New Jersey Turnpike 78128 224880813 2008-07-10T20:41:30Z 206.195.19.41 fixed atrocious photo scattering {{dablink|This article is about the modern [[freeway]]. For the 19th century [[turnpike]], see [[Jersey Turnpike]].}} {{Infobox road |marker_image=[[Image:New Jersey Turnpike Shield.svg|70px]] |state=NJ |type=NJ |route=700 |highway_name=New Jersey Turnpike |maint=the New Jersey Turnpike Authority |length_mi=122.40 |length_round=2 |length_ref=<ref name="sld 0">{{cite web|url=http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000700 __-.pdf|title=Route 700 Straight Line Diagram|accessdate=2007-04-26|format=PDF|publisher=[[New Jersey Department of Transportation|NJDOT]]}}</ref><ref name="sld 1" /><!--equation is 76.78+52.17-6.55=122.4--> |length_notes={{convert|11.03|mi|km|2|abbr=on|}} Western Spur<ref name="sld 2">{{cite web|url=http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000095W__-.pdf|title=Route 95W Straight Line Diagram|accessdate=2007-04-26|format=PDF|publisher=[[New Jersey Department of Transportation|NJDOT]]}}</ref><br>{{convert|6.55|mi|km|2|abbr=on}} Pennsylvania Extension<ref name="sld 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000095 __-.pdf|title=Route 95 Straight Line Diagram|accessdate=2007-04-26|format=PDF|publisher=[[New Jersey Department of Transportation|NJDOT]]}}</ref><br>{{convert|8.17|mi|km|1|abbr=on}} Newark Bay Extension<ref name="sld 3">{{cite web|url=http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000078__-.pdf|title=Route 78 Straight Line Diagram|accessdate=2007-04-26|format=PDF|publisher=[[New Jersey Department of Transportation|NJDOT]]}}</ref> |established=1951 |direction_a=South |direction_b=North |starting_terminus=[[Image:I-295.svg|25px]][[Image:US 40.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 295 (Delaware-New Jersey)|I-295]]/[[U.S. Route 40|US 40]] in [[Pennsville Township, New Jersey|Pennsville]] |junction=[[Image:Circle sign 168.svg|25px]] [[New Jersey Route 168|NJ 168]] near [[Camden, New Jersey|Camden]]<!--to Atlantic City Expressway and I-76--><br>[[Image:I-95.svg|20px]][[Image:I-276.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 95 in New Jersey|I-95]]/[[Interstate 276|I-276]]/[[Pennsylvania Turnpike|PA Tpk]] in [[Mansfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey|Mansfield Twp]]<br>[[Image:I-195.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 195 (New Jersey)|I-195]] in [[Robbinsville Township, New Jersey|Robbinsville Twp]]<br>[[Image:Circle sign 18.svg|20px]] [[New Jersey Route 18|NJ 18]] in [[East Brunswick Township, New Jersey|East Brunswick Twp]]<br>[[Image:I-287.svg|25px]][[Image:Circle sign 440.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 287|I-287]]/[[New Jersey Route 440|NJ 440]] in [[Edison, New Jersey|Edison Twp]]<br>[[Image:GSPkwy Shield.svg|20px]][[Image:US 9.svg|20px]] [[Garden State Parkway|GSP]]/[[U.S. Route 9 in New Jersey|US 9]] in [[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge Twp]]<br>[[Image:I-278.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 278|I-278]] in [[Linden, New Jersey|Linden]]/[[Elizabeth, New Jersey|Elizabeth]]<br>[[Image:I-78.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 78|I-78]] in [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]]<br>[[Image:Circle sign 495.svg|25px]] [[New Jersey Route 495|NJ 495]] in [[Secaucus, New Jersey|Secaucus]]<br>[[Image:I-80.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 80 in New Jersey|I-80]] in [[Teaneck, New Jersey|Teaneck Twp]] |ending_terminus=[[Image:I-95.svg|20px]][[Image:US 1-9.svg|25px]][[Image:US 46.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 95 in New Jersey|I-95]]/[[U.S. Route 1/9|US 1/9]]/[[U.S. Route 46|46]] in [[Fort Lee, New Jersey|Fort Lee]] |previous_type=Interstate |previous_route=695 |browse_route=700 |next_type=Interstate |next_route=895 |commons=category }} The '''New Jersey Turnpike''' (or simply "The Turnpike" as it is known to New Jersey residents) is a [[toll road]] in [[New Jersey]] and is one of the most heavily traveled [[highway]]s in the [[United States]] (according to the IBTTA, the turnpike is the nation's 5th most traveled highway). A majority of the mainline as well as the entirety of both extensions and spurs are part of the [[Interstate Highway System]]. Construction of the Turnpike from conceptualization to opening took 23 months, from 1950 to 1952. The Turnpike boasts {{convert|12|ft|m|1|sing=on}}–wide lanes, {{convert|10|ft|m|1|sing=on}}–wide shoulders, 13 rest areas named after notable residents of New Jersey, and unusual exit signage that was considered the pinnacle of highway building in the 1950s. The Interstate Highway System took some of its design guidelines by copying the Turnpike's design guidelines. ==Route description== [[Image:NewJerseyTurnpikeAerial.JPG|thumb|150px|left|Aerial view of Exit 8 of the New Jersey Turnpike near [[Hightstown, New Jersey|Hightstown]]]] The main road of the New Jersey Turnpike runs from [[Carneys Point Township, New Jersey|Carneys Point Township]] in the south to [[Ridgefield Park, New Jersey|Ridgefield Park]] in the north. It is designated as unsigned '''Route 700''' from Exit 1 ([[Delaware Memorial Bridge]]) in Carneys Point Township, through to Exit 6 and as [[Interstate 95 in New Jersey|Interstate 95]] from Exits 6 ([[Mansfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey|Mansfield Township]]) through 18 ([[Secaucus, New Jersey|Secaucus]]/[[Carlstadt, New Jersey|Carlstadt]]). The number of lanes ranges from 4 lanes south of Exit 4 ([[Mount Laurel Township, New Jersey|Mount Laurel Township]]), the interchange with [[New Jersey Route 73|Route 73]], 6 lanes between Exit 4 and Exit 8A ([[Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey|Monroe Township]]), 10 lanes between Exit 8A and Exit 9 ([[East Brunswick Township, New Jersey|East Brunswick]]), 12 lanes between Exit 9 and Exit 11 ([[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge