This is primarily a photo post featuring drone shots of the Bellmawr Missing Moves road project, but we start out with an update on the Direct Connection wall collapse.
The photos come to us from Mike Kruce Photography and were taken at the end of December. Mike runs a full photography studio. Check out his site and Facebook. The Spring Real Estate season is almost here and Mike can handle all of your home selling photography needs!
While the Direct Connection and it’s retaining wall collapse gets all the attention, I think the photos are more important to understanding the Missing Moves project, which is more spread out across a wide area and may not be easy for commuters to understand.
Not that the Direct Connection project is easy to understand either!
So first a quick update on the Direct Connection Wall Collapse from some of our media friends.
Direct Connection Wall Collapse : Quick Update
Since I know readers will ask about the status of the Direct Connection collapsed wall, let’s first say that no official final findings or plans have been released.
As a very quick review: Direct Connection is a $900+ Million dollar project centered in Bellmawr NJ with a core design goal of straightening out Route 295 in the area, and provide more direct passageways for cars moving through. In 2021 a large wall and road collapse took place on an unopened stretch of roadway.
In our September 2021 article we posted the NJDOT identified water problems under the foundation as a contributing factor but gave no other details.
PBS WHYY and NJ.Com provide additional details on the collapse and the NJDOT plans to rebuild.
PBS WHYY
In early December 2021, WHYY posted an article with updated information from NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti.
It is stated that the draft report will be completed in a few weeks (of the Dec 9th datae), then it would be sent for a legal review.
The Commissioner again stated that water in the area as well as an extraordinary amount of rain, were key factors in the collapse.
That being said, the Commissioner feels they are in good position to develop a new wall that will not be affected by future heavy rains, and they’ve already started the redesign process.
it is expected that the balance of the old wall would be demolished so that a new one could be developed.
Read more at PBS WHYY.
NJ.Com
Over at NJ.Com they posted this month on the 10 largest New Jersey road projects, and offer other details for Bellmawr’s Direct Connection.
The spoke with NJDOT spokesperson James Barry who offered:
“The investigation of the wall collapse is expected to be completed. A repair is being designed and may start in 2022,” Barry said. “The cost of the wall repairs cannot be determined until after a repair is designed.”
NJDOT Spokesperson James Barry to NJ.com
The NJ.com gives additional information on other aspects of the project which I feel we’ve also covered. But head over to NJ.com to read if you want to read that larger write up (and learn about other big projects)
Missing Moves Drone Photos : Late December 2021
Missing Moves Bellmawr is separate from the large Direct Connection project also in Bellmawr, yet related. Missing Moves will allow traffic on Route 42 North to travel directly onto 295 South… and of course the reverse. This is currently not a supported traffic pattern hence the… Missing Moves name.
You can read more about the project in our other posts:
- Bellmawr Missing Moves Starts 2019. Mega Video: Missing Moves, Landfill, and Direct Connect Update
- Bellmawr Missing Moves Project Awarded! Starts Spring 2020. $180 Million Project to Connect 42n to 295s (and back). Aerial Video
- What Is Going On Next to Rt 42 in Bellmawr? Missing Moves! First “In Progress” Video Update (Oct 2020)
- Bellmawr Missing Moves First Horizontal Steel Beams Go Up! Project Photo Update
Similar to a ground level view post I did in October 2021, we will follow the path of the Missing Moves from Route 42 North, and show how the path will connect with Route 295
Missing Moves starting ramp on the right of Route 42 North.
Following the ramp up to where they recently installed curved steel roadway supports.
Ramp curves towards Route 42
Close to the top of the ramp you can see how the road will curve towards and over Route 42 to the supports on the other side. We believe a center support still needs to be installed in the center median of Route 42.
Showing the expected curve across 42
Below is the same photo but zoomed in, modified by the 42Freeway Graphics Art team to show how the final roadway will be positioned.
42 North steel roadway supports
From the other side of 42, a bonus side view of the recently installed steel roadway beams. The new entrance/exit to 42 North can be seen underneath
Reverse look down 42 South
Through Small Industrial Area Towards 295
Continuing our forward trek towards 295, the support columns for the elevated roadway are seen through the small industrial area.
Portions of the elevated road will be dirt
Just past the small industrial area, the elevated road becomes supported by a manmade dirt hill until it reaches Creek Road. This was done presumably for cost savings.
Closer to Creek Road Can Clearly See The Raised Dirt
Moving closer to Creek Road you can more clearly see how the new roadway is raised via a manmade hill, before reconnecting to the bridge over Creek Rd
The South side of the new roadway over Creek Road.
View of Missing Moves as it crosses Creek Rd and approaches 295.
The recently constructed overpass and decking is the South heading side of Missing Moves (295N to 42S). I believe they have since started putting the North side segment in place. You can see how the road curves to connect with 295
Connection area to 295.
The large roadway is Route 295. The more complete curved ramp is for cars traveling from 295 North. The supports seen will carty traffic from 42 North to 295 South, connecting with that large ramp in the distance.
Reverse Angle where bridge crossing 295 will be added.
Looking back over 295
Large ramp on lower left will carry traffic down to 295 South
The partially completed new Creek Road bridge.
What is in place now is just 1/2 or so of the final bridge width. You can see a white concrete support to the left of the new bridge which will hold up the wider roadway when completed. Some are confused driving it now in thinking this is the finished bridge.
Bellmawr Industrial Park Entrance
A bonus shot.. back over at the Bellmawr Industrial Park entrance of Benigno Blvd, they entrance will be shifted over. As seen in this drone shot they had paved the roadway and added the new sidewalks. That straight road on the left will be removed, as will that entrance to 42 (which will be moved further down)
