At Long Last, Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project Achieves 'Substantial Completion'

LOWER MAKEFIELD, PA — After more than four years of construction along a 4.4-mile-long stretch of I-295 in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project has achieved "substantial completion" as of Friday.

The reconstructed access ramp from NJ Route 175 to I-295 South reopened, propelling the project to this final stage.

All long-term uninterrupted lane and ramp closures are over for the project, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission announced in a news release. Only short-term travel restrictions will be needed to complete remaining project tasks going forward.

The project has now shifted into its final stage of “punch list” work, meaning tasks finalizing the project and checking boxes. Most of these items won't involve travel restrictions.

Among the major work still to be completed in coming months are: removal of the temporary in-river work platform on the Pennsylvania side; removal of bulkheads on the Pennsylvania side; completion of landscaping and riverbank restoration on the New Jersey side; installation of signage and guiderail on Route 175/Upper River Road and entry ramp onto I-295 SB in New Jersey; and installation of Welcome to Pennsylvania signage and completion of electronic traffic monitoring system on the Pennsylvania side of I-295.

The project remains on track to reach its stipulated final completion date of May 27, 2022, the commission said.

This will be the last weekly travel advisory issued for this project. Only periodic travel advisories will be issued going forward, on an as-needed basis.

Pennsylvania side

• I-295 WB — Possible off-peak lane closures 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, to Thursday, Dec. 23.
• I-295 SB and the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge NJ-Bound — Possible off-peak lane closures 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, to Thursday, Dec. 23.
• Taylorsville Road — Right or left lane closures and/or flagging 9 a.m. to 6 a.m. (next day) Monday, Dec. 20, to Thursday, Dec. 23.
• River Road/PA Route 32 — Brief traffic stoppages possible removal of in-river work platform 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, to Thursday, Dec. 23.

New Jersey side

• I-295 NB and the Scudder Falls Toll Bridge (PA-Bound) — Possible off-peak lane closures 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, to Thursday, Dec. 23.
• I-295 SB — Possible off-peak lane closures 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, to Thursday, Dec. 23.
• Route 29 SB Bypass Lane — Daytime closures with traffic diverted through adjacent interchange roundabouts, connector lane and ramps, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, to Thursday, Dec. 23.
• Route 29 NB Bypass Lane — Possible short-term flagging and stoppages 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, to Thursday, Dec. 23.
• Route 175/Upper River Road and entry ramp to I-295 SB — Possible daytime closures 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, to Thursday, Dec. 23. Use nearby Route 29 as an alternate route and access I-295 SB via the southern roundabout at the I-295/Route 29 interchange.

All aforementioned scheduled travel restrictions are subject to change due to weather, emergencies, traffic, and equipment and materials mobilization. Drivers are urged to allow extra time to reach their destinations, reduce speeds and exercise caution when traveling through project work areas.

No project-related lane closures are scheduled for the weekends of Dec. 18-19 and Dec. 25-26.

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