Update: The left lane and shoulder on the ramp from Route 29/I-195 eastbound to I-295 southbound has been reopened. The right lane remains closed until further notice for emergency repairs.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation closed the ramp from Route 29/I-195 eastbound to I-295 southbound in Hamilton for emergency repairs today, after an inspection revealed deficiencies requiring immediate attention.
Inspectors found severe concrete deterioration and exposed rebar that necessitated the closure of the ramp and the start of emergency repairs to a bridge pier. NJDOT’s contractor, IEW Construction, closed the ramp, and the state is in the process of designing the repair. Work will begin as soon as the design is finalized, a NJDOT press release said, with crews working 24 hours a day until complete.
The ramp will remain closed until the repairs are complete, with a detour in place. NJDOT said motorists should expect congestion during this evening’s commute.
Motorists leaving Trenton on Route 29 and Route 129 wishing to head south on I-295 will be directed to continue on I-195 eastbound to Exit 1D/Route 206 northbound, before crossing over I-195 and taking the loop ramp to I-195 westbound. From I-195 westbound, motorists then can take Exit 1A to access I-295 southbound.
Message signs along the roadways will provide advance notification to motorists of traffic pattern changes associated with the work. The precise timing of the work is subject to change, due to weather or other factors, a NJDOT release said.
Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website 511nj.org for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter@NJDOT_info and on the NJDOT Facebook page.
