Cherry Hill commuters who use I-295 to reach Route 73 will need to find another route now that both exit ramps are closed for approximately one month.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that PSE&G will close I-295 southbound Exit 36A to Route 73 southbound and I-295 northbound Exit 36B to Route 73 northbound for priority gas main repairs in Mount Laurel, Burlington County.

Both detours run directly through Cherry Hill.

Southbound detour (Exit 36A)

Drivers heading south on I-295 who normally take Exit 36A to Route 73 southbound will instead continue on I-295 southbound to Exit 34B/Route 70 westbound, follow Route 70 west, turn right onto Route 41/Kings Highway northbound, then stay right for Old Kings Highway back to Route 73 southbound.

Northbound detour (Exit 36B)

Drivers heading north on I-295 who normally take Exit 36B to Route 73 northbound will instead continue on I-295 northbound to Exit 40B/Route 38 westbound, follow Route 38 west, then stay right to take the ramp onto Route 73 northbound.

Lane closures on Route 73 bridge

In addition to the ramp closures, NJDOT said the left lane on Route 73 in both directions over the I-295 bridge would close overnight Wednesday, July 29, at 8 p.m. through Thursday, July 30, at 6 a.m., and again Thursday, July 30, at 8 p.m. through Friday, July 31, at 6 a.m. One lane will remain open in each direction during those overnight windows.

By 6 a.m. Friday, July 31, the left lane on Route 73 in both directions will stay closed permanently, with traffic shifted right to create a center work zone. Two lanes will remain open in each direction. That configuration is expected to last approximately one month.

Additional construction in Cherry Hill

The ramp closures add to an already congested summer for Cherry Hill drivers. As we reported July 22, Mayor David Fleisher was in active talks with NJDOT, Camden County and NJ American Water about reducing the impact of multiple simultaneous road projects, and Cherry Hill Police have been deployed to help manage traffic flow.

Camden County Commissioner Al Dyer, liaison to the Department of Public Works, offered general guidance to drivers navigating the region's multiple concurrent construction zones in the county's weekly roadwork advisory on Monday, July 27: "Motorists should plan ahead to take alternate routes and give themselves plenty of time to get to their destinations."

NJDOT said timing is subject to change due to weather or other factors. No specific end date has been confirmed.

Motorists can check 511nj.org for real-time updates or contact PSE&G at 1-800-436-7734 for project information.