South Jersey road projects for U.S. stimulus aid

The long-awaited "direct connection" of I-295 with Route 42 and I-76 near Bellmawr is one of the major South Jersey highway projects slated to benefit from the federal economic stimulus package.

Others include improving drainage of the frequently flooded Admiral Wilson Boulevard (Route 30) in Camden and Pennsauken; repaving of I-295 in West Deptford, Haddon Heights and Cherry Hill; median crash-barrier construction on Route 18 in Burlington County; the redecking of a Main Street bridge over Route 206 in Mansfield, and the resurfacing of I-295 between Rancocas-Mount Holly Road and Route 130.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation has prepared a list of $1.3 billion in highway projects that can be started quickly to qualify for money from the $789 billion federal stimulus program.

State officials remain uncertain exactly how much money New Jersey will receive from federal officials and which programs can be funded. Following are the projects on the list released yesterday by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Camden County

I-295 connection: Preliminary design phase, $16 million.

I-295 connection: Right-of-way phase, $7 million.

Route 30 drainage: Construction phase, $13 million.

Camden/Gloucester Counties

I-295 repavement: Construction phrase, $84 million.

Burlington County

I-95/Route 18 median: Construction phase, $4 million.

County Route 543 decking: Construction phase, $2 million.

Fox Meadow and Fellowship Roads: Construction phase, $21 million.

I-295 repavement: Construction phase, $120 million.

Burlington/Camden/

Gloucester/Mercer Counties

I-295/676 bridge painting: Construction phase, $6 million.