Motorists traveling through Lawrence Township can expect detours and overnight delays next week as construction continues on the Princeton Pike bridge over Interstate 295.
The Princeton Pike southbound ramp to I-295 northbound will close for five days beginning late Sunday, Nov. 15, while crews install beams for the new bridge, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
The closure is scheduled to begin at 11:59 p.m. Sunday and continue until 11:59 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20.
Drivers traveling southbound on Princeton Pike who want to access I-295 northbound will be directed to continue south on Princeton Pike, take the ramp to I-295 southbound, use Exit 68A to return to Princeton Pike northbound and then enter I-295 northbound.
In addition to the ramp closure, NJDOT plans overnight lane restrictions on I-295 in both directions near the bridge.
Beginning Monday, Nov. 16, the two left lanes of I-295 northbound and southbound will close nightly from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. The restrictions are expected to continue through Saturday morning, Nov. 21.
At least one lane will remain open in each direction during the overnight work. Temporary traffic slowdowns also are planned as crews install the bridge beams.
NJDOT is advising motorists to reduce their speed, use caution and allow additional travel time through the construction zone. Another ramp closure already in effect will remain in place during the work.
The I-295 northbound Exit 68B ramp to Princeton Pike southbound remains closed. Motorists using that exit will continue north on I-295 to Exit 69, follow Route 206 southbound to I-295 southbound and take Exit 68B to Franklin Corner Road, also known as County Route 546, eastbound toward Princeton Pike.
The work is part of a $19.7 million federally funded project to replace the existing Princeton Pike bridge over I-295, which NJDOT has identified as being in poor condition.
The replacement bridge is being constructed in stages, with work taking place on one side at a time to accommodate traffic during construction.
The new structure will feature a reinforced concrete deck while maintaining the existing roadway configuration. Each direction will have a 12-foot through lane, a 12-foot auxiliary lane, a 12-foot outside shoulder, a 2-foot inside shoulder and a 6-foot-wide sidewalk. A 6-foot raised median will separate opposing traffic.
The project also will increase the minimum vertical clearance over I-295 from 14 feet, 1 inch to 16 feet, 6 inches, providing additional clearance for trucks and other large vehicles traveling beneath the bridge.
Construction is expected to be completed in summer 2027. NJDOT said the timing of the upcoming closures may change depending on weather or other conditions. Motorists can find updated construction information and real-time traffic conditions at www.511nj.org.