Township]]), the interchange for the [[Garden State Parkway]], and 14 lanes between Exit 11 and Exit 14 ([[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]]). [[Image:Turnpike split.png|thumb|200px|right|Changeable signage in the northbound cars only lanes for the split into the eastern and western alignments.]] The main headquarters for the Turnpike was in [[East Brunswick Township, New Jersey|East Brunswick Township]]; however after the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the New Jersey Highway Authority (former agency that maintains the [[Garden State Parkway]]) merged, the NJTA moved to the NJHA headquarters in [[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge Township]]. There, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority monitors vehicular volume on the entire length on the Turnpike. They operate three [[AM broadcasting|AM Radio]] channels, which broadcast advisories (weather, traffic, events) on the turnpike. Also, the main headquarters operates the VMS ([[Variable message sign|Variable Message Signs]]) on the turnpike, which alerts motorists of poor weather, accidents, or congestion. Speed Limit signs are also VMS. When the main sign flashes “REDUCE SPEED,” the speed limit VMS changes from its usual speed limit to a lowered one. The Authority also has a few closed-circuit TV cameras that show pictures of current traffic conditions. The cameras are located in [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]] (2 cameras), [[Secaucus, New Jersey|Secaucus]] (1), [[Elizabeth, New Jersey|Elizabeth]] (2), [[Jersey City, New Jersey|Jersey City]] (2), [[East Brunswick Township, New Jersey|East Brunswick Township]] (1), [[Mount Laurel Township, New Jersey|Mount Laurel Township]] (1), and [[Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey|Monroe Township]] (2). Before the advent of the interstate highways, the whole Turnpike was designated by the [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]] as Route 700, with the [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]] Extension being '''Route 700P''' and the Newark Bay Extension being '''Route 700N''' at one time. The western spur is officially known as '''Route 95W''' but signed as [[Interstate 95 in New Jersey|Interstate 95]] (see below). None of these state highway designations have ever been signed. [[Image:NJTP VMS.JPG|thumb|200px|right|A common VMS sign displaying a warning]] North of Exit 8A, the Turnpike splits into a "dual-dual" configuration, with the outer lanes open to all vehicles and the inner lanes limited to cars only, unless signed otherwise because of unusual conditions. From here to Exit 14 ([[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]]), the interchange with [[Interstate 78]], the road ranges from 10 to 14 lanes wide. Starting in [[Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey|Monroe Township]] (going north), the turnpike has a total of 10 lanes, 5 in each direction (2-3-3-2). From [[East Brunswick Township, New Jersey|East Brunswick]], the turnpike has a total of 12 lanes, 6 in each direction (3-3-3-3). From [[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge Township]], the turnpike has a total of 14 lanes, 7 in each direction (4-3-3-4). Between [[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge Township]] and [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]], [[High-occupancy vehicle lane|HOV]] lanes exist on the outer roadway (outer truck lanes), which is the reason for the extra lane. The HOV lanes are in effect on weekdays, from 6:00-9:00 northbound, and 16:00-19:00 (4pm-7pm) southbound (At times, the Authority might "suspend" the HOV restrictions entirely during peaks hours in case of extra vehicular volume). Between Exits 14 and 18, the Turnpike splits into two spurs, an eastern spur and a western spur. Both spurs are posted as I-95, although technically the eastern spur is I-95 as that was built first. The western spur is posted as I-95 for through traffic on I-95, while traffic entering at the ends of the split is routed via the eastern spur. The [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]] (NJDOT), which calls every class of highway ''Route'', calls the western spur Route 95W. [[Image:Lowairplane.JPG|thumb|200px|right|An airliner flies very low over the turnpike, just north of [[Newark Liberty International Airport]].]] The Turnpike also has two extensions: The first, the Newark Bay Extension, was opened in 1956 and is a part of [[Interstate 78]]. It connects [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]] with [[Lower Manhattan]] via the [[Holland Tunnel]] in [[Jersey City, New Jersey|Jersey City]] and intersects the mainline near [[Newark Liberty International Airport]]. This extension contains three exits (Exits 14A, 14B, and 14C) and due to its design (four lanes with a shoulderless [[Jersey barrier]] divider), it has a {{convert|50|mi/h|km/h|-1|abbr=on|lk=on}} speed limit. The second extension connects the mainline of the New Jersey Turnpike with the [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]] at Exit 6. A {{convert|6|mi|km|0|sing=on}} long six-lane highway, it not only connects the Pennsylvania Turnpike with the mainline, but also has an exit to [[U.S. Route 130]] near [[Florence, New Jersey|Florence]]. It was formerly designated as Route 700P, but is currently designated I-95 in preparation for when the [[Pennsylvania Turnpike/Interstate 95 Interchange Project]] is completed in 2009. A {{convert|4|mi|km|0|sing=on}} stretch of I-95 north of [[U.S. Route 46]] came under Turnpike Authority jurisdiction in 1992, as the NJDOT "sold" the road in order to balance the state budget. This section of the road is also "dual-dual", split into local and express lanes. This portion of the turnpike connects to the [[George Washington Bridge]]. On [[July 9]], [[2003]], [[Governor of New Jersey]] [[James McGreevey]]'s plan to