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NJ - 295/76/42 Construction Projects

Started by jeffandnicole, January 23, 2013, 09:21:46 AM

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NE2

Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 15, 2013, 10:21:39 PM
I-95 North into PA, to I-76 East across the Walt Whitman Bridge, to Rt. 42 South, to the AC Expressway.
The reverse trip has a single light on the ramp from I-76 west to I-95 south. Clearly a reason to spend billions.
pre-1945 Florida route log

I accept and respect your identity as long as it's not dumb shit like "identifying as a vaccinated attack helicopter".


vdeane

Interchanges between freeways should not have traffic lights or any other form of stopping.  Why the feds haven't threatened to cut PA's funding because of this, I don't know.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position of NYSDOT or its affiliates.

NE2

There's a toll booth right before the ramp. So much for not stopping.
pre-1945 Florida route log

I accept and respect your identity as long as it's not dumb shit like "identifying as a vaccinated attack helicopter".

jeffandnicole

There are certain many valid reasons why the Turnpike & 42 should have an interchange.  In fact, Turnpike, 42 and 55 should be all tied together, and with the 295/42 missing move ramps basically designed, they could be tied in as well.  The interchange would most likely be all-electronic tolling, eliminating the need for an entire toll plaza and trumpet ramps.  The wetlands in the area are an issue however.

Those from South of New Jersey wanting to head to AC or the Jersey Shore area are only wasting an extra buck or whatever it is now by taking the turnpike.  295 to 42 (via a u-turn on 76 at Market Street, Exit 1C) is just as fast.  And if someone tries doing this at rush hour, many times it's still faster than Exiting at Exit 3 of the NJ Turnpike due to toll plaza congestion and NJ 168 congestion.

vdeane

Quote from: NE2 on March 16, 2013, 12:20:31 PM
There's a toll booth right before the ramp. So much for not stopping.
Toll booths are an exception, but it's worth noting that those of us with E-ZPass don't stop at toll booths.  ;) Even the one time I encountered a booth with gate arms, the transponder triggered the gate before I could get to a complete stop.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position of NYSDOT or its affiliates.

roadman65

Actually I have found that Route 40 is not that bad going across New Jersey to get to the Jersey Shore.  True its not freeway, but you cannot have everything.   Even if an Exit 2A was constructed, I think many will still use Route 40 or even Route 70  if going to Ocean County Beaches over to a Turnpike- Route 42-ACE- GSP combination.
Every day is a winding road, you just got to get used to it.

Sheryl Crowe

PHLBOS

Quote from: deanej on March 16, 2013, 11:57:44 AM
Interchanges between freeways should not have traffic lights or any other form of stopping.  Why the feds haven't threatened to cut PA's funding because of this, I don't know.
Had the feds actually done that; similar would've been done when the 3-level, I-476/US 1 interchange was built.
GPS does NOT equal GOD

Perfxion

If Feds are cutting funding for lack of highway ramps and stubs not being finished on I-95, this conversation begins and ends with New Jersey.
5/10/20/30/15/35/37/40/44/45/70/76/78/80/85/87/95/
(CA)405,(NJ)195/295(NY)295/495/278/678(CT)395(MD/VA)195/495/695/895

Flyer78

Quote from: PHLBOS on March 18, 2013, 08:52:32 AM
Quote from: deanej on March 16, 2013, 11:57:44 AM
Interchanges between freeways should not have traffic lights or any other form of stopping.  Why the feds haven't threatened to cut PA's funding because of this, I don't know.
Had the feds actually done that; similar would've been done when the 3-level, I-476/US 1 interchange was built.

And Cali loves its ramp meters, even on freeway-to-freeway connections. Prepare to Stop warnings never seemed so urgent...

PHLBOS

#34
Quote from: Flyer78 on March 18, 2013, 06:07:27 PMAnd Cali loves its ramp meters, even on freeway-to-freeway connections. Prepare to Stop warnings never seemed so urgent...
PA has those along US 22 in the Lehigh Valley area and the fore-mentioned I-476 has them at every interchange (including the fore-mentioned US 1/Media Bypass interchange) except at I-95, I-76 (mainly due to those interchanges being fully built years before I-476 opened) & I-276, though the latter has a toll plaza.
GPS does NOT equal GOD

jeffandnicole

Quote from: PHLBOS on March 19, 2013, 08:39:25 AM
Quote from: Flyer78 on March 18, 2013, 06:07:27 PMAnd Cali loves its ramp meters, even on freeway-to-freeway connections. Prepare to Stop warnings never seemed so urgent...
PA has those along US 22 in the Lehigh Valley area and the fore-mentioned I-476 has them at every interchange (including the fore-mentioned US 1/Media Bypass interchage) except at I-95, I-76 (mainly due to those interchanges being fully built years before I-476 opened) & I-276, though the latter has a toll plaza.

NJ had one short-lived ramp meter in an unlikely, uncongested area - leaving Harrah's Casino onto NJ 87 in Atlantic City. The meter seemed to flash green whenever a car approached, and traffic on 87 is generally light. 

The meter's use was short lived, as shortly after it was installed the AC Expressway Connector was built, and the ramp from Harrahs was moved slightly.  Amazingly, the unused ramp meter lights remain, as shown in the grassy median of this pic: http://goo.gl/maps/0JAHm

Flyer78

Quote from: PHLBOS on March 19, 2013, 08:39:25 AM
PA has those along US 22 in the Lehigh Valley area and the fore-mentioned I-476 has them at every interchange (including the fore-mentioned US 1/Media Bypass interchage) except at I-95, I-76 (mainly due to those interchanges being fully built years before I-476 opened) & I-276, though the latter has a toll plaza.

