New ramp to help ease commuter ‘tangle’ through N.J.

Starting next month, a new, but temporary on-ramp between Route 42 and I-295 could ease some morning congestion in South Jersey. 

Once open, the ramp will make it much simpler for drivers to get from Route 42 to I-295 north.

Steve Shapiro of the New Jersey Department of Transportation said the ramp is part of a $900 million project to re-engineer the tangle of interchanges of I-76, I-295 and Route 42.

“Basically as the road currently exists, motorists have to move over and weave through traffic to get to the ramp to get to Route 295 and this provides a direct access to that preventing that weaving action from taking place so it makes it easier for motorists and safer for motorists and easier for motorists,” he said.

Construction has been under way improving drainage, and installing sound barriers and retaining walls, Shapiro said, but the work is far from over.

“The entire project, the direct connection project, is four contracts that will take about eight years to complete. We anticipate completing the entire interchange improvements in 2021,” he said.

The new ramp is set to open in mid-January.