Congregation Beth El in Voorhees Receives Support from the Investors Foundation Grant Program

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ

A $15,000 grant from the Investors Bank’s Foundation is helping Congregation Beth El complete safety and security projects at its Voorhees campus.

Representatives from Investors Bank recently presented a check from the Investors Foundation for $15,000 to Congregation Beth El in Voorhees. Pictured from left, Investors Bank Voorhees branch supervisor Sayantani Bhattacharya, Investors Bank assistant vice president and Voorhees branch manager Barry Epps, Congregation Beth El Executive Director Josh Laster, Investors Bank’s senior vice president business lending Christopher P. Warren, Senior Rabbi Aaron Krupnick, Associate Rabbi Andy Green, Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro, and Congregation Beth El Board President Karen Schlessel.

Congregation Beth El applied for the grant from the Investors Bank Foundation, which supports non-profit organizations that enrich the diverse communities served by Investors Bank.

Congregation Beth El has a rich history in southern New Jersey, beginning with its organization in the Parkside section of Camden in late 1920. The congregation grew significantly over the next 50 years, requiring a move to a larger facility in the late 1960s, and then onto the current location in Voorhees in 2009.

Congregation Beth El is an egalitarian Conservative Synagogue of more than 800 families and is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

It

seeks to create a unique, shared space where everyone can discover what it means to be human and to be part of a sacred community.

Investors Bank’s Christopher P. Warren, senior vice president business lending; Barry Epps, assistant vice president and Voorhees branch manager; and branch supervisor Sayantani Bhattacharya, presented the check to the leadership of Congregation Beth El.

“We are proud to present Congregation Beth El with this grant in support of its efforts to ensure the safety of its members,” said Warren. “Everyone should feel secure in their ability to participate in worship, education, and the other activities available through Congregation Beth El.”

Congregation Beth El Executive Director Josh Laster said, “We are grateful to Investors Bank Foundation for providing the necessary funds to increase security at Beth El. With their support, we were able to implement new protocols offering additional protection to our education programs.

“I know I speak for the leadership of our congregation when I say that Investors Bank is aptly named,” exclaimed Senior Rabbi Aaron Krupnick. “They are investing in our shared future by helping to make our children, and their parents, safe and comfortable here at our school. Our children are our future, and we are proud to be investing in them together.”

“Investors Bank believes in supporting organizations and activities that strengthen the communities where our customers and employees live and work,” said Epps. “Congregation Beth El plays an important role in our community and we believe we have an obligation to support its efforts.”

About the Investors Foundation

Investors Bank created the Investors Foundation in 2005 to support the communities Investors Bank serves. The Investors Foundation supports initiatives in the arts, youth development, health and human services, education and affordable housing. The Investors Foundation works to improve the lives of its customers and neighbors.

About Investors Bank

Investors Bank, headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey, is a full-service community bank that has been serving customers since 1926. With nearly $27 billion in assets and a network of more than 145 retail branches, Investors Bank delivers personalized services and products tailored to the needs of its customers. Investors Bank’s banking services include complete deposit, loan and cash management products for consumers and businesses.

Investors Bank: Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

About Congregation Beth El

Congregation Beth El seeks to create a unique, shared space where members can discover what it means to be human and to be part of a sacred community. Grounded in ex

ploration of Jewish tradition, text, and ritual, Beth El aspires to enrich the lives of its members to celebrate Conservative Judaism at its creative best, and to bring Jews closer to God, Torah and Israel. Congregation Beth El is proud to say it is a community of communities. The congregation is diverse and robust, with many people from many different walks of life. Congregation Beth El welcomes all levels of background and knowledge. For more information, please go to

www.bethelsnj.org.

Lines on the Pines ~ 15th Annual Event ~ \”Owls of the New Jersey Pine Barrens\”

Galloway

, NJ

Lines on the Pines

,

an

INDOOR

event

,

celebrat

ing the New Jersey Pine Barrens returns

, for the third time,

to

the

Stockton University

C

AMPUS

CENTER

,

located

at

101

Vera King Farris Drive

, Galloway, NJ,

08205

.

The

1

5

th

Annual Event

will be held

on Sunday, March 15, 2020

fro

m 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

15 YEARS on the 15th of MARCH!

This

popular

book-

signing

,

history

, arts

, humanities,

craft

show

,

and everything NJ Pine Barrens

is

FREE

and open to the public

. It

is presented by

It’s a Sign of the Pines

,

a 501

(c

) (3)

NJ non-profit corporation dedicated to sharing the wonders of our

Pine Barrens.

