Interstate 295 in Delaware and New Jersey is metropolitan Philadelphia's eastern bypass, even though it currently does not enter Pennsylvania. Interstate 295 crosses the twin span Delaware Memorial Bridge to the south, then parallels the New Jersey Turnpike. It serves the South Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia, before ending up on Trenton's half-beltway. At its southern end, Interstate 295 meets Interstate 95 near Interstate 495 in Delaware.
The first span of the Delaware Memorial Bridge opened on August 15, 1951, and the second span opened in 1968. The bridge is the longest twin-span suspension bridge in the world. The main spans are 2,150 feet long, with a total length of 3,650 feet. The bridge is administered by the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA). For more, visit the Delaware Memorial Bridge official web page.
Future Aspirations
The future of Interstate 295 is linked to the future of the missing Interstate 95 section in New Jersey. For a time in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Interstate 295 was planned to be extended around Trenton into Pennsylvania upon the relocation of Interstate 95. Construction for this new connection for Interstate 95 to use the Pennsylvania Turnpike east into New Jersey Turnpike is scheduled to begin in 2007 and be completed in 2010. An additional Delaware River span is planned for construction beginning around 2013. Relocating Interstate 95 to the Pennsylvania Turnpike would orphan a large stretch of existing Interstate 95 north of Bristol, Pennsylvania, and this section would to be have to be renumbered. Initial reports indicated that this section of Interstate 95 would become Interstate 295, but now it appears that this section will instead be designated as an extension of Interstate 195 west into Pennsylvania. With this change, the Interstate 295 northern terminus would be retracted to the Interstate 195 interchange near White Horse, New Jersey. See PA Turnpike/I-95 Interchange Project: FAQ for more on the proposed extension of Interstate 195 over Interstate 95.2
Planned Improvements
One significant bottleneck along Interstate 295 exists at its interchange with Interstate 76 and New Jersey 42. Through traffic along northbound Interstate 295 must slow to 35 miles per hour via a transition ramp. Potential solutions include straightening out the highway so that Interstate 295 through traffic does not have to slow down. For more on the potential solutions, see New Jersey State Department of Transportation. (Thanks to Bob Smith for informing us of the study.)
Source: October 31, 2002 Interstate Route Log and Finders List; NOTE - Interstate 295 is planned for extension to Bristol, Pennsylvania, via current Interstate 95 once the Interstate 95/276 interchange is completed.
A look at history in this southbound photograph of Interstate 295 at the U.S. 40 westbound split to U.S. 13/Dupont Highway. Two major historical points here: 1) U.S. 301, the lengthy highway between the state of Delaware and Sarasota, Florida saw its original terminus here at the first Interstate 295 interchange. U.S. 301 remained on Interstate 295 area guide signs for the first Exit until about 1996. 2) U.S. 202, another substantially long route between the Small Wonder and Bangor, Maine. This route also saw its terminus at the same interchange, and is featured in this photograph on the right-hand panel! U.S. 202 was relocated to Interstate 95 and Delaware 141 by the 1984. Before that relocation, U.S. 202 saw truncation to the intersection of Concord Avenue and Market Street in the East-Lawn section of Wilmington. It is unclear when the truncation occurred. At the time of this photograph, Interstate 495 was just a proposed route. Therefore there is no mentioning of the 3-digit Interstate on the Interstate 295 panels for its conclusion. Photo taken by Michael Summa (1969).
This view shows Interstate 295 south after it splits with U.S. 40 at the Dupont Highway interchange/U.S. 13. This sign bridge, with signage installed as of Winter 1995, shows the lane allocation for the six lane freeway as it prepares to merge onto Interstate 95/Delaware Turnpike southbound. There are also ramps to Interstate 495 northbound, Interstate 95/U.S. 202 northbound, and Delaware 141 northbound. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (03/95).
Traffic by default of Interstate 295 southbound is diverted to Interstate 95 southbound. The ramps for Interstates 95 and 495 have been passed by this point, with only an Exit 5 ramp to the Delaware 141 freeway to Newport remaining before Interstate 295 merges onto Interstate 95. Note that the control cities of Delaware 141 includes that of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This sign reflects the connection of Delaware 141 with its parent Delaware 41, a state route that ultimately becomes Pennsylvania 41 en route to U.S. 30 near the town of Gap. The city is used to benefit long distance travelers that crossed the Delaware via the Interstate 295/U.S. 40 Delaware Memorial Bridge. Vidcap taken by Alex Nitzman (01/25/99).
