The NJDOT Direct Connection project in Bellmawr continues to make impressive progress. Steel girders are now spanning Browning Road, motorists could soon be driving on the massive new I-295 flyover, and many people still don’t realize the project also includes a second tunnel.
video is at the bottom of the article!
The Direct Connection is a New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) project in Bellmawr designed to straighten the I-295 corridor, replacing the outdated, slow-speed interchange with dedicated highway-speed roadways. When complete, the project is expected to cost more than $900 million.
This is an observational construction update where I use my drone to capture video, document progress, and explain what’s happening on one of South Jersey’s largest transportation projects. This article is a written companion to my latest YouTube video, but be sure to watch the full video for a much more detailed look at the construction progress. Latest Video at the bottom of this article.
My previous construction update was published during the July 4th holiday weekend. (YouTube)
Steel Girders Now Span Browning Road
One of the key elements of improving traffic flow on I-295 is elevating the highway over the complex network of existing roadways below.
Ultimately, three major elevated roadways will cross over Browning Road. During the past week, crews installed the first steel girders spanning Browning Road for the Route 42 North to I-295 North flyover, marking another significant milestone for the project.
The other two elevated roadways carry the main I-295 lanes. While substantial steel has already been erected for those structures, they have not yet extended across Browning Road.
Seeing steel now bridge Browning Road really highlights how quickly the project is moving.
Cars Could Be Using the New Flyover in 2027
Just eight months ago, there wasn’t even steel standing on much of the southern portion of the project. Now we’re already talking about traffic driving across these massive elevated roadways.
According to NJDOT, spring 2027 is the current target for opening two of the three new flyover roadways to traffic.
At that time:
- Southbound I-295 traffic will shift onto the new elevated flyover.
- Drivers traveling from Route 42 North to I-295 North will also begin using the long, curved flyover that connects to the elevated roadway constructed during an earlier phase of the project.
The third elevated roadway, carrying I-295 North, will open later as additional work is completed under the project’s fourth construction contract.
One major component of that contract involves removing the large island-like section that currently separates the northbound and southbound Route 42 lanes and includes the center exit ramp. Eliminating that area will allow NJDOT to create a much straighter alignment for Route 42 while completing the final I-295 connections.
The “Second Tunnel” Most Drivers Don’t Know About
One of the most interesting parts of the Direct Connection project is what happens to motorists traveling from I-295 South to Route 42 South.
Today, both I-295 South and Route 42 South traffic use the large, slow-moving Al-Jo’s Curve.
Once southbound I-295 traffic is shifted onto the new elevated flyover, many people naturally wonder how drivers will continue onto Route 42 South.
The answer is another major construction project that’s still ahead.
As part of the fourth construction contract, NJDOT will build a new covered roadway that passes beneath the multiple lanes of I-76 before emerging near Saint Joachim Parish and merging onto Route 42 South.
NJDOT officially refers to this as a covered roadway, but from a driver’s perspective, it will likely feel like traveling through a short, curved tunnel.
Construction has already begun on supporting infrastructure, including a pump station that will remove groundwater from the lower roadway.
One detail I didn’t mention in the video is that after southbound I-295 traffic shifts to the new flyover—currently expected in about nine months—the existing Al-Jo’s Curve will continue serving drivers traveling from I-295 South to Route 42 South until the new covered roadway is completed.
A Project That’s Finally Taking Shape
After years of earthmoving, retaining walls, bridge construction, and utility work, the Direct Connection project is finally reaching the stage where the massive elevated structures are becoming recognizable.
With steel now stretching across Browning Road and traffic expected on portions of the new flyovers next year, South Jersey motorists can finally begin to see how this long-awaited redesign of the Bellmawr interchange will ultimately transform one of New Jersey’s most congested highway connections.
Be sure to check out my latest drone video on YouTube for an up-close look at the newest construction progress and what’s coming next for the NJDOT Direct Connection project.