merge the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the New Jersey Highway Authority (which had operated the [[Garden State Parkway]]) into one agency was completed. A section of the Turnpike and the surrounding land in [[Elizabeth, New Jersey|Elizabeth]] and [[Newark, New Jersey]] has been called "the most dangerous two miles (3 km) in America" by New Jersey Homeland Security officials due to the high volume of traffic in conjunction with the density of potential terrorist targets in the surrounding area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/anderson.cooper.360/blog/2006/08/most-dangerous-two-miles-in-america.html|title= The most dangerous two miles (3 km) in America|accessdate=2007-03-27|last=Cooper|first=Anderson|authorlink=Anderson Cooper|date= 2006-08-15|publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref> ===Bridges=== [[Image:IMG 0420 EDIT1 0149.jpg|thumb|200px|[[New York City]] from the New Jersey Turnpike]] A number of bridges are included as part of the New Jersey Turnpike: *The [[Basilone Bridge]] spans the [[Raritan River]], connecting [[Edison, New Jersey|Edison]] on the north with [[New Brunswick, New Jersey|New Brunswick]] on the south. *The [[Newark Bay Bridge]] (officially the '''Vincent R. Casciano Memorial Bridge''') is a steel [[cantilever bridge]] spanning [[Newark Bay]] and connecting [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]] and [[Bayonne, New Jersey|Bayonne]]. It was completed [[April 4]], [[1956]], as part of the Turnpike's Newark Bay Extension. *The [[Chaplain Washington Bridge]] and the [[Harry Laderman Bridge]] are steel girder spans that carry the Turnpike's eastern and western spurs, respectively, over the [[Passaic River]] at Newark. ===Rest areas===<!-- This section is linked from [[Clara Barton]] --> The New Jersey Turnpike is noted for naming its [[rest area]]s after people who lived or worked in New Jersey. From south to north, the rest areas are: * [[Clara Barton]] (southbound, milepost 5.4, in [[Oldmans Township, New Jersey|Oldmans Township]]) * [[John Fenwick (colonist)|John Fenwick]] (northbound, 5.4, in Oldmans) * [[Walt Whitman]] (southbound, 30.2, in [[Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey|Cherry Hill Township]]) * [[James Fenimore Cooper]] (northbound, 39.4, in [[Mount Laurel Township, New Jersey|Mount Laurel Township]]; officially "J. Fenimore Cooper") * [[Richard Stockton (1730-1781)|Richard Stockton]] (southbound, 58.7, in [[Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey|Hamilton Township (Mercer County)]]) * [[Woodrow Wilson]] (northbound, 58.7, in Hamilton (Mercer County)) * [[Molly Pitcher]] (southbound, 71.7, in [[Cranbury Township, New Jersey|Cranbury Township]]) * [[Joyce Kilmer]] (northbound, 78.7, in [[East Brunswick Township, New Jersey|East Brunswick Township]]) * [[Thomas Edison]] (southbound, 92.9, in [[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge Township]]) * [[Grover Cleveland]] (northbound, 92.9, in Woodbridge) * [[Alexander Hamilton]] (southbound, eastern spur, 111.6, in the [[Secaucus, New Jersey|Secaucus]]) * [[Vince Lombardi]] (northbound/southbound, 116.0 (eastern spur), 115.5 (western spur), in the [[Ridgefield, New Jersey|Boro of Ridgefield]]) Even long-time local motorists frequently do not know who some of these people were, or in the case of Kilmer, even what gender they were. (Kilmer's full name is Alfred Joyce Kilmer.) Several of the northbound rest stops are named after people better known by their middle names, rather than first names, these including Thomas Woodrow Wilson, the aforementioned Alfred Joyce Kilmer, and Stephen Grover Cleveland. "Molly Pitcher" is a name given to a woman (reportedly a water-bearer who helped cannoneers during a New Jersey battle during the [[American Revolutionary War]]) who may or may not have existed. Contemporary New Jersey writers such as [[Calvin Trillin]] and [[Philip Roth]] have ruefully commented that they hope they do not get a rest stop named after them once they die. Perhaps surprisingly, the ''Looking for America'' book describes the Edison, Lombardi, and Kilmer rest stops as possible hot spots for [[heterosexual]], [[homosexual]], and [[prostitution]] activities respectively. Turnpike rest areas comprise mostly [[Burger King]] and [[Roy Rogers Family Restaurants|Roy Rogers]] [[Fast food|fast-food restaurant]] locations. Most rest stops also include a [[Sunoco]], with gas price signs posted about half a mile before reaching the rest stop. If you are nothbound heading to New York City or Long Island, the last rest stop before the bridges and tunnels is Grover Cleveland. It is difficult to find a restroom after this rest stop. ===Toll collection=== [[Image:New Jersey Turnpike toll gate.jpg|thumb|right|200px|left|A New Jersey Turnpike Tollgate for Exit 8A in [[Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey|Monroe Township]]]] [[Image:Njtp.JPG|thumb|100px|left|A toll ticket received at Exit 15W in 2008.]] The New Jersey Turnpike is a closed-system [[toll road]], using a system of long-distance tickets, obtained once by a motorist upon entering and surrendered upon exiting at toll gates. The toll gates exist at all exits and entrances (except for the [[Meadowlands Sports Complex]]) and also at the highway extension toward the Hudson River. The toll fee depends on the distance traveled between entrance and exit, and longer distances result in higher tolls. [[As of 2004]], the automobile toll from Exit 1 to Exit 18 is $6.45. If the ticket is lost, one must pay the highest toll fee upon exiting. Discounts were available to all users of the [[E-ZPass]] [[electronic toll collection]] system until 2004. Since then, the costly implementation of the E-ZPass system forced the Turnpike Authority to eliminate the discounts during peak hours, and instead impose a $1 per month E-ZPass fee to their account holders, causing many New Jersey E-ZPass holders to obtain transponders through other toll authorities which do not impose the fee. E-ZPass customers still receive a discount during off-peak hours, when the automobile toll from Exit 1 to Exit 18 is $4.85. Cash customers do not receive this discount.