Perspective from Interstate 95 north
The first in a series of sign bridges with Interstates 95, 295, 495, and the New Jersey Turnpike. Interstate 95 maintains eight lanes of travel from the Delaware Turnpike toll plaza eastward to the split with Interstate 295. The split itself will see two lanes allocated for Interstate 295 and three for Interstates 95 and 495. Since this is such a pivotal location of traffic movement between the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with motorists departing Interstate 95 for the Delaware Memorial Bridge versus those continuing to Wilmington and Philadelphia, many signs are posted to ensure that motorists move into the proper lane for the route in which they wish to take. Ahead is the eight-lane causeway that carries Interstate 95 over the Christiana Marsh. The watershed is part of the Artesian Water supply for the Wilmington metropolitan area. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (03/00).
The right two lanes exit onto Interstate 295, which follows the Delaware Memorial Bridge over the Delaware River into New Jersey. Upon entering New Jersey, Interstate 295 will immediately split into the New Jersey Turnpike north (most direct route to New York City), U.S. 40 east, and Interstate 295 north to Camden and Trenton. The left three lanes will connect to Interstate 95 and Interstate 495 north to Wilmington and Philadelphia. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (04/24/05).
After crossing the marsh, Interstate 95 approaches the junction with U.S. 202 and Delaware 141 (Exits 5A-B). Delaware 141 follows an expressway (near freeway alignment) for several miles, then reverts to a suburban roadway. This interchange is generally very busy. The Interstate 295 junction is just ahead. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (04/24/05).
Interstate 95 north connects with U.S. 202 and Delaware 141 south at Exit 5A. From here, Interstate 95 and U.S. 202 north will join together; they will split at Exit 8 near downtown Wilmington. Lane allocations are provided for the upcoming junction with Interstate 295 north to U.S. 40 east to New Jersey and New York. Stay left for Interstate 95 and Interstate 495 north to Wilmington and Philadelphia, respectively. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (04/24/05).
Interstate 295 begins at this gore point of Interstate 95 northbound (Exit 5C). This scene shows a fair amount of traffic incoming from around the Delaware 141 interchange. However, even this amount of traffic is not as much on a typical commuting day. In fact, this section of freeway regularly sees traffic counts over 150,000 per day. During peak travel times, such as holidays and summer weekends, it is not uncommon to find traffic delays of Interstate 295 bleed onto Interstate 95 from this point westward two to three miles. Lost in the blitz of this split, is Exit 5B for the northbound Delaware 141 freeway. The cloverleaf ramp branches from Interstate 295 in about one-fourth of a mile. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (04/24/05).
Continuing beyond the gore point, Interstate 95 prepares to split with Interstate 495, the eastern bypass for the city of Wilmington. To the right, two northbound lanes of Interstate 295 see a reassurance panel, as southbound Delaware 141 scoots overhead. In the background is the Exit 5B off-ramp to Delaware 141 northbound. Traffic to/from Delaware 141 to Interstate 295 northbound utilizes a collector-distributor roadway. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (04/24/05).
Interstate 295 parallels Interstate 95 closely in a configuration that resembles a dual freeway. The offramp to northbound Delaware 141 is available only from the Interstate 295 northbound lanes. Meanwhile, Interstate 95 and Interstate 495 prepare to split. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (04/24/05).