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

began as a conversation among friends sitting in a Piney bar: how could we bring like-minded people together to celebrate and maintain the cultural richness of the New Jersey Pine Barrens?

Fifteen

years ago our first weekend gathering, entitled

Lines on the Pines

, brought together

a few authors, an

archaeologist and a photographer

whose work reflected or was influenced by the Pines. The annual event has become a much anticipated networking opportunity for presenters and for local community members who attend by the hundreds to talk with authors about the newest Pine Barren\’s themed book,

and now

to look over hand-made jewelry made from nineteenth-century Jersey glass slag, or just chat about the Pines.

Nine

years ago

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

began a second event,

Lines on the Pines for KIDS

Goes to College

! During a one-day event, Pinelands-themed classes

were

offered to children aged 6-12 in Stockton\’s Kramer Hall in Hammonton, NJ. Both events reflect

ed

the core mission of

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

: to celebrate the

authors,

history,

and the

arts and humanities of the NJ Pine Barrens.

Now

,

the

two

events are combined

into

one

big event

.

Lines on the Pines

20

20

is proud to offer

once again

The PB&J\’

s

or

The Pine Barrens and Juniors

program

. This is a unique opportunity for KIDS to learn about the NJ Pine

Barrens and earn a patch at this

annual event.  Mi

ke

McCormick, of South Jersey Trails, has developed a booklet for Junior Explorers detailing the mission and the pledge of the

PB&J Program

.

T

his year the theme for KIDS is \”

Owls of the

New Jersey

Pine Barrens

\”

which

encourages

KIDS

of all ages,

to learn about

owls

.

Shannon Askins, a

local

graphite artist

has

put together a stunning

collection of original drawings of

NJ

owls

in a

book,

\”Owls of the New Jersey P

ine Barrens

.

\”

This book

will be available for folks to purchase. During the day, KIDS will have different activities that will enable them to learn more about

owls and other

live animals, snakes, birds of prey,

in the Pine Barrens

as well as meet our mascots, the crisis response dogs.

In addition, some fun activities will include basket weaving,

face painting

,

use

of the giant Word Board to create words relatin

g directly to the Pine Barrens and making pine cone owls.

Our sponsors, AtlantiCare

– A member of Geisinger,

Stockton University School of Arts and Humanities and the South Jersey Culture & History Center, ACUA,

Plexus Publishing,

NJM Insurance Group

and others

offer support in

making the

event a huge success.

This year

,

we welcome

back,

Paul Evans Pedersen, Nicki Giberson,

Kathy English

, Rich, Mary & Steven Carty

, Josh Westcott, Nance Jo Luciani

, Heather Hires, Holly Doyle,

Kirk Jarvis

an

d over 8

0 more artists, authors, historians

, historical socie

ties and groups.

Dinner

following the daylong event

h

ighlights

speaker Linda Stanton, Founder and President of

It\’s a Sign of the Pine

s

, who

will

present

\”

A

2020 Vision Lead

s

to a Wise Decision.

\”

The presentation will include the development of this 15 year-old program, its accomplishments and history. On hand, will also be several

\”Pine Barrens Celebrities\”

who will speak briefly on what

Line

s

on the Pines

means to them.

For more information:

Website

www.linesonthepines.org

and Facebook,

Lines on the Pines

.

##

on the Pines

~ 1

5

t

h

Annual Event

~

\”

Owls of the New Jersey Pine Barrens

\”

Galloway

, NJ

Lines on the Pines

,

an

INDOOR

event

,

celebrat

ing the New Jersey Pine Barrens returns

, for the third time,

to

the

Stockton University

C

AMPUS CENTER

,

located

at

101

Vera King Farris Drive

, Galloway, NJ,

08205

.

The

1

5

th

Annual Event

will be held

on Sunday, March 15, 2020

fro

m 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

15 YEARS on the 15th of MARCH!

This

popular

book-

signing

,

history

, arts

, humanities,

craft

show

,

and everything NJ Pine Barrens

is

FREE

and open to the public

. It

is presented by

It’s a Sign of the Pines

,

a 501

(c

) (3)

NJ non-profit corporation dedicated to sharing the wonders of our

Pine Barrens.