<ref>{{cite web |author=New Jersey Turnpike Authority |url=http://www.state.nj.us/turnpike/nj-vcenter-tollrates.htm |title=NJTA- Toll Rate Calculator |accessdate=2007-10-22 |format= |work= }} </ref> Express E-ZPass implementation is underway, allowing E-ZPass customers at some of the toll plazas to travel through toll areas at highway speeds, via the addition of E-ZPass sensors on an overhead gantry. One of these high-speed toll gates is located at the northern terminus of the road, as southbound Interstate 95 traffic enters the turnpike. The newest one is located at the southern terminus in [[Carneys Point, New Jersey|Carneys Point]]. There is also a high-speed E-ZPass entry point on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Extension. At each location, traditional E-ZPass and cash lanes are also available. When travelling from the North, users who exit at the Meadowlands Sports Complex pay no toll, but the Turnpike Authority counts cars electronically and is paid a fee for each vehicle by the [[New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority]]. The non-tolled [[Interstate 295 (Delaware-New Jersey)|Interstate 295]], which parallels the Turnpike for much of its southern length, is often used as an alternate route for [[shunpiking]] by locals and through travelers alike; prior to the expansion of the Exit 1 toll plaza, this route was promoted through signage and radio announcements from the [[New Jersey State Police]] as a bypass of summer congestion at the plaza. ====Gov. Corzine's 2008 plan to increase tolls==== On [[January 8]], [[2008]], Governor [[Jon Corzine]] proposed a 50 percent increase in tolls on New Jersey's three toll roads in 2010, with increases of a similar percentage every four years after that, in order to help pay state debt. Each times tolls increased, there would be an additional increase for inflation since the last toll increase (for the first, since 2006). The roads would be maintained by a nonprofit "public benefit corporation" which would pay back bonds to the state. Under this plan, and without considering the inflation increases, tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike would rise from the current $6.45 to $42.92 in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last=McCoy |first=Craig R. |title=Corzine calls for 50% toll increase |publisher=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date=[[January 9]], [[2008]] |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/13555651.html}}</ref> It was considered possible that commuters will receive discounts from the higher toll rates.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nussbaum |first=Paul |title=Corzine: Toll-hike breaks are likely |publisher=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date=[[January 11]], [[2008]] |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/13701442.html}}</ref> The plan, however, was not enacted. ==History== [[Image:New Jersey Turnpike Construction 1951 LOC.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Hackensack Run bridge under construction in 1951]] [[Image:NJTTollsNight1992.jpg|thumb|175px|Approaching the Exit 11 tollbooths at night in 1992, in the days before E-ZPass.]] According to a letter to the editor written by the daughter of [[Paul L. Troast]], the first chairman of the NJ Turnpike Authority, Kathleen Troast Pitney: {{cquote|Governor Driscoll appointed three men to the Turnpike Authority in the late 1940s &ndash; Maxwell Lester, George Smith and Paul Troast, my father, as chairman. They had no enabling legislation and no funding. They were able to open more than two-thirds of the road in 11 months, completing the whole (project) in less than two years... When the commissioners broached the subject of landscaping the road... the governor told them he wanted a road to take the interstate traffic ... off New Jersey's existing roads. Since 85 percent of the traffic at that time was estimated to be from out of state, why spend additional funds on landscaping?<ref>http://www.nj.com/specialprojects/index.ssf?/specialprojects/turnpike/tpletters.html Letter to the Editor by daughter Kathleen Troast Pitney, [[November 2]], [[2001]]</ref>}} A brochure "Interesting Facts about the New Jersey Turnpike", dating from soon after the road's opening, states that when the Turnpike's bonds are paid off, "The law provides that the Turnpike be turned over to the State for inclusion in the public highway system." Due to new construction, and the expectation that the Turnpike pay for policing and maintenance, this has never come to pass. The task of building the turnpike was not an easy one. One major problem was the construction in the city of [[Elizabeth, New Jersey|Elizabeth]], where either 450 homes or 32 businesses would be destroyed, depending on the chosen route. The builders decided to go through the residential area, considering it the grittiest and the closest route to both [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark Airport]] and the [[Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal]] seaport. [[Image:NJ-TurnpikeSwamp.JPG|thumb|175px|NJ Turnpike passes the swampy Meadowlands, near NYC]] When construction finally got to Newark, there was a new challenge; Deciding to build either over or under the [[Pulaski Skyway]]. If construction went above the skyway, the costs would be much higher. If they went under, the costs would be lower, but the roadway would be very close to the [[Passaic River]], making it harder for ships to pass through. The engineers chose to go under. While continuing up to the [[New Jersey Meadowlands]], the crossings were harder because of the fertile marsh land of silt and