The opening of the PA Turnpike/I-95 Interchange flyovers have completed I-95’s “missing link.” As such, I-95 is now routed along the PA Turnpike from the new interchange in Bristol, Pennsylvania, over the Delaware River Bridge into New Jersey, and north along the New Jersey Turnpike to meet where the northern stem of I-95 was previously established in New Jersey. In conjunction with this I-95 designation, the previous I-95 segment north of the PA Turnpike needed to be redesignated as I-295 — from the PA Turnpike, through Bucks County, Pennsylvania, crossing the Scudder Falls Bridge into New Jersey at US 1 / I-295.
Representatives from federal, state, and regional transportation agencies coordinated with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)’s Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering. The Committee felt that an even-numbered designation, indicating a beltway/loop configuration, was more appropriate, as the conversion connects the expanded I-295 with I-95 in both Wilmington, Delaware, and in Bristol, Pennsylvania. An odd-numbered designation does not apply here, as odd-numbered interstate numbering is reserved for spur routes.
I-295’s southernmost terminus remains at I-95 in Wilmington, Delaware. The interstate has been signed with the North/South cardinal directions in New Jersey to the Scudder Falls Bridge, along the Delaware River upstream of Trenton. At that point, I-295 continues into Pennsylvania, designated as I-295 East/West until its new termination point at the PA Turnpike/I-95 interchange.
Officials from the Federal Highway Administration, New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, New Jersey Department of Transportation, and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation held meetings years ago to determine the best redesignation option. During these meetings, the officials discussed the advantages of each option. Part of the discussions evaluating future designation options indicated that there had always been driver confusion in New Jersey at the I-295/US 1/I-95 interchange and approaches and that the impacts of the selected alternative needed to consider those drivers, as well as those who use portions of the interstate between US 1 and the Scudder Falls Bridge.
Ultimately, after a submittal to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)’s Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering, the I-295 extension was recommended as the preferred option. This even numbered option was selected due to the segment’s new configuration as a loop/beltway, connecting I-95 in both Bristol, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware. The option was formally approved in May 2015.
The determination for the cardinal directions was also part of the recommendation by the Special Committee on U.S. Numbering. The North/South directions in New Jersey were directed to maintain consistency with the rest of I-295 throughout the state, addressing previous driver confusion, mentioned above, at the I-295/US 1/I-95 interchange. The East/West directions in Pennsylvania were directed in order to reinforce the obvious exit/departure from the I-95 North/South alignment at the point of the new flyovers (current PA Turnpike crossing in Bristol, Pennsylvania).
The final result provides a natural transition point from North/South to East/West at the Scudder Falls bridge (PA/NJ state line). It also allows for an extension of continuous I-295 North/South mileage and exit numbers in New Jersey, while distinguishing it from the segment of I-295 in Pennsylvania.
Because I-95 is now routed onto the PA Turnpike east of the new interchange in Bristol, Pennsylvania, cars traveling to destinations further north (I-95 through traffic) can utilize this new route to remain on I-95. The PA Turnpike/I-95 Interchange project has been designed to accommodate this anticipated increased traffic flow.
There are no tolling changes associated with this redesignation conversion. Within the re-signing limits, a westbound toll (implemented in January 2016) is collected via E-ZPass and Toll by Plate along the Turnpike Connector Bridge across the Delaware River.
New Jersey residents who previously used I-295 to I-95 South via the Scudder Falls Bridge for interstate travel can continue to use the same physical routes. However, I-95 South in New Jersey has been redesignated as (a continuation of) I-295 North across the Scudder Falls Bridge, where it now changes to I-295 West in Pennsylvania to the PA Turnpike. For a full list of interchange exit number changes, please find a comprehensive graphic here.
Pennsylvania residents who previously used I-95 North and the Scudder Falls Bridge for interstate travel can continue to use the same physical routes. However, I-95 North in Pennsylvania above the PA Turnpike has been redesignated as I-295 East to the Scudder Falls Bridge. Upon crossing into New Jersey, the designation changes to I-295 South, which can be traveled throughout the state of New Jersey to the Delaware Memorial Bridge. For a full list of interchange exit number changes, please find a comprehensive graphic here.
The physical improvements/construction associated with the renumbering included overlays on existing sign panels in addition to new sign panels and/or new sign structures where required by design standards.
Yes. The agencies’ representatives have continued to coordinate with mapping/navigation applications’ representatives to facilitate the implementation of the change. Additionally, as the applications are user-based, this has helped to dynamically transition the change in the interstates’ designations. To supplement the changes, “old exit” numbers and portable message signs have been utilized throughout the transition time period.
None of the construction activities associated with the redesignation required traffic detours.
Ramps accommodating the movements listed above were included in the Interchange Project’s preliminary design. However, when the project was restaged in 2010 due to funding constraints, only the two (2) primary movements connecting I-95 northbound to I-276 eastbound and I-276 westbound to I-95 southbound were progressed through final design as Stage 1. These are the two (2) movements that were opened on September 22, 2018.
Although the ramps accommodating the movements listed above will not be constructed at this time, once funding becomes available for Stage 2, final design on these ramps can proceed, and they can be constructed.
Detailed information for each agency/project can be found by clicking the links in FAQs 15 through 17 below.
The extension of I-295 North/South from its previous terminus at Route 1 to the Scudder Falls bridge in addition to the I-295 conversion in Pennsylvania to I-295 East/West have both been completed. I-295 East/West terminates at the PA Turnpike. The new exit signs are supplemented with “old exit” signs to reduce confusion. The comprehensive exit number changes of the interchanges that have been re-signed, can be found
here.
Additional information on the PA Turnpike/I-95 Interchange Project is listed on the project’s website.
Additional information on the Scudder Falls Bridge Project, for which the redesignation signing activities have completed, is listed on the project’s website.
Additional information on the NJDOT Redesignation Signing Project, for which the redesignation signing activities have completed, is listed here.