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

began as a conversation among friends sitting in a Piney bar: how could we bring like-minded people together to celebrate and maintain the cultural richness of the New Jersey Pine Barrens?

Fifteen

years ago our first weekend gathering, entitled

Lines on the Pines

, brought together

a few authors, an

archaeologist and a photographer

whose work reflected or was influenced by the Pines. The annual event has become a much anticipated networking opportunity for presenters and for local community members who attend by the hundreds to talk with authors about the newest Pine Barren\’s themed book,

and now

to look over hand-made jewelry made from nineteenth-century Jersey glass slag, or just chat about the Pines.

Nine

years ago

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

began a second event,

Lines on the Pines for KIDS

Goes to College

! During a one-day event, Pinelands-themed classes

were

offered to children aged 6-12 in Stockton\’s Kramer Hall in Hammonton, NJ. Both events reflect

ed

the core mission of

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

: to celebrate the

authors,

history,

and the

arts and humanities of the NJ Pine Barrens.

Now

,

the

two

events are combined

into

one

big event

.

Lines on the Pines

20

20

is proud to offer

once again

The PB&J\’

s

or

The Pine Barrens and Juniors

program

. This is a unique opportunity for KIDS to learn about the NJ Pine

Barrens and earn a patch at this

annual event.  Mi

ke

McCormick, of South Jersey Trails, has developed a booklet for Junior Explorers detailing the mission and the pledge of the

PB&J Program

.

T

his year the theme for KIDS is \”

Owls of the

New Jersey

Pine Barrens

\”

which

encourages

KIDS

of all ages,

to learn about

owls

.

Shannon Askins, a

local

graphite artist

has

put together a stunning

collection of original drawings of

NJ

owls

in a

book,

\”Owls of the New Jersey P

ine Barrens

.

\”

This book

will be available for folks to purchase. During the day, KIDS will have different activities that will enable them to learn more about

owls and other

live animals, snakes, birds of prey,

in the Pine Barrens

as well as meet our mascots, the crisis response dogs.

In addition, some fun activities will include basket weaving,

face painting

,

use

of the giant Word Board to create words relatin

g directly to the Pine Barrens and making pine cone owls.

Our sponsors, AtlantiCare

– A member of Geisinger,

Stockton University School of Arts and Humanities and the South Jersey Culture & History Center, ACUA,

Plexus Publishing,

NJM Insurance Group

and others

offer support in

making the

event a huge success.

This year

,

we welcome

back,

Paul Evans Pedersen, Nicki Giberson,

Kathy English

, Rich, Mary & Steven Carty

, Josh Westcott, Nance Jo Luciani

, Heather Hires, Holly Doyle,

Kirk Jarvis

an

d over 8

0 more artists, authors, historians

, historical socie

ties and groups.

Dinner

following the daylong event

h

ighlights

speaker Linda Stanton, Founder and President of

It\’s a Sign of the Pine

s

, who

will

present

\”

A

2020 Vision Lead

s

to a Wise Decision.

\”

The presentation will include the development of this 15 year-old program, its accomplishments and history. On hand, will also be several

\”Pine Barrens Celebrities\”

who will speak briefly on what

Line

s

on the Pines

means to them.

For more information:

Website

www.linesonthepines.org

and Facebook,

Lines on the Pines

.

##

Ancora Psychiatric Patient Charged with Escaping

Camden City, N.J. – A Camden City man has been charged after running away from Ancora Psychiatric Hospital staff Feb. 18, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Berlin Township Police Chief Leonard

Check.

Marvin Smith, 41, is charged with Third Degree Escape from Parole, Fourth Degree Contempt of Court, Third Degree Burglary and Disorderly Persons Theft.

Smith was being taken back to Ancora after receiving treatment at an area hospital for a minor injury around 10:30 p.m. When the car Smith was in stopped at a red light at the intersection of Rt. 73 and Cross Keys Road, hospital workers said he took off running.

Officers from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Berlin Township Police Department, N.J. Transit Police and Camden County Office of Emergency Management all responded to search for Smith. The Voorhees Township Police Department, Cape May County Sheriff’s Department and N.J. State Department of Corrections responded with K-9 units to track Smith’s scent. The Human Service Police also deployed a drone.