mud. Near the shallow mud, engineers filled the mud with crushed stone, and built the roadway above the water table. In the deeper mud, engineers sank [[caisson (engineering)|caissons]] down to a firm stratum, filled the caissons with sand, then both the caissons, and the surrounding areas were covered with blankets of sand. Gradually, the water was brought up, and drained into adjacent meadows. Then, the construction of the two major bridges over the Passaic River and [[Hackensack River]] were completed. The bridges were built to give motorists a clear view of the [[New York City]] skyline, but with high retaining walls to make it seem as if you are not even crossing a river. The {{convert|6955|ft|m|abbr=on}} Passaic River (Chaplain Washington) Bridge cost $13.7 million to construct and the {{convert|5623|ft|m|abbr=on}} Hackensack River Bridge cost $9.5 million. A controversial project through the [[East Brunswick Township, New Jersey|East Brunswick]] area involved a proposed widening from six to twelve lanes. Analysis of noise (Shadely, 1973) and air quality impacts were made in a lawsuit decided in [[New Jersey Superior Court]]. This case in the early 1970s was one of the early U.S. examples of [[environmental scientist]]s playing a role in the design of a major highway. The [[computer model]]s allowed the court to understand the effects of roadway geometry (width in this case), vehicle speeds, proposed [[noise barrier]]s, [[residential]] setback and pavement types. The outcome was a compromise that involved substantial mitigation of [[noise pollution]] and [[air pollution]] impacts. ==Future developments== {{Future road|section}} [[Image:NJ GSPTP.png|thumb|right|200px|Map of New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway]] *In January 2004, the Authority opened up the refurbished 18W toll gate in [[Carlstadt, New Jersey|Carlstadt]]. The refurbishment includes two E-ZPass Express Lanes in both directions. *In July 2004, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority opened the new Exit 1 toll gate in [[Carneys Point Township, New Jersey|Carney's Point Township]]. The new 23-lane toll gate is near milepost 2.4, featuring a glass-enclosed overhead walkway for toll collectors, including "a concrete lighthouse to serve as a 'gateway' to the state as well as to the turnpike".<ref name="anderson">[http://www.nycroads.com/roads/nj-turnpike/ "New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) (Steve Anderson)]"</ref> The toll gate features 5 lanes heading north, 14 lanes heading south, and two "E-ZPass Express" Lanes in both directions. *In 2005, the Authority opened Exit 15X to allow access to the newly-built [[Secaucus Junction]] train station. *In February 2006, the Authority updated Exit 8A in [[Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey|Monroe Township]]. The former exit ramp that allowed traffic onto [[New Jersey Route 32|Route 32]] westbound, has been closed off. Instead, a new ramp leads to a traffic light at the intersection of the ramp and [[County Route 535 (New Jersey)|County Route 535]] in [[South Brunswick Township, New Jersey|South Brunswick Township]]. Route 535 was expanded between the new ramp intersection and Route 32. *The Turnpike Authority is planning to widen the turnpike from the Exit 1 toll gate in [[Carneys Point, New Jersey|Carney's Point Township]] to Exit 4 in [[Mount Laurel Township, New Jersey|Mount Laurel Township]]. Wider overpasses are currently being constructed to accommodate one extra lane in each direction (which would change the Southern Turnpike configuration from 2-2 to 3-3). *The Turnpike Authority plans to widen the turnpike between Exit 9 in [[East Brunswick Township, New Jersey|East Brunswick Township]] to Exit 8A in [[Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey|Monroe Township]]. This widening would change the dual-dual setup (from 2-3-3-2) to "3-3-3-3." *The Turnpike Authority is reconfiguring Exit 12 in the [[Carteret, New Jersey|Boro of Carteret]] to reduce truck traffic. A new grade separated interchange-ramp will be constructed from ''Roosevelt Ave'' east and connect to the toll gate. In addition, the toll gate is being widened (which will feature extra toll lanes). The estimated completion date is unknown. *The Authority is lowering the Eastern Spur (between 107.3 to 107.5 in [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]]). The lowered spur will consist of a minimum {{convert|15|ft|m|sing=on}} vertical clearance and a {{convert|12|ft|m|sing=on}} horizontal clearance on the shoulders underneath the Pulaski Skyway ([[U.S. Routes 1/9]]) once finished.<ref name="anderson" /> *The Authority planned to build [[New Jersey Route 92|Route 92]], a West-East Spur from [[U.S. Route 1 in New Jersey|US 1]] & Ridge Road in [[South Brunswick Township, New Jersey|South Brunswick Twp]], to the New Jersey Turnpike at Exit 8A in [[Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey|Monroe Township]]. This proposition was cancelled on [[December 1]], [[2006]]. *The Turnpike Authority is repaving portions of the expressway, including ramps, as well as repairing bridges and overpasses. ===Proposed widening between Interchanges 6 and 8A=== In November 2004, New Jersey Governor [[Richard Codey]] advocated a plan to widen the Turnpike, extending the dual-dual configuration {{convert|20.1|mi|km|1}} south from Exit 8A ([[Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey|Monroe Township]]) to Exit 6 ([[Mansfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey|Mansfield Township]]), by 2011, when the [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]] is supposed to complete an interchange that will connect its road to the existing I-95 in [[Bristol Township, Pennsylvania]]. Finances would be supplied by rerouting money from the planned [[New Jersey Route 92|NJ 92]] Turnpike extension. Overpasses are already being reconstructed to be compatible with a wider Turnpike.