What deafening sounds will be heard along I-295 at I-76 and for how long?
Brace yourself for the Big Bang along a busy South Jersey highway.
Motorists and residents will hear the sound of pile drivers pounding into the soil as construction workers prepare for a new bridge on Interstate 295 near Browning Road in Bellmawr.
The noise is to start on Monday, Aug. 21, running from 7 a.m. through 3 p.m. and return every weekday for an estimated 14 weeks, depending on weather and other factors, says the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
More: What's next for Direct Connection as project enters 10th year?
"Noise walls that were built earlier in the project separate the construction area from residents and should help minimize the disruption to the community," NJDOT said in a statement.
The noisy construction work is not expected to affect traffic flow, it added.
The planned bridge will carry I-295 over Interstate 76 and Route 42, creating a first-ever direct link for the now-disjointed interstate.
It will eliminate the need for motorists to leave southbound I-295 via a long exit ramp and merge into I-76/Route 42 in order to reach the interstate's now-disjointed section.
I-295 southbound traffic will start using the new bridge when it is completed, says NJDOT.
"But I-295 northbound traffic will not be using the new bridge until new ramps are built," the agency's website notes.
Those ramps will be part of the Direct Connection's fourth and final contract, now in the design phase.
How long will it take to drive I-295 overpass pilings?
The driving of 651 pilings will occur in the vicinity of the sound barrier and retaining wall that collapsed in early 2021.
This area is adjacent to the ramp to I-295 northbound from Route 42 and also is between the temporary Browning Road Bridge and a newly created I-295 tunnel.
The first 301 piles to be driven near New St. Mary's Cemetery will support the new southbound I-295 roadway.
Once that's completed, 350 piles will be installed at a lower level to support a new concrete wall.
"The work is necessary to install piles that will support a concrete slab platform to support an aggregate base under the new roadway," said NJDOT spokesman Steve Shapiro.
To sign up for Direct Connect project updates visit 295DirectConnect.com or text CONNECT to 1-844-844-3681.
Motorists can also find real-time travel information at NJDOT's website www.511nj.org.
Carol Comegno loves telling stories about South Jersey life, history and military veterans for the Courier Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. If you have a story to share, call her at 856-486-2473 or email ccomegno@gannettnj.com.
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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Direct Connection road project began 10 years ago. Is the end near?
