Farnhurst interchange that would link the US 40 approach to the Delaware Memorial Bridge to the Delaware Turnpike that was proposed to run west to the Maryland state line.[27] A year later, the Farnhurst interchange and the bridge approach were upgraded to Interstate Highway standards, and it was designated as part of I-295.[28][29] Construction at the interchange connecting to the Delaware Turnpike at Farnhurst was completed in July 1961. On November 14, 1963, the Delaware Turnpike opened to traffic, with I-295 extended west (south) to I-95 at the northern terminus of the Delaware Turnpike, which continued south as I-95.[30][31] In the middle of 1964, work began on a second span at the Delaware Memorial Bridge due to increasing traffic volumes. The second span of the bridge was opened to traffic in late 1968.[32][33]

I-295 northbound at the Route 70 interchange in Cherry Hill

The remainder of I-295 through New Jersey was planned as Federal Aid Interstate Route 108, which was created by the New Jersey Department of Transportation in 1956. I-295 was built between Big Timber Creek and Route 42 in 1958. In 1960, the section of the Interstate between Route 42 and Warwick Road was finished. The highway was built between US 130 and Route 45 in 1960 and was extended east to the Big Timber Creek a year later. In 1963, I-295 was completed between Warwick Road and just south of Route 70. A year later, the roadway was extended north to Route 73. The freeway was built between Route 73 and Route 38 in 1966. In 1968, the section of I-295 between Carneys Point and Bridgeport was finished.[5] Following the completion of this section, US 130 reverted to its previous surface alignment through Carneys Point, replacing that portion of Route 44.[19] In 1972, the highway was finished between Route 38 and CR 541. I-295 was extended from CR 541 northward to US 130 near Bordentown a year later.[5] I-295 was completed from US 1 west to a proposed interchange with I-95 in Hopewell Township in 1974.[34] In 1975, the roadway was constructed from south of the Route 33 interchange north to US 1. The section of I-295 between Arena Drive and south of Route 33 was finished in 1984. In 1987, I-295 was built between I-195/Route 29 and Arena Drive, with the highway between I-195/Route 29 and Route 33 opened to traffic on August 16 of that year. The final section of I-295 between US 130 in Bordentown and I-195/Route 29 was finished in 1994.[5]

At its original northern terminus, the freeway continued west as I-95 toward the Scudder Falls Bridge while I-95 was proposed to head north along the Somerset Freeway.[34][35] In 1983, the Somerset Freeway portion of I-95 was canceled as a result of community opposition.[36] In the 1990s, the northern terminus of I-295 was moved to the US 1 interchange in Lawrence Township, with the route west of there replaced by an extended I-95.[37] Due to the cancelation of the Somerset Freeway, a gap existed along I-95 in New Jersey. To bridge the gap, motorists from northbound I-95 were directed to follow I-295 southbound and I-195 eastbound to reach the New Jersey Turnpike to continue north along I-95, and vice versa.[8]

The former northern terminus of I-295 at US 1 and I-95 in Lawrence (signs in picture have been updated)

In 1995, the southbound rest area along I-295 in Burlington County was named for radio personality Howard Stern. Governor Christine Todd Whitman named the rest area after Stern as payback for him granting Whitman airtime during her 1993 gubernatorial campaign. A plaque proclaiming the rest area as the "Howard Stern Rest Stop" was installed, with an image of Stern poking his head from an outhouse.[38] Days after the plaque was installed, it was stolen and later mailed to Stern. In 2003, the rest areas along I-295 in Burlington County were closed as part of funding cuts in Governor Jim McGreevey's budget, saving the state $1 million a year.[39]

I-295, like many other highways in New Jersey, once had solar-powered emergency callboxes every mile (1.6 km); the use of the callboxes became limited due to the increasing popularity of cellphones. To save on maintenance costs, the New Jersey Department of Transportation removed these callboxes in 2005.[40]

Reconstruction projects

[edit]
View of the I-76/I-295/Route 42 interchange construction in 2022

In 2013, the New Jersey Department of Transportation broke ground on a project to construct a straighter roadway for I-295 near the Route 42 interchange.[41] This project, dubbed the I-295/I-76/Route 42 Direct Connection, will reconstruct the dangerous and congested Route 42/I-295/I-76 interchange, which currently requires traffic on I-295 to use 35-mile-per-hour (56 km/h) ramps that merge onto the North–South Freeway for a short distance, among a series of other indirect connections.[42] In 2007, "Alternative D" for the reconstructed interchange was selected, calling for I-295 to cross over the North–South Freeway. This interchange was projected to cost $900 million (equivalent to $1.14 billion in 2023[43]).[44] The project is being constructed in four phases[45] and was originally scheduled to be complete in 2021.[46] However, delays in construction, including the collapse of a retaining wall on March 25, 2021, pushed the expected completion date to 2028.[47]