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/01/nyregion/01turnpike.html?ex=1152590400&en=f5327028e83ef2f7&ei=5070 New Jersey Set to Expand Turnpike], ''[[The New York Times]]'', [[December 1]], [[2004]]</ref> The NJTA is also planning to expand the turnpike between Exit 9 in [[East Brunswick, New Jersey|East Brunswick]] to Exit 8A in [[Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey|Monroe Township]]. This would change the current dual-dual configuration (2-3-3-2) to "3-3-3-3." This would require little construction as the overpasses were built with future expansion and would only require the outer lanes to be repaved and restriped to accommodate the extra lane. The dual-dual configuration (between 6 and 8A) was thought to have been "2-3-3-2." However, according to Turnpike documentation, the turnpike would feature '''six''' lanes in each direction (3-3-3-3).<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/turnpike/nj-news-Widening-PIC.pdf Turnpike authority to hold public information centers regarding widening project], [[November 20]], [[2006]]</ref> The following interchanges will be upgraded with this widening project: Exit 6 ([[Mansfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey|Mansfield]]), Exit 7 ([[Bordentown Township, New Jersey|Bordentown]]), Exit 7A ([[Robbinsville Township, New Jersey|Robbinsville Twp]]), Exit 8 ([[East Windsor Township, New Jersey|East Windsor Twp]]), and Exit 8A ([[Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey|Monroe Township]]). ====Widening proposal==== {| class=wikitable |- !Exit # !Interchange/Toll Gate Location !Mile !Ramp<br>Modifications !Expansion to Toll Gate !Notes |- |6 |Mansfield Township |50.9 |Build 2 lane high speed ramps to/from Inner & Outer Roadways |No |Future start of “Dual-Dual” setup |- |7 |Bordentown Twp |53.7 |Build single lane ramps to/from Inner & Outer Roadways |No | |- |''6N&S'' |Hamilton Twp |57.8 |Build single lane Inner & Outer Roadway exit/entrance ramps | --none— |''Woodrow Wilson Service Area'' (6N) & ''Richard Stockton Service Area'' (6S) |- |7A |Robbinsville Township |60.5 |Build new ramps to Inner & Outer Roadways |Yes – add 3 more lanes to gate |2 lane ramps to be built to enter NB lanes & exit SB lanes |- |8 |East Windsor Township |67.6 |Build new interchange with single lane ramps to/from Inner & Outer Roadways, and ramp to maintenance shed |Yes – New 12-lane toll gate |New Exit 8 will connect with ''Milford Road''-[[New Jersey Route 133|Hightstown Bypass]] and [[New Jersey Route 33|NJ 33]] |- |''7S'' |Cranbury Twp |71.5 |Build single lane SB ramps to/from Inner & Outer Roadways | --none-- |''Molly Pitcher Service Area'' on the SB side |- |8A |Monroe Township |73.9 |Build single lane entrance ramp to SB Inner Car Lanes |No | |} On [[January 1]], [[2007]], the Turnpike was facing opposition in [[East Windsor Township, New Jersey|East Windsor Township]] with an upgrade of Exit 8. The current Interchange 8 will be demolished and replaced with a new interchange. Prior to this plan being released, some thought that the new Exit 8 would connect directly with the [[New Jersey Route 133|Hightstown Bypass]]. There seems to be ample space (between mile markers 67.89 and 68.12) to build a new interchange, a toll gate and ramps for 133. The NJTA's plan was to re-route the new Exit 8 to the intersection with [[New Jersey Route 33|Route 33]], Milford Road, and the [[New Jersey Route 133|Hightstown Bypass]] (on the east side of the expressway in lieu of the west). This new 8 would grant direct access to the bypass (without going through any traffic lights), as well as to 33, using grade separated interchanges. The new toll gate would also feature a total of 12 booths at the gate. However, the interchange and the toll gate would run near some residential houses located right off of 33, and would disturb [[Twin Rivers, New Jersey|Twin Rivers]]. The Authority released 3 configuration options at the intersection of Milford, 33, and the bypass. *Option 1: This option would feature turnpike ramps that would lead to a diamond interchange at [[New Jersey Route 33|Route 33]], while the turnpike ramp turns into the [[New Jersey Route 133|133 bypass]] and crosses over 33. At the intersection with Route 33 and the interchange ramps (from the turnpike and 133), a traffic signal would be built underneath Exit 8/Route 133. However, the drawback is that this option would “stop drivers from making several turns near the exit. These include left-hand turns from Route 33 onto [a relocated] Milford Road and from Milford Road onto Route 33.” To make turns that are restricted, “the plan would push some trucks headed for Milford Road onto Lake Drive, which would be connected to Milford by a new connector road.” The ''relocated'' Milford Road would start at the intersection of Monmouth Street and continue southeast to the existing Milford Road near Daniel Street. *Option 2: A grade-separated diamond interchange would be constructed, which would lead the ramps towards Route 33. At the intersection with Route 33 and the interchange ramps (from the turnpike and 133), a traffic signal would be built underneath Exit 8 ramps/Route 133. In lieu of a connector road, a jug handle would be built on 33 west. This would intersect at 33 (with a traffic light) and become the ''relocated'' Milford Road (after crossing 33). The road would cross over the Turnpike ramps and resume it’s course near Daniel Street. *Option 3: A weird cloverleaf interchange would be built in lieu of a diamond interchange. After exiting the Turnpike from the 8 toll gate, a ramp on the right would lead to Milford Road or Route 33. The mainline of the turnpike ramp would cross over 33 and turn into the 133 bypass. A ''relocated'' Milford Road would be built across from Monmouth Street & 33 (without connecting Monmouth and Milford) towards the intersection with the current Milford Road and Daniel Street. The new Milford would cross over the turnpike ramps. A leaf would be built from the turnpike ramp approaching the 8 toll gate, which would connect to Milford. An entrance ramp would be constructed from Milford Road to the 8 toll gate. Traveling north on Milford, a ramp would be constructed, which would diverge into 2 ways; one way would merge into the turnpike ramp heading towards 133, and the other would intersect at a new traffic light at Route 33 (just {{convert|0.1|mi|km|1}} east of the current 33-133-Milford intersection).