The October 2026 Direct Connection update in Bellmawr shows major progress: I-295 southbound steel girders have started to extend over Browning Road, and the Route 42 northbound to I-295 northbound flyover has a fully poured concrete deck.
This article accompanies my longer YouTube video, linked below. Browse the photos and commentary, watch the video for a closer look, or check out both!
The approximately $1 billion Direct Connection project is rebuilding how I-295 moves through the interchange with Route 42 and I-76, raising the highway above the other roadways to create a more direct, highway-speed route.
42Freeway has regularly covered construction since work kicked into high gear last year, particularly on the three flyovers.
It’s been about six weeks since my last video. An eye issue kept me off camera for a bit, and several weeks also passed without much additional steel going up as crews focused on other construction tasks such as concrete.
I’ve visited several times recently, with these photos and commentary based on my Sunday visit.
Route 42 North to I-295 North Flyover
The Route 42 northbound flyover was the first elevated segment to receive significant attention of the three, and its entire span now has a poured concrete deck.
That includes the stretch from the “Dukes of Hazzard” ramp to the main raised roadway.
This is a two-lane section expected to begin carrying traffic in spring 2027, although the initial opening is anticipated to be one lane.
At the raised roadway, traffic will eventually merge with I-295 northbound, bringing five lanes into three before continuing north to reconnect with the existing lower level highway.
The separate I-295 northbound flyover also has its steel girders fully installed. Green reinforcing steel now covers the roadway surface, providing reinforcement for the concrete deck.
I-295 South: Steel Over Browning Road
After several quieter weeks regarding steel installation, crews kicked back into high gear on I-295 southbound.
Over the weekend, two long girders were added over Browning Road. I believe these may be the longest girders in the project.
They are the first two of six for this segment. As discussed in earlier updates, crews install the first girders in pairs so they can connect them with cross-bracing before adding the remaining pieces.
Due to the span length several readers expected another concrete pier north of Browning Road. The current installation makes clear that an additional pier is not part of this span.
There is also a horizontal support connection just south of the Browning Road bridge, a detail that may help explain the arrangement for those comparing it with the adjacent flyover.
After these six long girders are installed, another segment farther south will still need its six girders.
Concrete Pier Repair
Readers also asked about visible repair work on a concrete pier near Browning Road.
During an earlier girder installation for the Route 42 northbound flyover, equipment used for final placement was positioned too close to the concrete edge and chipped it.
The contractor submitted a repair plan that NJDOT engineers approved, and that work is being completed.
What Opens Next?
Two flyovers are expected to carry traffic in spring 2027: Route 42 northbound to I-295 northbound, and I-295 southbound.
The separate I-295 northbound route will follow later. My expectation is sometime in 2027, but additional work remains at its northern connection to the existing highway.
For more on the Route 42 and I-295 northbound connections, check out my deeper article and video update from six weeks ago.
My October construction update video is below!
