I-95 Gap Signage: The I-95 Gap Eastern Bypass

The I-95 Gap Eastern Bypass breaks from the Delaware Turnpike (I-95) at the Ocean Highway (I-295) split in New Castle, Delaware, far south of the actual gap, and then follows the Ocean Highway (I-295), the Delaware Memorial Bridge (I-295) and the New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700) to rejoin with the I-95 Eastern Route at New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700) Exit 6. I-95 thru traffic (traffic heading towards New York City and points north or towards Baltimore and points south) already uses it as the way to 'jump the gap', and some travellers do not even realize that they have left I-95. To see the route itself in more detail, visit the New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700) and Delaware Memorial Bridge Approach (I-295) pages. No pages on the Ocean Highway (I-295) or the Delaware Turnpike (I-95) are available at this site.

I-95 Gap Eastern Bypass Northbound

I-95 Gap Eastern Bypass Southbound

This signage is on the Delaware Turnpike (I-95) northbound at Exit 3(DE 273, Dover, Newark) in New Castle, Delaware. This is the last "North I-95" shield assembly before the I-95 Gap Eastern Bypass leaves the official I-95. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) southbound at Exit 10(I-287, NJ 440, Perth Amboy, Metuchen, Edison Township, Outerbridge Crossing) in Edison Township, New Jersey. Starting in the mid-1960's, I-95 'ended' here. While I-95 was officially designated along at least part of the Middlesex Freeway (I-287) until 1985, no signage indicating this was posted due to the unbuilt Somerset Freeway section. After 1985, the New Jersey Turnpike was officially redesignated as I-95 south to the New Jersey Turnpike Pennsylvania Extension, which also was designated as I-95 straight to the state line. However, neither the New Jersey Department of Transportation nor the New Jersey Turnpike Authority posted any indication of this until 1997, when new shields like the one on the lower left gantry support were posted between Exit 10 and Exit 6. Thus, until 1997 this was the end of I-95 as far as was publically known. Photo taken January 10, 2002.

This signage is on the Delaware Turnpike (I-95) northbound north of Exit 4(South DE 1, DE 7, Christiana Mall Road, Churchman's Crossing, Stanton) in New Castle, Delaware. This is the first signage for the impending split in the roadway between Wilmington Expressway (I-95) traffic heading to Philadelphia and New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700) traffic heading to New York City. Note that the new version of the New Jersey Turnpike trailblazer was used on signage here. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) southbound at Exit 10(I-287, NJ 440, Perth Amboy, Metuchen, Edison Township, Outerbridge Crossing) in Edison Township, New Jersey. This is a close-up of the I-95 shield on the lower left gantry support in the above photo. Of the new I-95 shields, this is the only one with any directional banner. Note the unusual font for the numbers, used only for the I-95 shields that were posted in 1997. Photo taken January 10, 2002.

This signage is at the end of the Delaware Turnpike (I-95) northbound in New Castle, Delaware. Here, the I-95 Gap Eastern Bypass splits to the right following Ocean Highway (I-295), while I-95 proper (as both the Eastern Route and the Western Route) continues north to the left as the Wilmington Expressway. Note that Ocean Highway (I-295) is also signed as "New Jersey / New York" in a strong attempt to draw long-distance travellers away from the incomplete I-95. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) southbound at Exit 9(NJ 18, US 1, New Brunswick, East Brunswick, Shore Resorts, Rutgers University) in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The I-95 Gap Western Bypass leaves I-95 here and follows the Old Bridge-New Brunswick Turnpike (NJ 18) to the New Brunswick-Metuchen Bypass (US 1). Photo taken January 10, 2002.