The ramp from Interstate 295 northbound to Route 42 southbound opened in November 2023

NJDOT had also announced another project to address the missing connections between I-295 and Route 42 to provide an easier connection between the Philadelphia metro area and points south to Atlantic City and vice versa. This project, dubbed the I-295/Route 42 Missing Moves, would provide connections from I-295 northbound to Route 42 southbound and Route 42 northbound to I-295 southbound by constructing two ramps just south of the I-295/I-76/Route 42 interchange. Construction began in March 2020, and the ramps opened to traffic on November 28, 2023.[48][49]

In early 2015, the Delaware River and Bay Authority began a project to reconstruct southbound I-295 between US 13/US 40 and I-95/I-495. The first phase, which took place between early 2015 and late 2016, reconstructed and repaved the left lanes of southbound I-295, reconstructed and repaved the right side of the ramps to US 13/US 40, I-495, and northbound I-95, and closed the ramp from northbound US 13 to southbound I-295 and built a new loop ramp. The second phase, which took place between 2016 and 2017, reconstructed and repaved the right lanes of southbound I-295, completed construction on the ramps from southbound I-295, and built a tunnel carrying the Jack A. Markell Trail under I-295. The final phase, which took place between 2017 and 2018, reconstructed the ramp from southbound US 13 to southbound I-295, removed the former ramp from northbound US 13 to southbound I-295, and reconstructed the left lane and shoulder on the ramps from southbound I-295 to I-95.[50]

On August 5, 2024, construction will begin to build an additional northbound lane for I-295 between the I-95 and US 13/US 40 interchanges. This project will provide a third lane for I-295 at the exit from I-95. This lane is being built to reduce traffic congestion along this stretch of road, which often backs up onto I-95. Construction is planned to be completed in the later part of 2025.[51]

Extension into Pennsylvania

[edit]
Further information: Pennsylvania Turnpike/Interstate 95 Interchange Project
The beginning of I-295 eastbound from I-95 northbound in Bristol Township

In preparation for the completion of the first stage of the interchange between I-95 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Bristol Township, the former route was truncated from New Jersey to the site of the interchange.[52] In its place, I-295 was extended, ending at the unfinished interchange. The New Jersey Department of Transportation NJDOT and the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission completed Phases 1 and 2 of the redesignation in March 2018, extending the route from US 1 in Lawrence Township across the Scudder Falls Bridge to Taylorsville Road in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation finished Phase 3 in July of the same year, signing their section as east–west despite its north–south alignment to avoid a change in direction from north to south on the same route.[53]

Between September 2005 and May 2015, New Jersey and Pennsylvania intended to extend I-195 around Trenton instead of I-295. This would have also truncated I-295 to its interchange with I-195 and Route 29. However, in 2015, plans changed once again to extend I-295.[54] This was because of guidelines set by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, which state that auxiliary Interstates with an odd-numbered first digit should only connect with their parent route once. Since the extended route would have two junctions with the parent route (I-95), a route number with an even-numbered first digit was considered more appropriate.[55]

On September 22, 2018, the first stage of the interchange opened, allowing for I-95 to be routed onto the Pennsylvania Turnpike to connect to the New Jersey Turnpike, truncating the eastern terminus of I-276 to the new interchange and completing I-95 from Miami to the Canadian border. However, there remains no access between I-295 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276), nor between I-295 westbound and I-95 northbound and vice versa. The next stage of the project will complete the movements at the interchange.[56]

Scudder Falls Bridge replacement

[edit]
Main article: Scudder Falls Bridge

The structurally deficient Scudder Falls Bridge, that carried I-295 over the Delaware River between Lower Makefield Township, Pennsylvania, and Ewing, New Jersey, was in need of a replacement. Construction on a dual-span replacement bridge began in April 2017. The first span opened to Pennsylvania-bound traffic on July 10, 2019, and opened to New Jersey-bound traffic on July 24.[57] Demolition of the original span commenced right after and construction of the second new span began afterwards, which opened in August 2021.[58] The new bridge has six through-traffic lanes (three in each direction), acceleration and deceleration lanes, shoulders, and a shared bicycle and pedestrian path. Additionally, the two adjoining interchanges with Route 29 and Taylorsville Road were reconstructed.[59][needs update] Previously a toll-free crossing, on July 14, 2019, an electronic toll was instituted for Pennsylvania-bound traffic, payable using E-ZPass or toll by plate.[60]

Exit list

[edit]

In Delaware, the exit onto DE 141 is the only exit in the state signed with an exit number.