<ref>[http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-2/116762800881490.xml&coll=5 Pike plan raises concern], ''[[The Trenton Times]]'', [[January 1]], [[2007]]</ref> ==Emergency assistance== The New Jersey Turnpike Authority offers twelve foot wide shoulders wherever possible, and disabled vehicle service may be obtained by dialing #95 on a cellular phone. The reason why #95 was chosen is probably because the turnpike uses Interstate 95. On the Garden State Parkway, the assistance number is #GSP, which is #477 in number form. ==Minimum speed== The minimum speed limit for all zones on the turnpike is 10 MPH below the maximum speed limit. Between the Southern Terminus and milepost 97.2 the maximum speed limit is 65 mph (105 k/h) and 55 mph (88.5 k/h) at minimum, for example. ==Pop culture references== * The New Jersey Turnpike was famously referenced in the 1968 [[Simon and Garfunkel]] song "[[America (Paul Simon song)|America]]". * The movie ''[[Being John Malkovich]]'' featured several scenes that took place on the New Jersey Turnpike after people went inside actor [[John Malkovich]]'s head. The section of the Turnpike was the Newark Bay Extension at exit 14C. * The television show ''[[The Sopranos]]'' prominently featured the Turnpike in its opening credits. * The [[Bruce Springsteen]] song "[[State Trooper (song)|State Trooper]]" features the Turnpike prominently in its lyrics. The band [[Deus (band)|dEUS]] quotes the line ''"New Jersey Turnpike riding on a wet night"'' from Springsteen's "State Trooper" in the song "Theme From Turnpike". *[[An Inconvenient Truth]] shows a few seconds of [[Al Gore]] riding the northbound lanes on the outer truck lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike, right at Exit 13 in the [[Elizabeth, New Jersey|City of Elizabeth]]. *In the final season of the X-Files the NJ Turnpike gets mentioned several times. Among others, they track down a suspect by the surveillance and toll system. ==Exit list== {| class=wikitable |- !County !Location ![[Exit number|#]] !Mile<ref name="sld 0" /><ref name="sld 1" /> !Destinations !Notes |- |rowspan=3|[[Salem County, New Jersey|Salem]] |[[Pennsville Township, New Jersey|Pennsville Twp]] | |0.00 |{{Jct|state=NJ|I|295|US|40|city1=Delaware Memorial Bridge}} |Opened [[November 5]], [[1951]] |- |rowspan=2|[[Carneys Point Township, New Jersey|Carneys Point Township]] | |1.12 |{{Jct|state=NJ|US|40|NJ|140|CR|540|city1=Penns Grove|city2=Deepwater|city3=Atlantic City}} | |- |1 |2.4 !colspan=2|Exit 1 Toll Plaza ([[Delaware Memorial Bridge]]) |- |[[Gloucester County, New Jersey|Gloucester]] |[[Woolwich Township, New Jersey|Woolwich Township]] |2 |12.8 |{{Jct|state=NJ|US|322|CR|536|city1=Swedesboro}}, [[Chester, Pennsylvania]], [[Commodore Barry Bridge]] |Opened [[November 5]], [[1951]] |- |[[Camden County, New Jersey|Camden]] |[[Runnemede, New Jersey|Boro of Runnemede]] |3 |26.1 |{{jct|state=NJ|NJ|168|ACE|to2=to|city1=Camden}}, [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]], [[Woodbury, New Jersey|Woodbury]] |Opened [[November 5]], [[1951]] |- |rowspan=5|[[Burlington County, New Jersey|Burlington]] |[[Mount Laurel Township, New Jersey|Mount Laurel Township]] |4 |34.5 |{{jct|state=NJ|NJ|73|city1=Camden}}, [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]] |Opened [[November 5]], [[1951]] |- |[[Westampton Township, New Jersey|Westampton Township]] |5 |44.1 |{{jct|state=NJ|CR|541|city1=Burlington|city2=Mount Holly}} |Opened [[November 5]], [[1951]] |- |[[Mansfield, Burlington County, New Jersey|Mansfield Township]] |6 |51.0<br>P5.6 |{{jct|state=NJ|I|276|US|130|city1=Florence}}, [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]] |Opened [[May 25]], [[1956]]. Eastern terminus of Pennsylvania Extension.<br/> Unsigned [[Image:I-95.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 95 in New Jersey|Interstate 95]] south. Will be signed once [[Pennsylvania Turnpike/Interstate 95 Interchange Project|upgrade work]] is completed. |- |[[Florence Township, New Jersey|Florence Twp]] |(6A) |P2.6 |{{jct|state=NJ|US|130|city1=Burlington|city2=Bordentown|city3=Florence}} |Opened [[May 25]], [[1956]]; partial exit was converted to a full exit in 1998-99. Toll plaza located at milepost P3.17 using Express EZ-Pass. |- |[[Bordentown Township, New Jersey|Bordentown Twp]] |7 |53.3 |{{jct|state=NJ|US|206|city1=Bordentown|city2=Trenton|city3=Fort Dix|city4=Hammonton}} |Opened [[November 30]], [[1951]] |- |rowspan=2|[[Mercer County, New Jersey|Mercer]] |[[Robbinsville Township, New Jersey|Robbinsville Township]] |7A |60.5 |{{jct|state=NJ|I|195|city1=Trenton}}, [[Jersey Shore|Shore Points]], [[Six Flags Great Adventure]] |Opened in the 1970s |- |[[East Windsor Township, New Jersey|East Windsor Township]] |8 |67.6 |{{jct|state=NJ|NJ|33|NJ|133|to2=to|city1=Hightstown|city2=Freehold|city3=East Windsor}} |Opened [[November 30]], [[1951]] |- |rowspan=6|[[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex]] |[[Cranbury Township, New Jersey|Cranbury Twp]] | |72.8 !colspan=2|Turnpike divides northbound, merges southbound.