This signage is on the Ocean Highway (I-295) northbound at Exit 1(US 13, US 40, New Castle Airport, Dover, Wilmington) in New Castle, Delaware. Note that here an older version of the New Jersey Turnpike trailblazer is used. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) southbound south of Exit 9(NJ 18, US 1, New Brunswick, East Brunswick, Shore Resorts, Rutgers University) in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey. This is the last I-95 shield posted on I-95 southbound. Strangely, while the new I-95 shields posted in 1997 were posted all the way from Exit 6 to Exit 10 on the northbound side, the southbound side was only posted from Exit 10 to just south of Exit 9. Note that this sign sports the 1997 font used for I-95 shields on the turnpike. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the Ocean Highway (I-295) northbound at Exit 3(DE 9, New Castle, Wilmington) in New Castle, Delaware. Note that here the newer version of the New Jersey Turnpike trailblazer is used again. This is the only sign where "Delaware Memorial Bridge" and "New Jersey - New York" is actually written out instead of abbreviated. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) southbound at Exit 7A(I-195, Trenton, Hamilton, Shore Points) in Washington Township, New Jersey. The I-95 Western Route exits here and follows the Central Jersey Expressway (I-195). Note that no indication is made that a connection to I-95 southbound is available via this exit. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the Delaware Memorial Bridge Approach (I-295) northbound just south of Exit 1(East NJ 49, New Jersey Turnpike, East US 40, North US 130, Hook Road, Pennsville, Salem, New York, Atlantic City, Penns Grove) in Pennsville Township, New Jersey. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) southbound just north of Exit 6(US 130, I-276, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Florence) in Mansfield Township, New Jersey. This sign's purpose is to draw I-95 long-range travellers towards the southern section of the New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700). Though not necessary yet, this sign will be much more important after the I-95/I-276 Interchange Project is completed and I-95 is prominently signed as exiting at Exit 6. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the Delaware Memorial Bridge Approach (I-295) northbound at Exit 1(East NJ 49, New Jersey Turnpike, East US 40, North US 130, Hook Road, Pennsville, Salem, New York, Atlantic City, Penns Grove) in Pennsville Township, New Jersey. Here, the I-95 Gap Eastern Bypass follows the New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700) towards the left, while I-295 continues north towards the right as the Camden Freeway. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) southbound at Exit 6(US 130, I-276, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Florence) in Mansfield Township, New Jersey. I-95, as the I-95 Eastern Route, exits here to the right following the New Jersey Turnpike Pennsylvania Extension (I-95) to Pennsylvania. The I-95 Gap Eastern Bypass continues south to the left along the southern section of the New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700). These signs have stood since the New Jersey Turnpike Pennsylvania Extension (I-95) opened as NJ 700P in 1956. They may finally be replaced when the I-95/I-276 Interchange Project in Pennsylvania is completed, which would necessitate the posting of "I-95 SOUTH" on the right sign here. Until then, I-95 through traffic will continue to follow the New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700) south without much realization that they have left I-95. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700) northbound south of Exit 1(East US 40, Atlantic City) in Pennsville Township, New Jersey. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700) northbound just south of Exit 1(East US 40, Atlantic City) in Carney's Point Township, New Jersey. This signage was installed by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, despite the New Jersey Turnpike Authority's jurisdiction of this section. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700) southbound south of Exit 6(US 130, I-276, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Florence) in Mansfield Township, New Jersey. This sign is the first "To I-95" assembly along the New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700) south of Exit 6, and is thus the first indication to the traveller that they have left I-95. These signs are posted along the New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700) between Exit 1 and Exit 6 in both directions. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700) northbound just north of Exit 1(East US 40, Atlantic City) in Carney's Point Township, New Jersey. Assemblies such as this one are posted on the entire New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700) between Exit 1 and Exit 6 to show its role in jumping the gap. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700) southbound north of Exit 1(Penns Grove, Deepwater) in Carney's Point Township, New Jersey. Note the unusual use of the Delaware Turnpike trailblazer. It had been rare for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to sign any other road trailblazers from New Jersey until recently, let alone trailblazers from out-of-state roads. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) northbound south of Exit 7(US 206, Bordentown, Trenton, McGuire Air Force Base, Fort Dix) in Mansfield Township, New Jersey. This is the first I-95 shield posted on the I-95 Eastern Route northbound in New Jersey, as well as the first I-95 shield posted along the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) after the I-95 Gap Eastern Bypass rejoins I-95 via the southern section of the New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700). Note the strange font used for the numerals; all such signs were installed in 1997 when the New Jersey Turnpike signed I-95 along the mainline from Exit 10 to Exit 6. Photo taken December 30, 2001.