Perspective from Interstate 95 and U.S. 202 south
Now traveling south on Interstate 95 and U.S. 202 through Wilmington, the next exit is a right-lane exit only connection to Delaware 52/Delaware Avenue at Exit 7. From there, the next three exits along southbound Interstate 95/Delaware Expressway are: Exit 6, Junction Delaware 4/Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard; Exit (no exit number), Junction Interstate 295/Delaware Memorial Bridge to U.S. 40 east; and Exits 5B-A, Junction U.S. 202 and Delaware 141. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
Southbound Interstate 95 and U.S. 202 meet Delaware 52/Delaware Avenue at Exits 7B-A, with Exit 7B connecting to northbound and Exit 7A connecting to southbound. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
The next exit is Exit 7A, Delaware 52 south to downtown Wilmington. Following that is Exit 6, Junction Delaware 4/Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Junction Delaware 9 (Fourth Street). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
Through downtown Wilmington, Interstate 95 remains only four lanes (two in each direction). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
Another mileage sign for southbound Interstate 95 and U.S. 202 is posted near the offramp for Exit 6, Junction Delaware 4 and Delaware 9. The next three exits after Exit 6 are: Exit (no exit number), Junction Interstate 295/Delaware Memorial Bridge to U.S. 40 east; Exits 5B-A, Junction U.S. 202 and Delaware 141; and Exit 4, Junction Delaware 1 south to Dover. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
Meeting Delaware 4/Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Delaware 9/Fourth Street at Exit 6, a standalone sign for Interstate 295 north is posted on the overpass. The junction with Interstate 295 is 2.50 miles south of Exit 6. Note that Exit 6 is the final downtown Wilmington interchange. Note that there is no connection to northbound Interstate 495 from southbound Interstate 95. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
Since the Delaware Memorial Bridge plays such a pivotal role in the region, access to Interstate 295 northbound is granted from all directions. This sign bridge, posted on Interstate 95/U.S. 202 southbound, shows the lane allocation for the northbound return ramp to Interstate 295. This ramp however, is used more by Delawareans going to/from the New Castle region to/from work in the city of Wilmington, than it is by long-distance travelers to the state of New Jersey. Interstate 95 saw three lanes through this interchange up to 2000. When the 2000 reconstruction of Interstate 95 from the city of Wilmington northward began, Interstate 95 saw a reduction in lanes at this interchange from three to two southbound lanes. This lane striping was done to accommodate an additional southbound lane from Interstate 495 onto Interstate 95. Before the 2000 project began, only one lane facilitated traffic onto Interstate 95 directly from the six lane bypass of Wilmington. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
New guide sign as of Spring 2000 for Interstate 295 northbound from Interstate 95/U.S. 202 southbound. This exit is unnumbered but is technically Exit 5C in the northbound direction (Interstate 495 is Exit 5D). The results of the lane striping mentioned in the above photobox converted the left-hand lane into an exit-only affair for Interstate 295. Traffic continuing on Interstate 95 faces merging traffic from Interstate 495, Interstate 295, and U.S. 202/Delaware 141. This choke point results in daily delays during the afternoon peak hours of traffic. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
Perspective from Interstate 295 north
Now traveling north on Interstate 295 and east on U.S. 40 in the morning, the Delaware Memorial Bridge towers come into view. The freeway crosses over the Delaware River to connect the First State with the Garden State. At the eastern approach to the bridge, Interstate 295 connects to the New Jersey Turnpike. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
The first span of the Delaware Memorial Bridge opened on August 15, 1951, and the second span opened in 1968. The bridge is the longest twin-span suspension bridge in the world. The main spans are 2,150 feet long, with a total length of 3,650 feet. The bridge is administered by the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/12/05).
The twin-span bridge carries four eastbound lanes (with no shoulder). Interstate 295, the New Jersey Turnpike, and U.S. 40 will split apart at the eastern approach from the bridge. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05).
Lane signals advise motorists on which lanes are open for use as we reach the crest of the bridge. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05).
Entering New Jersey, traffic on northbound Interstate 295 has the following options: left two lanes for the New Jersey Turnpike (secret New Jersey 700) north and U.S. 40 east; middle two lanes for Interstate 295 and U.S. 130; and the right lane for Exit 1A, Junction New Jersey 49. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05).
The left three lanes exit left to connect to the New Jersey Turnpike (secret New Jersey 700) north and U.S. 40 east. The right two lanes carry Interstate 295 and U.S. 130 north to Camden. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05).
The interchange that serves as the split between Interstate 295 and the New Jersey Turnpike is also the southern terminus of U.S. 130. From here, Interstate 295 travels north to Camden and Trenton. The New Jersey Turnpike is a long-distance route to Newark and New York City. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05).
Perspective from U.S. 13 and Delaware 1 north
Now traveling north on Delaware 1, there are signs pointing to the connection to Interstate 295 north ... via U.S. 13/DuPont Highway north. The connection to Interstate 295 is made via U.S. 13-40/DuPont Highway. Otherwise, Delaware 1 continues north to merge onto Interstate 95 north to Wilmington and south to Baltimore. NOTE: despite what these signs imply, you can take Delaware 1 to Interstate 95 north to Interstate 295 north! Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/08/04).