<br>(Inner roadway for cars only, outer roadway for cars-trucks-buses.) |- |[[Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey|Monroe Township]] |8A |73.9 |{{jct|state=NJ|NJ|32|CR|535|CR|612|county3=Middlesex|city1=Jamesburg|city2=Princeton|city3=Cranbury}} |Opened 1968 |- |[[East Brunswick Township, New Jersey|East Brunswick Township]] |9 |83.4 |{{jct|state=NJ|NJ|18|US|1|city1=New Brunswick|city2=East Brunswick}} |Opened [[November 30]], [[1951]] |- |[[Edison, New Jersey|Edison Township]] |10 |88.1 |{{jct|state=NJ|I|287|NJ|440|CR|514|city1=Perth Amboy|city2=Metuchen|city3=Edison}}, [[Outerbridge Crossing]] |Originally opened [[November 30]], [[1951]] to connect with the [[Garden State Parkway]], rebuilt in 1966 to connect with Interstate 287 and Route 440 |- |[[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge Township]] |11 |91.0 |{{jct|state=NJ|US|9|GSP|city1=Woodbridge}}, [[Jersey Shore|Shore Points]] |Originally opened [[November 30]], [[1951]] to connect with U.S. Route 9, rebuilt in 1966 to connect with the Garden State Parkway |- |[[Carteret, New Jersey|Boro of Carteret]] |12 |95.9 |{{jct|state=NJ|CR|602|county1=Middlesex|city1=Carteret|city2=Rahway}} |Opened [[December 12]], [[1951]] |- |rowspan=2|[[Union County, New Jersey|Union]] |rowspan=2|[[Elizabeth, New Jersey|City of Elizabeth]] |13 |99.4 |{{jct|state=NJ|I|278|NJ|439|city1=Elizabeth}}, [[Goethals Bridge]], [[Verrazano-Narrows Bridge|Verrazano Bridge]] |Opened [[December 12]], [[1951]] |- |13A |101.6 |{{jct|state=NJ|NJ|81|city1=Elizabeth}}, [[Newark International Airport|Newark Airport]], [[Elizabeth Seaport]] |Opened in 1982 |- |[[Essex County, New Jersey|Essex]] |[[Newark, New Jersey|City of Newark]] |14 |104.7 |{{jct|state=NJ|I|78|US|1-9|US|22}} – [[Newark International Airport|Newark Airport]] |Opened [[December 12]], [[1951]]; western terminus of the Newark Bay Extension |- |rowspan=3|[[Hudson County, New Jersey|Hudson]] |rowspan=3|[[Jersey City, New Jersey|City of Jersey City]] |14A |N3.5 |{{jct|state=NJ|NJ|440|city1=Bayonne}} |Opened [[April 4]], [[1956]]; on the Newark Bay Extension |- |14B |N5.5 |[[Jersey City, New Jersey|Jersey City]], [[Liberty State Park]], Garfield Avenue, LSP Park and Ride |Opened [[September 15]], [[1956]]; on the Newark Bay Extension |- |14C |N5.9 |[[Holland Tunnel]], Columbus Drive, Downtown Jersey City, Journal Square |Opened [[September 15]], [[1956]]; on the Newark Bay Extension |- |rowspan=2|[[Essex County, New Jersey|Essex]] |rowspan=2|[[Newark, New Jersey|City of Newark]] | |105.6 !colspan=2|Car/truck lanes merge northbound, split southbound.<br>Eastern and western spurs split northbound, merge southbound. |- |15E |E106.9 |{{jct|state=NJ|US-Truck|1-9|city1=Newark|city2=Jersey City}} |Opened [[December 12]], [[1951]]; full interchange on the Eastern Spur, southbound exit and northbound entrance on the Western Spur |- |rowspan=4|[[Hudson County, New Jersey|Hudson]] |[[Kearny, New Jersey|Town of Kearny]] |15W |E108.5<br>W108.8 |{{jct|state=NJ|I|280|city1=Newark|city2=Kearny}} |Opened January 1970; full interchange on the Western Spur, southbound exit and northbound entrance on the Eastern Spur |- |rowspan=3|[[Secaucus, New Jersey|Town of Secaucus]] |15X |E110.8 |[[Secaucus Junction]], [[Secaucus, New Jersey|Secaucus]] |Opened [[December 1]], [[2005]]; on the Eastern Spur |- |16E<br>18E |E112.3 !colspan=2|Exit 16E/18E Toll Plaza ([[Lincoln Tunnel]]/[[George Washington Bridge]]) |- |17 |E112.7 |{{jct|state=NJ|NJ|3|NJ|495}} – [[Lincoln Tunnel]], [[Secaucus, New Jersey|Secaucus]] |Opened [[January 15]], [[1952]] as four ramps at Route 3. Southbound exit and northbound entrance only; exit tolled only for motorists going from Turnpike southbound to Route 495 eastbound. Route 495 westbound to Turnpike northbound is free |- |rowspan=3|[[Bergen County, New Jersey|Bergen]] |[[East Rutherford, New Jersey|Boro of East Rutherford]] |16W |W112.7 |{{jct|state=NJ|NJ|3|city1=Secaucus|city2=Rutherford}}, [[Lincoln Tunnel]], [[Meadowlands Sports Complex]] |Opened January 1970; on the Western Spur |- |[[Carlstadt, New Jersey|Boro of Carlstadt]] |18W |W113.8 !colspan=2|Exit 18W Toll Plaza ([[George Washington Bridge]]) |- |[[Ridgefield Park, New Jersey|Village of Ridgefield Park]] | |E117.2<br>W116.8 !colspan=2|Eastern and Western Spurs merge northbound and split southbound.<br>Express and local lanes split northbound and merge southbound. |- !colspan=6|[[Image:I-95.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 95 in New Jersey|Interstate 95]] continues north to the [[George Washington Bridge]], maintained by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. |} In New Jersey, only the New Jersey Turnpike and the [[Palisades Interstate Parkway]] use sequential exit numbers; all other exit numbers in New Jersey are based on approximate mileage. ==See also== *[[Garden State Parkway]] *[[Interstate 95 in New Jersey]] *[[Highways along the BosWash corridor]] == Further reading == * Gillespie, Angus Kress and Rockland, Michael Aaron. ''Looking for America on the New Jersey Turnpike''. Rutgers University Press, 1989. ISBN 0-8135-1466-5. * John Shadely, ''Acoustical analysis of the New Jersey Turnpike widening project between Raritan and East Brunswick'', [[Bolt, Beranek and Newman]], 1973 == References == {{Reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.nj.gov/turnpike New Jersey Turnpike Authority & Garden State Parkway Official Website] *[http://www.njturnpikewidening.com] Official Turnpike Widening Website *[http://www.nycroads.com/roads/nj-turnpike/ nycroads.com New Jersey Turnpike Historic Overview] *[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/enlarged_view_46.pdf An expanded view of road jurisdiction near the confluence of US 46, I-95 / NJTurnpike, I 280, NJ 7 and CR 508 in Kearny] {{Philadelphia Road Transportation}} {{NJ Expressways}} [[Category:Interstate 78|Newark Bay Extension]] [[Category:State highways in New Jersey]] [[Category:Toll roads in New Jersey]] [[Category:Tolled sections of Interstate Highways]] [[Category:Interstate 95]] [[Category:Limited access New Jersey state routes]] [[Category:1951 establishments]] [[Category:Transportation in Middlesex County, New Jersey]] [[fr:New Jersey Turnpike]] [[sv:New Jersey Turnpike]] [[zh:紐澤西收費高速公路]]