Route 295 Improvements – 7 Interchanges

Taylor Wiseman & Taylor performed the initial improvement studies for Interchanges 14 through 20, followed by the preliminary and final design of 7 interchanges, which included 7 multi-span bridges, 17 signalized intersections, NJDEP Individual Freshwater Wetland & Stream Encroachment Permits, resulting in over $65 million in construction costs. TWT performed all required survey, highway and traffic engineering, bridge/structural design, and geotechnical services for the project.

The existing freeway consisted of two concrete lanes in each direction, separated by a 60-foot wide median. New construction consisted of adding a third lane in the median for both directions of traffic, constructing a new inside shoulder, milling and resurfacing of all accel/decel lanes and reconstruction of all outside shoulders. The remaining median was paved over and traffic was separated by either a dual face guide rail or a concrete barrier curb.

A decision was made by the Federal Highway Administration to restore the existing concrete slabs and to add the third lane in concrete. All existing concrete slabs along the entire length of the project were inspected to determine any defects. These areas were located on plan, with repairs consisting of either full slab replacement, partial slab replacement or partial depth slab repair. All existing concrete joints were sealed and grinding was performed on all existing concrete after repairs to increase skid resistance, minimize elevation differences at joints and reduce rutting created by tire wear.

Additionally, as experimental work requested by FHWA, both inside and outside shoulders along approximately one-third of the project were constructed of concrete. Providing this third lane also required widening of the existing five-span bridge over Mantua Creek. Minimum water clearance, girder spacing and traffic control requirements necessitated removal of the existing bridge deck, placement of supplemental girders and raising the bridge profile. Other items in the plans developed included improvement to existing drainage and outside guide rail.