Detectives said they received multiple tips on Smith’s location around 7 a.m. Feb. 19 after a reverse 911 call was made. When officers responded to Franklin Ave. in Berlin Township, Smith was riding a bike and was taken into custody.

Throughout the investigation, detectives learned Smith broke into a resident’s shed before sleeping in another resident’s car. Police said he then went back to the shed and stole the bike he was later caught on.

Smith is in the Camden County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.

All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

I\’m Pelosi\’s #1 target

Since day one when I was first elected, I opposed Nancy Pelosi. Her radical liberal views were not what we support here in South Jersey and that\’s why I chose not to vote for her as Speaker!

From everything I have witnessed from Pelosi and her leadership team since being sworn in, I know her only focus is maintaining political power. We need leaders in Washington who are going to put their districts and the American people first — not themselves!

That\’s why I\’m supporting President Trump and his America First Agenda!

We need leaders like President Trump in Washington who care about doing the right thing for the people of their district and not about just playing partisan games.

I\’m Pelosi\’s #1 target. I need your help to win this critical South Jersey district now that Pelosi and the South Jersey Democrats are focusing all their attention to defeating me in November.

We simply cannot afford to let this district fall into the hands of a far left Pelosi puppet.

Can I count on you to help me by chipping in $15, $25, $45, or another amount today?

YES! I will chip in $45 to prevent Pelosi from taking over>>>

YES! I will chip in $25 to prevent Pelosi from taking over>>>

YES! I will chip in $15 to prevent Pelosi from taking over>>>

YES! I will chip in another amount to prevent Pelosi from taking over>>>

Anything you can afford to contribute will go a long way in ensuring South Jersey stays out of the hands of far left socialists.

Thank you,

Jeff Van Drew

DONATE!

Paid for by Van Drew for Congress.

Mayor George W. Shivery, Jr. Endorses Mehta For Senate

Shivery: “One thing is clear, Mr. Mehta is conservative.”

GIBBSTOWN – Saying, “I couldn’t sit back and watch my fellow Republicans attack a candidate because they are unhappy their pick for US Senate hasn’t won any county lines,” Greenwich Township Mayor George W. Shivery, Jr. weighed in on the Senate race today.

“I’ve met all the candidates who are still in the Senate race at least once at various events, early on I even took one of the candidates to meet a fellow regional vice president of the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs,” George Shivery said. “It’s time for these candidates to reel in their supporters and have them stop the online name calling.”

“It’s going to be tough enough for the eventual winner of the primary to beat Cory Booker and the name calling is not going to help.” Shivery added, “As a conservative Republican who has managed to win six consecutive elections in a town where the Democrats have a 5 to 1 voter registration advantage I think I know what I’m talking about. The name calling has got to stop!”

Shivery continued, “I was seated with Rik Mehta and his wife at a fundraiser and have spent time with him at other events. One thing is clear, Mr. Mehta is conservative. He is pro-life, opposes sanctuary cities, supports securing our southern border and believes in our right to bear arms.”

“Having met the candidates, heard their speeches and visited with the candidates, some more than others, I have no doubt Rik Mehta is the best candidate in the race.” Shivery said, “I’m proud to offer my personal endorsement of Rik Mehta for Senate and am hopeful Gloucester County’s screening committee sees in Rik the same qualities I see.

ICE, and Law Enforcement Agencies Address Dangers of New York\’s Green Light Law

WASHINGTON (February 21, 2020)– – The acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director and federal, state and local law enforcement officials hosted a news conference today to address how the Green Light Law in the state of New York impacts public safety. Hosted at the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office in Troy, New York, 17 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies gathered to implore the State of New York to consider the ramifications of the Green Light Law.

“By restricting access to all DMV information, the Green Light Law stands as a dangerous roadblock to ongoing federal investigations into a broad range of criminal activity,” said Acting ICE Director Matthew T. Albence. “Information sharing is the lifeblood of law enforcement. The inability to access this information puts our sworn federal agents and officers, and the communities we serve, unnecessarily at risk.”

ICE is not asking the State of New York to provide a list of illegal aliens, or to identify which individuals in its databases are here illegally, Albence explained at the press conference. ICE needs access to the information – just like all other law enforcement agencies that work in the state – to support investigative efforts, not only in New York, but also across the country and around the world, he said. ICE’s ability to identify and dismantle a transnational criminal organization often depends on getting the right piece of information into the right hands at the right time.