StateCountyLocationmi[1][2][3]kmOld exitNew exit[61]DestinationsNotes
DelawareNew CastleNewport0.00.0—
 I-95 south – Baltimore		Southern terminus
5B
 DE 141 north – Newport		Signed as exit 5 southbound; exit number corresponds to I-95; no southbound entrance
—
 I-95 north – Wilmington		Southbound exit and northbound entrance; Exit 5C (I-95)
—
 I-495 north – Port of Wilm, Philadelphia		Southbound exit and northbound entrance
Wilmington Manor1.93.1—
 US 13 / US 40 west – Wilmington, NC Airport, Dover		South end of the overlap with US 40
—Landers LaneNorthbound exit only; no trucks over 5000 lbs
Holloway Terrace3.25.1— DE 9 – Wilmington, New Castle, VET MEM PARKServes Historic New Castle
—Delaware River and Bay Authority HeadquartersSouthbound exit and entrance
Delaware River5.7
0.0		9.2
0.0		Delaware Memorial Bridge (southbound toll)
New JerseySalemPennsville Township0.50.80
 N.J. Turnpike begins
0.7–
0.9		1.1–
1.4		1A
 Route 49 east – Pennsville, Salem		Signed as exit 1 southbound; last southbound exit before toll
—

 N.J. Turnpike north / US 40 east – Atlantic City, New York City		Northbound exit and southbound entrance; north end of overlap with the New Jersey Turnpike/US 40
1B
 US 130 north – Penns Grove		Northbound exit and southbound entrance
Carneys Point Township1.3–
1.6		2.1–
2.6		1CHook Road (NB)

 CR 551 south – Salem (SB)		South end of the overlap with CR 551; no southbound entrance
2A

 I-295 south / US 40 west – Del Mem Br		Northbound exit only; provides a u-turn from exit 1C to access I-295 south
1.93.12






 To N.J. Turnpike north / US 40 east / US 130 / CR 551 north – Deepwater, Woodstown		Access via Route 140/CR 540; signed as exits 2B (TO New Jersey Turnpike/US 40 EAST) and 2C (TO US 130); north end of the overlap with CR 551
4.47.14 Route 48 – Penns Grove, Woodstown
Oldmans Township7.111.47Auburn, PedricktownAccess via CR 643
GloucesterLogan Township10.316.610Center Sq Rd – SwedesboroAccess via CR 620
11.919.211
 US 322 to N.J. Turnpike – Mullica Hill, Bridgeport, Com Barry Br		Signed as exits 11A (EAST) and 11B (WEST) northbound; no southbound access to US 322 west
14.323.013


 US 130 south to US 322 west – Bridgeport, Com Barry Br		Southbound exit and northbound entrance; south end of the overlap with US 130
14.523.314
 CR 684 to Route 44 – Repaupo, Gibbstown
Greenwich Township15.424.815 CR 607 – Gibbstown, Harrisonville
16.025.716A CR 653 – Swedesboro, Paulsboro
16.426.416B CR 673 – Gibbstown, Mickleton
Greenwich–East Greenwich
township line		17.227.717
 To CR 680 – Gibbstown		Access via Swedesboro Avenue
Greenwich Township–Paulsboro line18.3–
18.4		29.5–
29.6		18 CR 667 / CR 678 – Paulsboro, Mt Royal, Clarksboro
West Deptford Township19.431.219
 CR 656 to Route 44 – Mantua, Paulsboro
20.633.220


 To Route 44 / CR 643 / CR 660 – Mantua, Thorofare, Woodbury
21.835.121
 Route 44 south / CR 640 – National Pk, Paulsboro, Woodbury
22.936.922


 CR 631 north to CR 644 / CR 642 – Red Bank, Woodbury
23.6–
23.9		38.0–
38.5		23

 US 130 north to CR 642 – Westville, Gloucester, National Pk		North end of US 130 overlap
West Deptford–Deptford
township line		24.539.424A
 Route 45 south – Woodbury		Southbound exit and northbound entrance
Deptford Township–Westville line24.639.624B CR 551 – Westville, Woodbury HtsSouthbound exit and northbound entrance
Westville25.140.425 Route 47 – Westville, Deptford, GlassboroSouthbound exit and northbound entrance; signed as exits 25A (SOUTH) and 25B (NORTH)
Big Timber CreekBridge
CamdenBellmawr25.941.726