This signage is on the Delaware Memorial Bridge Approach (I-295) southbound just north of Exit 1(East NJ 49, Pennsville, Salem) in Pennsville Township, New Jersey. The end of the New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700) merges with the end of the Camden Freeway (I-295) here to form the Delaware Memorial Bridge Approach (I-295) just before the last interchange. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) northbound north of Exit 7A(I-195, Trenton, Hamilton, Shore Points) in Washington Township, New Jersey. It is the first I-95 shield posted on the combined (Eastern and Western Routes) I-95 northbound in New Jersey. The I-95 Western Route joins the I-95 Eastern Route from the Central Jersey Expressway (I-195) at Exit 7A. Note that this shield is also of the unusual 1997 font series. Photo taken December 30, 2001.

This signage is on the Ocean Highway (I-295) southbound at Exit 3(DE 9, New Castle) in New Castle, Delaware. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) northbound north of Exit 9(NJ 18, US 1, New Brunswick, East Brunswick, Rutgers University) in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It is the first I-95 shield posted on I-95 after the I-95 Gap Western Bypass joins I-95 at Exit 9. Again note it is of the unusual 1997 font style. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the Ocean Highway (I-295) southbound just north of the Wilmington Expressway (I-95) / Wilmington Bypass (I-495) junction in New Castle, Delaware. Note the reappearance of the Delaware Turnpike trailblazer on the left sign. The I-95 Gap Eastern Bypass follows the left ramp to rejoin I-95 south. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) northbound just north of Exit 10(I-287, NJ 440, Perth Amboy, Metuchen, Edison Township, Outerbridge Crossing) in Edison Township, New Jersey. Starting in the mid-1960's, the I-95 gap began at Exit 10. This was because I-95 was never posted (although it was designated) along the Middlesex Freeway (I-287), and I-95 had not yet been extended south along the turnpike. Although official records indicate that I-95 was redesignated along the New Jersey Turnpike and New Jersey Turnpike Pennsylvania Extension in 1985, no indication of this redesignation appeared until 1997, further perpetuating the "I-95 ends at Exit 10" story. Because of this, until 1997 this I-95 shield represented 'the end of the gap'. Note that this shield is of a different numerical font than the previous shields, owing to its greater age. Photo taken January 10, 2002.

This signage is on the Ocean Highway (I-295) southbound at the Wilmington Expressway (I-95) / Wilmington Bypass (I-495) junction in New Castle, Delaware. Again note the reappearance of the Delaware Turnpike trailblazer on the left sign. The I-95 Gap Eastern Bypass follows the left ramp to rejoin I-95 south. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is at the end of the Ocean Highway (I-295) southbound in New Castle, Delaware. The I-95 Gap Eastern Bypass follows the right ramp to rejoin I-95 south. This is one of the rare signs where "Del. Tpke." is written out in any way. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is at the beginning of the Delaware Turnpike (I-95) southbound in New Castle, Delaware. Note that the text "Del. Tpke." and the Delaware Turnpike shield have both disappeared from signage. Photo taken January 15, 2002.

This signage is on the Delaware Turnpike (I-95) southbound just north of Exit 3(DE 273, Newark, Dover) in New Castle, Delaware. This is the first I-95 shield assembly after the I-95 Gap Eastern Bypass rejoins I-95 from Ocean Highway (I-295). Photo taken January 15, 2002.

Maps
Map 1: I-95 Corridor Shifts, 1954 - 1982
Map 2: Adopted Route, 1964
Map 3: Re-extended Route, 1968
Map 4: Connectors Added, 1976
Map 5: All Considered Alignments, 1979
Map 6: Preferred Alternative Schematics and Exit List, 1979
Map 7: Exit Number Changes, 1984 - 1996
Map 8: I-95 Gap Corridor Today
Map 9: The Future I-95/I-276 Interchange

Photos
The I-95 Gap Eastern Bypass
The I-95 Eastern Route
The I-95 Western Route
The I-95 Gap Western Bypass

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