The National Sheriffs Association, New York State Sheriffs Association, New York State Police Chiefs, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, New York City Sergeants Benevolent Association, Rensselaer County Executive, Rensselaer County Sheriff, Rensselaer County Clerk, Washington County Sheriff, Saratoga County Sheriff, Albany County Legislator, Saratoga County Clerk, New York Fraternal Order of Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) New York, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, the Erie County Clerk, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection participated.

Colorado/Las Vegas Drug Dealers Sentenced For Trafficking Heroin Seized in Secaucus Hotel

TRENTON

– Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that a Colorado man was sentenced to prison today after being convicted at trial of trafficking 31 kilograms of heroin seized from his hotel

room in Secaucus by the New Jersey State Police and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Anthony R. Koon, 58, of Pueblo, Colo., was sentenced today to 10 years in state prison, including over three years of parole ineligibility, by Superior Court Judge Patrick J. Arre in Hudson County. Koon was found guilty on June 25, 2019, by a Hudson County jury of charges of first-degree possession of heroin with intent to distribute, second-degree conspiracy, and third-degree possession of heroin. Koon’s state sentence will be consecutive to a nine-year federal prison sentence Koon is currently serving as the result of a drug conviction in U.S. District Court in Illinois.

Koon’s co-defendant, Alan A. Alderman, 74, of Las Vegas, Nev., was sentenced on Dec. 13, 2019 to five years in state prison by Judge Arre. Alderman was tried with Koon in June, but the jury in that trial was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on Alderman. Alderman was retried and was found guilty on Oct. 10, 2019 of second-degree conspiracy to distribute heroin and third-degree possession of heroin.

Deputy Attorneys General Omari Reid and Heather Hausleben tried Koon for the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau. DAG Reid and Deputy Attorney General Amy Sieminski tried Alderman in October. DAG Reid handled the sentencing hearing today for Koon. The trial teams were assisted by Deputy Attorney General Sarah Brigham of the DCJ Appellate Bureau. The men were indicted in an investigation by the New Jersey State Police Violent & Organized Crime Control Bureau Trafficking North Unit and DEA’s New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, Group T-42. The New York Drug Enforcement Task Force comprises agents and officers of the DEA, New York City Police Department, and the New York State Police.

“The 31 kilograms of heroin seized in this case represent tens of thousands of doses of heroin that would have fueled addiction, misery and death if the DEA Task Force and New Jersey State Police had not interceded,” said Attorney General Grewal. “I commend the prosecutors in our Division of Criminal Justice who secured these verdicts and prison sentences, as well as all of the members of law enforcement who investigated. We are fighting the opioid epidemic on all fronts in New Jersey, expanding prevention and treatment strategies while aggressively prosecuting criminals like Koon and Alderman who traffic opioids into our communities.”

“We will continue to work with the New Jersey State Police, DEA, and our other law enforcement partners to target the major suppliers of opioids who are ruthlessly profiting from addiction in New Jersey,” said Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Interstate drug trafficking demands an interstate response, and this collaborative, multi-jurisdictional investigation is a great example of how we target this type of criminal organization.”

“The fact that troopers and detectives were able to prevent such a massive quantity of heroin from hitting the streets is a victory in and of itself, because somewhere among the thousands of doses seized was one that would claim a life or send another spiraling out of control, consumed by addiction,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan of the New Jersey State Police.  “We are committed to combating the opioid epidemic through collaborative investigations and by continuing to focus our efforts on prevention through education.”

“Drug trafficking investigations have uncovered numerous means and methods used by criminal organizations to transport illicit drugs into our communities and homes,” said Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan of the DEA New York Division. “This sentencing is the final step in bringing to justice two traffickers responsible for delivering 31kilograms of heroin into our backyard.  I applaud our partners in the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General for their dogged efforts in this investigation.”

New York State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett said, “As a result of interagency coordination and commitment among our law enforcement partners, two dangerous drug traffickers have been brought to justice. Heroin and other drugs perpetuate a cycle of addiction and criminal behavior which in turn threatens the safety and security of our neighborhoods. I want to thank our members and law enforcement partners for their tenacious dedication to tracking illegal drugs and intercepting them at their source before they can be distributed on our streets.”