 Route 42 south to A.C. Expressway east – Washington Twp, Atlantic City		Northbound exit and southbound entrance
26.442.527A


 I-76 west to I-676 north – Camden, Philadelphia		Northbound exit and southbound entrance
26.943.3—
 Route 42 south – Atlantic City		Southbound exit and northbound entrance
27.444.126 (SB)
27B (NB)



 I-76 west to I-676 north / US 130 – Camden, Philadelphia
28.145.228
 Route 168 to N.J. Turnpike – Bellmawr, Runnemede, Mt Ephraim
Barrington30.0–
30.2		48.3–
48.6		29 US 30 – Lawnside, Berlin, Barrington, Haddon Hts, CollingswoodSigned as exits 29A (EAST) and 29B (WEST) northbound
Lawnside30.649.230Warwick Rd – Lawnside, HaddonfieldSouthbound exit and northbound entrance; access via CR 669
Cherry Hill31.751.031 Woodcrest Sta
32.452.132 CR 561 – Haddonfield, Voorhees, Gibbsboro
34.856.034 Route 70 – Marlton, Cherry Hill, CamdenSigned as exits 34A (EAST) and 34B (WEST)
BurlingtonMount Laurel36.859.236
 Route 73 to N.J. Turnpike – Berlin, Tacony Br		Signed as exits 36A (SOUTH) and 36B (NORTH)
40.665.340 Route 38 – Mt Holly, MoorestownSigned as exits 40A (EAST) and 40B (WEST) northbound; no southbound access to Route 38 east; access to Cooper University Hospital
43.169.443Rancocas Woods, DelranAccess via CR 635; signed as exits 43A (Rancocas Woods) and 43B (Delran) southbound
Westampton44.972.345Mount Holly, WillingboroAccess via CR 626; signed as exits 45A (Mount Holly) and 45B (Willingboro)
Burlington Township47.576.447
 CR 541 to N.J. Turnpike – Mount Holly, Burlington		Signed as exits 47A (SOUTH) and 47B (NORTH)
Mansfield Township52.384.252Columbus, FlorenceAccess via CR 656; signed as exits 52A (Columbus) and 52B (Florence)
Bordentown Township56.190.356


 US 206 to I-95 / N.J. Turnpike / Route 68 / Rising Sun Rd		Northbound exit and southbound entrance
56.891.457

 US 130 to US 206 north – Bordentown, Burlington		Signed as exits 57A (NORTH) and 57B (SOUTH) southbound; no northbound access to US 130 south
MercerHamilton Township60.296.960


 I-195 east to I-95 / N.J. Turnpike – Belmar


 Route 29 north to Route 129 – Trenton		Signed as exits 60A (EAST) and 60B (NORTH) southbound; Exits 1A-B (I-195/Route 29)
61.498.861Arena Drive – White Horse Ave, Olden AveSigned as exits 61A (EAST) and 61B (WEST) northbound; no southbound access to Arena Drive west; access via CR 620
61.899.562Olden Ave NORTHSouthbound exit and northbound entrance; access via CR 622 north
63.9–
64.0		102.8–
103.0		63
 Route 33 to CR 535 – Mercerville, Trenton		Signed as exits 63A (EAST) and 63B (WEST) northbound; no southbound access to Route 33 west
64.6104.064