A diagrammatical sign advises that the left two lanes connect to U.S. 13/DuPont Highway north to Interstate 295 north, while the right two lanes continue north on Delaware 1 to Interstate 95 north to Wilmington and south to Baltimore. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/08/04).
Another diagrammatical sign for U.S. 13 and Interstate 295 is posted. Note the control cities for U.S. 13 north: New Jersey and New York as well as the city of New Castle, which is situated along the Delaware River south of Wilmington in the shadow of the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/08/04).
U.S. 13 and Delaware 1 split at Exit 156. From here, U.S. 13 will travel northeast on a divided highway (with at-grade intersections). Merging with U.S. 40 east at Llangollen Estates, U.S. 13-40 meet U.S. 202 and Delaware 141 in New Castle, then intersect with Interstate 295 shortly thereafter. U.S. 40 east merges onto Interstate 295/Delaware Memorial Bridge to cross over the Delaware River, then splits toward Atlantic City, New Jersey. Interstate 295 connects directly to the New Jersey Turnpike, then aims north toward Camden and Trenton. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/08/04).
Northern Terminus - Interstate 95/U.S. 1 - Trenton, New Jersey
Perspective from Interstate 295 north
End/begin signage on Interstate 295 northbound as it prepares to convert to Interstate 95. This sign will become obsolete, as Interstate 295 will see an extension to the Keystone state upon completion of the Interstate 95 relocation to the Pennsylvania Turnpike connection to the New Jersey Turnpike. The time table for the Interstate 95 project see construction start by 2008 and completion by 2012. Photo taken by AARoads (08/30/05).
The final interchange on Interstate 295 is Exits 67A-B, Junction U.S. 1. U.S. 1 travels south into Trenton, then crosses the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. Photo taken by AARoads (08/30/05).
Use U.S. 1 north to Princeton, and thence north toward Newark and New York City. Through traffic to New York City will find the New Jersey Turnpike (which is signed as the continuation of Interstate 95 north) the best route. Photo taken by AARoads (08/30/05).
Northbound Interstate 295 meets U.S. 1 at Exits 67A-B. From this point forward, Interstate 295 traffic is defaulted onto Interstate 95 south. This is a temporary condition, until Interstate 95 is rerouted onto the Pennsylvania Turnpike near Bristol, Pennsylvania. After Interstate 95 is rerouted, Interstate 295 (or possibly Interstate 195) will be extended over what is currently Interstate 95 into Pennsylvania and then south to near Bristol, ending at Interstate 276/Pennsylvania Turnpike. Sounds confusing? Well, that's because it is confusing. At least a sensible solution is in the works to clarify the numbering situation. Photo taken by AARoads (08/30/05).
A collector-distributor system is in place on Interstate 295 northbound at Exits 67A/B of U.S. 1. U.S. 1 offers six lanes of divided roadway between Trenton and New Brunswick as a free alternative to the New Jersey Turnpike. The catch is that many traffic lights also line the federal highway on the 28 mile trek to Interstate 287. Photo taken by AARoads (08/30/05).
Here is an older, button copy version of the Interstate 295 transition to Interstate 95 southbound signage at the U.S. 1 interchange north of the capital city of Trenton. This is not the original terminus of Interstate 295 however, as Exit numbers used to continue two miles westward to the New Jersey 31 interchange. The truncation of Interstate 295 to this interchange occurred in the early 1990s. Vidcap taken by Alex Nitzman (08/93).
Interstate 295 north shifts directly onto Interstate 95 south. The Trenton "beltway" continues westbound to the New Jersey 31 interchange at Ewing, before turning south towards Bristol, Pennsylvania. Photo taken by AARoads (08/30/05).
Perspective from Interstate 95 south
After the U.S. 1 interchange, this Interstate 95 south reassurance shield is posted. After the reroute of Interstate 95, this shield will be replaced with either an Interstate 195 or Interstate 295 marker. Photo taken by AARoads (08/30/05).
Perspective from U.S. 1 north
U.S. 1 northbound at the northern terminus of Interstate 295. Interstate 295 continued west of here to the interchange of New Jersey 31 originally. This alignment was in anticipation of the never completed Interstate 95 link between Trenton and New Brunswick. Truncation occurred to this interchange in 1993, by order of then-Governor Jim Florio.1 Vidcap taken by Alex Nitzman (08/93).
