New Route 42 / Interstate 295 Ramps Finally Open in Bellmawr, NJ

Driving in South Jersey got a little bit easier Tuesday morning as new ramps connecting Route 42 and Interstate 295 opened after years of construction.

The $180 million federally funded project now directly connects northbound Route 42 to southbound Interstate 295 along with northbound Interstate 295 to the southbound 42 Freeway.

What does that mean for drivers? Gone are the days of having to take a series of exit ramps and turns to get to where you wanted to go.

For the past several decades, motorists had to continue northbound on Route 42 (technically Interstate 76 at that point), cross two lanes of 295 traffic trying to merge on 42/76 so they could quickly use Exit 1C, then make a left onto Market Street only to have to jump on a ramp that would put you back onto southbound 76/42 to meet up with an exit for either 295 or 42, depending on your destination.

At best, it was chaotic even on the easiest of travel days. At worst, it was an absolute nightmare.

But now those days are history.

Getting from northbound 42 to southbound 295 or vice versa is now as easy as just using one directly connected ramp.

In addition to those new overpasses, the ramp from northbound Route 55 onto Route 42 was widened to two lanes, which will certainly ease congestion and also offer an indirect connection between 55 and 295, making travel that much more seamless.

Also, the Creek Road exit in Bellmawr was completely rebuilt and modernized.

A long road ahead

While drivers are celebrating these new ramps opening, years of work still remain as construction will eventually eliminate the dangerous 42/295 weaves.

That work is scheduled to run through 2027.