Project Overview

Total Project Area: 4.4 miles along I-95 from Yardley-Newtown Road/Route 332 Interchange (Exit 49) in Pennsylvania to Bear Tavern Road/Route 579 (Exit 2) in New Jersey

Major Project Elements:

  • Replace the current congestion-prone, functionally obsolete Scudder Falls Bridge with a dual-span structure carrying six thru-traffic lanes (three in each direction) and three auxiliary lanes (two northbound, one southbound) for traffic merging onto and off the bridge.
  • Widen to the inside the bridge’s Pennsylvania I-95 approach, increasing the roadway to three lanes in each direction.
  • Reconstruct the entire I-95/Route 29 Interchange (Exit 1) and its associated ramps and structures in Ewing, N.J.
  • Reconfigure the I-95/Taylorville Road Interchange (Exit 51) in Lower Makefield, PA.
  • Erect noise-abatement walls where warranted in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. (PA noise walls began in 2016)
  • Improve/expand drainage and approach-roadway exit/entry transitions in New Jersey.
  • Construct a pedestrian/bicycle walkway on the new bridge’s upstream side, connecting the recreational canal towpaths in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
  • Install an all-electronic tolling (AET) gantry and related infrastructure for highway-speed toll collection along the new bridge’s southbound lanes through E-ZPass tag readers and high-speed video cameras for license-plate billing.
  • Mitigate environmental impacts from construction to protect shortnose sturgeon, red-bellied turtles, Indiana bats, yellow lampmussels, wetlands, and other natural and cultural resources.

Electronic Tolling Start (southbound only):  Sometime in 2019.

Estimated Full Project Duration: 4-1/2 years

Learn More

New Scudder Falls Bridge and Interchange Map

Project Progress Photos – July 2017

Construction Progress Photos

 

NOTICE: Construction activities are currently taking place weeknights at the New Jersey landing area for the upstream span of the Scudder Falls Replacement Bridge.  This work involves vibrartion driving of coffer dam piling with the use of cranes and other heavy equipment.  Noise-intensive work that had been taking place until 2 a.m. must now stop at 11 p.m. until further notice.    

Project Videos

Project Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXq9L3Jm7iw

AET Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq_8BEokUrw

Travel Advisory -- Week of Sept. 24

The following travel restrictions are schedule in the 4.4-mile project area during the week of Sept. 24:

Pennsylvania side

  • I-95 north from the Route 332/Newtown-Yardley interchange (Exit 49) to the Scudder Falls Bridge – intermittent single-lane travel configurations 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. (following day) Monday, Sept. 25 through Friday, Sept. 29.
  • I-95 south from the Scudder Falls Bridge to the Route 332/Newtown-Yardley interchange (exit 49) – intermittent single-lane travel configurations 8 p.m. to 2 p.m. (next day) Monday, Sept. 258 through Friday, Sept. 29.
  • Woodside Road west of Taylorsville Road – Intermittent alternating single-lane travel controlled by flaggers 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25 to Friday, Sept. 29.
  • River Road/Route 32 – Intermittent alternating single-lane travel controlled by flaggers 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25 to Friday, Sept. 29.
  • Rte. 332/Newtown-Yardley ramp to I-95 north – Narrowed lane with mandatory stop, 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. (following day) Monday, Sept. 25 to Friday, Sept. 29.

New Jersey side

  • Route 29 – Single-lane travel each direction in vicinity of bridge, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25 to Friday, Sept. 29.

Weekends: No project-related lane closures are currently scheduled for Sept. 23-24 and Sept. 30-Oct. 30.

Construction Update - Week of Sept. 24

  • Route 332/Newtown-Yardley interchange (Exit 49) - Continue drainage connections work.
  • PA I-95 highway median - Soil excavation, grading, drainage work, and retaining wall construction where warranted.
  • Taylorsville Road interchange (Exit 51) - Continue construction of stormwater basin in southwest infield.
  • Woodside Road west of Taylorsville Road - Widening work consisting of drainage installation/curbing/ base courses/paving.
  • Pennsylvania side of replacement bridge's upstream span (vicinity of River and Woodside roads) – Continue preparations for all-electronic-tolling building to be constructed adjacent to new bridge's PA approach and begin work on 72-inch culvert pipe beneath existing I-95 bridge approach; install piles for new upstream bridge span's PA abutment; complete work on cofferdam for land-based bridge pier and begin drilled-shaft installation.
  • New Jersey side of replacement bridge (betwen Route 29 south and river) – Continue extending trestle causeway into river and installation of land-based pier cofferdam and begin related excavation within the cofferdam.
  • I-95/Route 29 interchange (Exit 1) area – Continue earthwork and drainage activities for various temporary ramps; continue construction of support piers for two new interchange ramps; and continue installing temporary excavation supports at NJ abutment for Scudder Falls Replacement Bridge's upstream span.
  • NJ Route 175/River Road -- Continue utility relocation work.