Perspective from Interstate 95 north
The first appearance of the temporary end of Interstate 95 occurs at Exit 4, Junction New Jersey 31. However, the END signage provides a trailblazer to the New jersey Turnpike, which is the northbound continuation of Interstate 95 to New York City. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (06/30/05).
Now traveling due east on northbound Interstate 95 after Exit 4, Junction New Jersey 31/Pennington Road and Exit 5, Federal City Road, the next exit on northbound Interstate 95 is Exit 7, Junction U.S. 206/Lawrenceville Road. The junction with U.S. 1 and Interstate 295 is only two miles east of here at Exit 67. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/20/05).
The first advance sign of the temporary end of northbound Interstate 95 and the beginning of Interstate 295 south is posted shortly after the Federal City Road interchange. To reconnect to Interstate 95 on an all-freeway alignment, follow Interstate 295 south to Interstate 195 east, then turn north on Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike. This signage will be obsolete once Interstate 95 is re-routed onto the Pennsylvania Turnpike near Bristol; once that interchange is complete, existing Interstate 95 from Interstate 276 north to Interstate 295/U.S. 1 will be renumbered as either Interstate 195 or Interstate 295. Back in the days when Interstate 95 was proposed to follow its own alignment from Trenton to New Brunswick via Princeton, the point where the freeway would diverge was located approximately in this area. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/20/05).
The interchange between Interstate 95 north and Exit 7, Junction U.S. 206/Lawrenceville Road is a cloverleaf. The junction with U.S. 1 and Interstate 295 is only two miles east of here at Exit 67. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/20/05).
Northbound Interstate 95 reaches Exits 7A-B, Junction U.S. 206/Lawrenceville Road north to Lawrenceville. The temporary end of Interstate 95 is about a mile and a half east of here, at the junction with U.S. 1 and Interstate 295 (Exit 67). The end of Interstate 95 is signed, but the guide sign for Interstate 295 directs travelers to the continuation of Interstate 95 on the New Jersey Turnpike. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/20/05).
The next exit on Interstate 95 north is Exit 8A, Junction Mercer County Route 546/Franklin Corner Road east to Mercer County Route 583/Princeton Pike south. The final exit is Exit 8B, Junction Mercer County Route 583/Princeton Pike north to Princeton. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (06/30/05).
The final exit is Exit 8B, Junction Mercer County Route 583/Princeton Pike north to Princeton, followed by Exit 67, Junction U.S. 1 north to New Brunswick and south to Trenton. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (06/30/05).
Northbound Interstate 95 approaches Exit 8B, Junction Mercer County Route 583/Princeton Pike north to Princeton, 0.25 mile. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (06/30/05).
After Exit 8B, Junction Mercer County Route 583/Princeton Pike, this roadside sign advises that the continuation of Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike is afforded via Interstate 195 east. This sign is a little deceptive. While it is a distance of eight miles south on Interstate 295 to Interstate 195, there is another seven miles to travel east on Interstate 195 to meet Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike. This means one must travel 15 miles south and east to return to northbound Interstate 95. However, the route is well-signed with To Interstate 95 trailblazers. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (06/30/05).
Interstate 95 north "ends" at this point as Interstate 295 southbound takes over the through traffic lanes. Interstate 295 now takes over the designation of the Trenton "beltway." Signage additionally indicates that Interstate 95 northbound travelers continue on Interstate 295 southbound to Interstate 195 eastbound to the New Jersey Turnpike. Signage along the first five miles of Interstate 195 also reflects Interstate 95 trailblazers. A better approach at this point however, is to take U.S. 1 northbound to New Jersey 18, and entering the New Jersey Turnpike at Exit 9 instead of 7A. Photos taken by Carter Buchanan (06/30/05) and Douglas Kerr (03/15/01).
Perspective from Interstate 295 south
After the U.S. 1 interchange at Exit 67, an Interstate 295 south reassurance shield is posted. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (06/30/05).
About seven miles south of the first reassurance shield is the first overhead for the western terminus of Interstate 195 and southern terminus of New Jersey 29 posted on Interstate 295 southbound just before the Kuser Road exit. NJDOT installed new signs directing motorists from Interstate 95 at Bakersville south along Interstate 295 to Interstate 195 east in 2004. The new signs include Interstate 95 and New Jersey Turnpike trailblazers. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (06/30/05).
