One of the busiest and most congested interchanges in New Jersey, the intersection of I-295, I-76 and Route 42 in Camden County handles daily traffic volumes of over 250,000 vehicles and has one of the highest accident rates in the state.
To help solve this problem, the NJDOT reconfigured traffic flow along the ramps and bridges that carry I-295 traffic across Routes 42 and I-76 with the Direct Connection to be completed by 2021. Conti built the second phase of this multi-year project. The work involved the north and southbound lanes of I-295 north of the interchange. This project included demolishing and replacing an existing bridge, building a 500-foot wide bridge that will carry all I-295 traffic, construction of on and off ramps, construction of a temporary bridge, installation of sheeting for tunnel and bridge shoring, and ground improvements and roadway construction.
Work was performed with zero reduction in existing roadway capacity. Conti restricted loud construction activities to designated timeframes to limit disturbing the public in an adjacent cemetery and nearby residential neighborhoods.
This project had design-build components associated with column supported and stage line embankment systems. Conti designed and constructed an embankment system to prevent movement in the adjacent cemetery since tie-backs are not permitted.
Conti minimized the impact to the traveling public and nearby residences by working nights and weekends to deliver the project ahead of schedule. The new overpass provided for three to five travel lanes on I-295 in both directions to cross over Routes 42 and I-76 unimpeded at speeds of 55 mph to alleviate regular congestion and provide a safer long term solution. This project won the Top 10 Roads award for project excellence.
This project can only be described as an effort to make the roads safe, to improve our quality of life, to bring businesses and keep businesses in New Jersey.
Kim Guadagno, NJ Lieutenant Governor
The existing bridge was originally constructed in 1941 and was considered structurally deficient, meaning it was safe to travel on but had reached the end of its useful life.
Conti was contracted to build a new structure that will last for the remainder of the 21st century.
Conti built a temporary, two-lane detour bridge adjacent to the existing structure that allowed travelers and commuters to cross the Eno River with no interruptions during the construction of the new bridge. The new bridge crossing the Eno along U.S. 70 Bypass features a 54-inch-tall concrete and metal railing, which will make the crossing along with the Eno much safer for bicycle traffic.
The newly constructed bridge is 27 feet longer, for a total of 265 feet, a foot wider, and is designed to accommodate a future greenway that could one day pass under the bridge.
Large vehicles could not easily pass under railroad bridges on Long Island.
The North Highway Bridge, Montauk Highway Bridge and Shinnecock Canal Bridge, built about 100 years ago, required rehabilitation. Based on routine bridge inspections, the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) determined these aging bridges were in need of modernization to extend the life of the bridges by 35 to 40 years.
Conti closely coordinated with LIRR to complete this project successfully. To accommodate the vehicle heights, the vertical roadway clearances of Montauk Highway and North Highway Bridges were increased by 6 inches. The Shinnecock Bridge superstructure and substructure elements were repaired, along with lead abatement, painting, waterproofing and other critical structural improvements. The Shinnecock Bridge rehabilitation work was done over an active waterway and required close coordination with the US Coast Guard. Conti performed lead abatement and steel repairs using a containment system. Existing piers and abutments were refurbished by installing soil anchors, replacing bearings and repairing concrete spalls.
In order to raise the bridges and set new approaches, 72-hour outages were required by the railroad to disconnect the rails. Conti closely coordinated with LIRR to ensure rail service resumed as scheduled. These outages were scheduled over a year in advance to accommodate the 5,490 passengers who ride the Montauk line on an average weekday.
Conti worked with LIRR to achieve transparent communication and coordination of the project. The team completed all four 72-hour track outages on time without impacting train or canal traffic.
“Rebuilding these bridges, the oldest of which has stood for more than 100 years, will provide a much needed boost to the economy.” – LIRR President, Helena Williams