 CR 535 north to Route 33 east – Mercerville		Southbound exit and northbound entrance
65.2104.965Sloan AveSigned as exits 65A (EAST) and 65B (WEST); serves Hamilton Station; access via CR 649
Lawrence Township67.6108.867 US 1 – New Brunswick, TrentonSigned as exits 67A (NORTH) and 67B (SOUTH) northbound
68.2109.88B68APrinceton Pike – Trenton, PrincetonSigned as exits 68A (Princeton) and 68B (Trenton) northbound; no southbound access to Princeton Pike south; access via CR 583
68.8110.78A68B
 CR 546 east TO Princeton Pike		Southbound exit only
69.2111.4769 US 206 – Lawrenceville, Princeton, TrentonSigned into exits 69A (NORTH) and 69B (SOUTH); serves Rider University
70.7113.8571Federal City RdNorthbound exit and southbound entrance; signed as exits 71A (NORTH) and 71B (SOUTH)
Hopewell Township72.1116.0472 Route 31 – Ewing, PenningtonServes The College of New Jersey
73.5118.3373 Scotch Rd – GENERAL AVIATIONSigned as exits 73A (NORTH) and 73B (SOUTH); access via CR 611
Ewing Township74.8120.4275 CR 579 – West Trenton, PASSENGER TERMINALServes West Trenton Station
76.3122.8176 Route 29 – Trenton, LambertvilleNo trucks over 13 tons; last northbound exit before toll
Delaware River76.4
10.3		123.0
16.6		Scudder Falls Bridge
(north/westbound toll; E-ZPass or toll-by-plate)
PennsylvaniaBucksLower Makefield Township10.07516.2145110Yardley, New HopeAccess via Taylorsville Road; Yardley not signed eastbound; serves Washington Crossing Historic Park
8.15013.116498 PA 332 – Newtown, YardleyYardley not signed westbound; serves Bucks County Community College and Tyler State Park
Middletown Township5.6119.030465 US 1 – Trenton, LanghorneSigned as exits 5B (SOUTH) and 5A (NORTH); serves Sesame Place and Morrisville
3.6275.837443
 US 1 Bus. / PA 413 – Penndel, Levittown		Serves Cairn University
Bristol Township0.5740.9241
 To PA 413 – Bristol		Westbound exit only; feeds into I-95 exit 39; serves Burlington–Bristol Bridge
0.0000.000—
 I-95 south – Philadelphia		Western terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Staff (2018). "Traffic Count and Mileage Report: Interstate, Delaware, and US Routes" (PDF). Delaware Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Interstate 295 straight line diagram" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Bureau of Maintenance and Operations (January 2017). Roadway Management System Straight Line Diagrams (Report) (2017 ed.). Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c Wright, George Cable (September 19, 1958). "New Roads with New Numbers Will Parallel Old U.S. Routes". The New York Times.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Interstate 295 Straight Line Diagram" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Transportation. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 19, 2005. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  6. ^ a b Delaware Department of Transportation (2017). Official Travel & Transportation Map (PDF) (Map). Dover: Delaware Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Bucks County, Pennsylvania Highway Map (PDF) (Map). PennDOT. 2018. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Google (September 23, 2018). "overview of Interstate 295" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  9. ^ New Jersey Department of Transportation (May 2006). "The Trenton Complex: I-295 & 195 / Route 29" (PDF). Transporter. pp. 3–4. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 15, 2007. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  10. ^ Federal Highway Administration (2015). National Highway System: Delaware (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  11. ^ Federal Highway Administration (2017). National Highway System: New Jersey (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  12. ^ Federal Highway Administration (2015). National Highway System: Pennsylvania (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  13. ^ Natzke, Stefan; Neathery, Mike & Adderly, Kevin (June 20, 2012). "What is the National Highway System?". National Highway System. Federal Highway Administration. Archived from the original on September 24, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  14. ^ a b c d New Jersey Department of Transportation. "Interstate 95M straight line diagram" (PDF). Trenton: New Jersey Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 19, 2005. Retrieved March 26, 2007.
  15. ^ State of New Jersey, Laws of 1927, Chapter 319.
  16. ^ 1927 New Jersey Road Map (Map). State of New Jersey. Archived from the original on October 31, 2007. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
  17. ^ a b 1953 renumbering. New Jersey Department of Highways. 1953.
  18. ^ a b "New Road Signs Ready in New Jersey". The New York Times. December 16, 1952.
  19. ^ a b H.M. Gousha (1969). Map of New Jersey (Map). Chevron Oil Company.
  20. ^ Rand McNally (1964). Delaware Road Map (Map). Chicago: Rand McNally.
  21. ^ Report of the State Highway Department (PDF) (1950 ed.). Dover: Delaware State Highway Department. July 1, 1950. p. 73. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 14, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  22. ^ Report of the State Highway Department (PDF) (1950 ed.). Dover: Delaware State Highway Department. July 1, 1950. p. 51. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  23. ^ Delaware State Highway Department (1957). Official Highway Map of Delaware (PDF) (Map) (1957–1958 ed.). Dover: Delaware State Highway Department. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  24. ^ Report of the State Highway Department (PDF) (1951 ed.). Dover: Delaware State Highway Department. July 1, 1951. p. 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  25. ^ Report of the State Highway Department (PDF) (1951 ed.). Dover: Delaware State Highway Department. February 15, 1952. p. 69. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  26. ^ Delaware State Highway Department (1952). Official Highway Map of Delaware (PDF) (Map) (1952–1953 ed.). Dover: Delaware State Highway Department. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  27. ^ Delaware State Highway Department Annual Report (PDF) (1958 ed.). Dover: Delaware State Highway Department. 1958. pp. 40–41. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  28. ^ Delaware State Highway Department Annual Report (PDF) (1959 ed.). Dover: Delaware State Highway Department. March 1, 1960. p. 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  29. ^ Delaware State Highway Department (1959). Official Highway Map of Delaware (PDF) (Map) (1959–1960 ed.). Dover: Delaware State Highway Department. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  30. ^ Annual Report (PDF) (1964 ed.). Dover: Delaware State Highway Department. 1964. p. 20. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  31. ^ Delaware State Highway Department (1964). Official Highway Map of Delaware (PDF) (Map). Dover: Delaware State Highway Department. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  32. ^ "Photo History of the Delaware Memorial Bridge - The Twin Span". Delaware River and Bay Authority. 2011. Archived from the original on December 17, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  33. ^ "Photo History of the Delaware Memorial Bridge - The Twin Span". Delaware River and Bay Authority. 2011. Archived from the original on December 17, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  34. ^ a b "Interstate 95M Straight Line Diagram" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Transportation. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 19, 2005. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  35. ^ General Drafting (1970). Map of New Jersey (Map). Esso.
  36. ^ Nordheimer, Jon (February 12, 1995). "Traffic Jams Around Princeton Rekindle a Highway Debate". The New York Times. Retrieved January 29, 2010.
  37. ^ United States–Canada–Mexico Road Atlas. Rand McNally. 1996.[full citation needed]
  38. ^ Davis, Mark (January 27, 1995). "Ladies And Gentlemen, It's The Shock Jock Pit Stop. Howard Stern Finds His Place In Posterity". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  39. ^ "Howard Stern rest stop closed, New Jersey cites $1 million in savings". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Associated Press. February 6, 2003. Archived from the original on January 30, 2016. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  40. ^ Barlas, Thomas (February 28, 2007). "Last call for N.J.'s roadside call boxes". The Press of Atlantic City.
  41. ^ "I-295, Route 42 interchange project breaks ground". NJ.com. March 12, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  42. ^ "I-295/I-76/Route 42 Direct Connection". New Jersey Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  43. ^ Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved November 30, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
  44. ^ "I-295, Route 42 interchange problems began in the 1950s". NJ.com. February 25, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  45. ^ Trethan, Phaedra (March 27, 2021). "Direct Connection: What is it, when did it begin and when will it end?". Cherry Hill Courier-Post. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  46. ^ "Destination 2030" (PDF). Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2007. Retrieved August 15, 2007.
  47. ^ Fitzgerald, Thomas (October 19, 2021). "New clues on cause of retaining wall collapse in South Jersey highway construction". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  48. ^ Brandt, Joe. ""Missing Moves" ramps connecting I-295, Route 42 finally open in NJ". Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  49. ^ Burns, P. Kenneth (November 28, 2023). "2 new ramps allow N.J. drivers on I-295 and Rt. 42 to connect". WHYY. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  50. ^ "I-295 Southbound Reconstruction from Landers Lane to I-95/I-495". Delaware River and Bay Authority. Archived from the original on January 11, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  51. ^ Greene, Sean (July 31, 2024). "Work set to begin on major I-295 Northbound project". Wilmington, DE: WDEL. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  52. ^ "Explainer: Why parts of I-95 are becoming I-295". 6abc Philadelphia. June 14, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  53. ^ "Schedule". I95Link.com. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  54. ^ Nadeau, Gregory G. (May 20, 2015). "FHWA to AASHTO I-95 Designation" (PDF). Letter to Bud Wright. Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 9, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  55. ^ "FAQs - I-95 Link". Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  56. ^ Sofield, Tom (September 22, 2018). "Decades in the Making, I-95, Turnpike Connector Opens to Motorists". Levittown Now. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  57. ^ Alexander, Dan. "Here's when tolls will start on Route 295 Scudder Falls Bridge". New Jersey 101.5. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  58. ^ "Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project (completed 2022)". DRJTBC. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  59. ^ "Construction". Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  60. ^ Madden, David (July 10, 2019). "New Scudder Falls Bridge partially open; tolls start Sunday". Philadelphia: KYW-AM. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  61. ^ Triana, Daniel (December 21, 2017). "I-95 to be redesignated as I-295 in Mercer County starting in 2018" (Press release). New Jersey Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
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