The defendants were arrested on Feb. 1, 2016, after NYDETF Group T-42 developed information that a gold-colored Mercedes Benz linked to a large-scale narcotics trafficking organization had traveled from New York to a hotel in Secaucus, N.J. NYDETF Group T-42 enlisted the New Jersey State Police Trafficking North Unit to assist them in the investigation. The joint investigation revealed that several members of the narcotics network had traveled to Secaucus that day to meet and exchange heroin.

Initially, two men were stopped in a minivan after they left the parking lot of the hotel, where they were seen meeting with the occupant or occupants of the gold Mercedes. Those men, Oscar R. Felix, 42, of Menifee, Calif., and John M. Ulloa, 38, of Bronx, N.Y., were linked through further investigation to Alderman, who was determined to be staying at the hotel. Alderman and Koon, who was staying with Alderman, were arrested inside the hotel, where investigators discovered two gym bags secured with locks in a closet of their hotel room. Investigators executed a search warrant for the hotel room the following day and discovered 31 kilograms of heroin in the gym bags. They also found $14,300 in U.S. currency wrapped in black electrical tape when they executed a search warrant for Koon’s Jeep.

Felix and Ulloa pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy to distribute heroin and each man was sentenced on Dec. 11, 2017 to six years in state prison.

Defense Attorneys:

For Koon

: Michael R. Shulman, Esq., Jersey City, N.J.

For Alderman:

Assistant Deputy Public Defender Andre Vitale, Hudson County.

Route 42 northbound lane closures required as Bridges over Timber Creek project advances

(Trenton)

– New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced overnight lane closures on Route 42 northbound as the Bridges over Timber Creek and Lower Landing Road project advances in Gloucester, Camden County and Deptford, Gloucester County.

Beginning at 10:30 p.m., tonight, Friday, February 21, NJDOT’s contractor, Richard E. Pierson Construction Company, is scheduled to close the left and center lanes on Route 42 northbound in the vicinity of the bridges and shift traffic into the right lane to install construction barrier to prepare for a traffic shift.  One lane of northbound traffic will be maintained.

By 5:30 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, February 22, all three lanes on Route 42 northbound will reopen.  The left lane of Route 42 northbound will cross into the median and return to the mainline beyond the staged work area.  This configuration will remain in place until summer 2020.

The $9.6 million federally-funded project, which began in September 2017, will demolish and replace the two bridge deck spans on the Route 42 Bridges over Timber Creek and Lower Landing Road and make repairs to the piers and abutments.  The project has been designed in stages with the bridge deck replaced one side at a time to reduce the impact to motorists.  Work is anticipated to be complete in fall 2020.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors.  Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website

www.511nj.org

for construction updates and real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter

@NJDOT_info

or on the

NJDOT Facebook page

.

I-295 southbound/Al-Jo’s Curve to Route 42 southbound/ Closed Tonight and Saturday

Signed detour will be in place overnight

(Trenton)

– New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced an overnight closure of the I-295 southbound ramp to Route 42 southbound and I-295 southbound as the Direct Connection project advances in Bellmawr, Camden County.

Beginning at 10 p.m. tonight, Friday, February 21, until 8 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, February 22, NJDOT’s contractor, South State, Inc., will close the I-295 southbound ramp to Route 42 southbound and I-295 southbound, also known as Al-Jo’s Curve, to replace damaged construction barrier.  All motorists traveling on I-295 southbound will be directed to stay left onto Exit 26. The following detour will be in place overnight:

I-295 southbound to Route 42 southbound/I-295 southbound detour:

Motorists traveling on I-295 southbound to Route 42 southbound will be directed to exit left at Exit 26/I-76 westbound

Take I-76 westbound to Exit 2/I-676 northbound

Take I-676 northbound to Exit 1/Collings Avenue

Turn right onto Collings Avenue

Turn left onto I-676 southbound which becomes I-76 eastbound

Take I-76 eastbound to Exit 1A/I-295 southbound

The work is part of the $900 million Direct Connection project that will provide a seamless route for I-295 motorists traveling through the interchange of I-295, I-76, and Route 42. The Direct Connection project has been divided into four separate construction contracts, with completion of the fourth and final contract expected in the fall of 2024. NJDOT\’s project website provides

construction activity schedules and updates

.

Portable variable message signs are being utilized to provide advance notification to the public of all traffic pattern changes associated with the work. The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors.  Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website

www.511nj.org

for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter

@NJDOT_info

.