The exceptions you mention are exactly what I am talking about - imagine a metered connection 476 to 95... or 295 to 42 in NJ (to be on-topic).

CalTrans is proud of this, from their website: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/travel/projects/details.php?id=2
Quote
Freeway-to-freeway connector meters:

Freeway-to-freeway connector meters have been installed at nine connectors to transition motorists onto I-210 from State Routes 2, 57, 118, 134 and 605. To date, four connectors are activated (SR-57 and SR-605) and the other five are scheduled for activation in 2010. Nowhere in the nation, or the world, has freeway-to-freeway connector metering been used with such innovation and to the extent as in Los Angeles County.

The Bay Bridge incorporates these as well past their toll-booth.  http://goo.gl/maps/lt3VO  (Yes, Cali Ramp/Mainline meters have 3-phases, yellow is used as a warning "meters are about to start"



Also, to cross-reference a thread: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=5031.0

PHLBOS

#37
Quote from: Flyer78 on March 19, 2013, 04:09:57 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 19, 2013, 08:39:25 AM
PA has those along US 22 in the Lehigh Valley area and the fore-mentioned I-476 has them at every interchange (including the fore-mentioned US 1/Media Bypass interchage) except at I-95, I-76 (mainly due to those interchanges being fully built years before I-476 opened) & I-276, though the latter has a toll plaza.

The exceptions you mention are exactly what I am talking about - imagine a metered connection 476 to 95... or 295 to 42 in NJ (to be on-topic).
You are aware that US 1 where it intersects I-476 is also a freeway/expressway; so it would indeed qualify as an expressway/expressway interchange. 

The current Exit 5 (original Exit 3) interchange configuration w/its 4 signalized ramp crossings was not what was originally planned and was designed/conceived roughly at the same time PennDOT downsized its I-476 corridor between PA 3 and MacDade Blvd. to 4 lanes rather than the original 6 lanes.  The supplemental ramp/loop signals there (and all non-freeway interchanges) were added about a year or two after the road's Dec. 1991 opening.
GPS does NOT equal GOD

Flyer78

Yes, it is freeway to freeway, with the "South to North" and "North to South" movements requiring going through fully signalized intersections, not ramp-meter like timing. It is possible, queue willing, to go from south to south  (or north to north) without stopping at any signal.  (Not to mention US-1 North's controlled-access portion ends just after that intersection.)

The only point I was making was to imagine the use of ramp meters (one car/two car per green) alternating/forcing a merge, as opposed to a full signal from one to another. My colleagues in CA swear by the system, but it is not something my party was expecting on a so-called high speed merge ramp between two expressways.


PHLBOS

Quote from: Flyer78 on March 19, 2013, 05:14:13 PMThe only point I was making was to imagine the use of ramp meters (one car/two car per green) alternating/forcing a merge, as opposed to a full signal from one to another. My colleagues in CA swear by the system, but it is not something my party was expecting on a so-called high speed merge ramp between two expressways.
If memory serves, PennDOT likely looked to CA when they planned and installed those ramp meter signals at the fore-mentioned US 22 & I-476 interchanges.

BTW and as mentioned earlier, the I-476/US 1 interchange has both signalization and ramp meters.  And while US 1 transitions from a limited-access highway to an arterial highway just north of the interchange as you stated; it's still considered a freeway-to-freeway interchange.  Had the interchange been built to its originally-designed configuration, I don't believe those ramp meter signals would've been added.
GPS does NOT equal GOD

MASTERNC

Quote from: PHLBOS on March 19, 2013, 08:39:25 AM
Quote from: Flyer78 on March 18, 2013, 06:07:27 PMAnd Cali loves its ramp meters, even on freeway-to-freeway connections. Prepare to Stop warnings never seemed so urgent...
PA has those along US 22 in the Lehigh Valley area and the fore-mentioned I-476 has them at every interchange (including the fore-mentioned US 1/Media Bypass interchange) except at I-95, I-76 (mainly due to those interchanges being fully built years before I-476 opened) & I-276, though the latter has a toll plaza.

Not to elongate an "off topic" conversation but PennDOT also turned off the ramp meter from US 30 to I-476 NB, probably because it is a shorter ramp and merge area.

PHLBOS

Quote from: MASTERNC on March 20, 2013, 10:59:13 PMNot to elongate an "off topic" conversation but PennDOT also turned off the ramp meter from US 30 to I-476 NB, probably because it is a shorter ramp and merge area.
The only ones I've seen actually turned on are the ones at:
MacDade Blvd. (Exit 1, nrthbound entrance only)
Baltimore Pike (Exit 3)
US 1/Media Bypass (Exit 5)

PA 3, US 30 & (this one's a surprise given that the interchange was built in the 70s) Ridge Pike have them as well but I don't believe I've ever seen them turned on and in use.
GPS does NOT equal GOD

jeffandnicole

OK, back to 295/42/76...

Minor construction stuff has started up this week.  Construction signs are up approaching the work zone.  Reduced speed limit signs haven't been posted yet, although the posts are mounted for those signs.  Those signs will be located no more than about a 1/4 or 1/2 mile prior to the construction zone.

Lane closures at night for some minor prep work.  Evidence of stakes and other stuff in/on the ground along the shoudlers for marking whatever they're marking.

A few permament VMS signs are getting installed before the construction zones; those are being worked on as well.

Two unrelated projects that the state wanted to work on to assist with traffic flow were the intersection of Benigno Blvd at NJ 168, and a new bridge deck on 168 over 295; both of those projects are nearing completion as well.

Interstatefan78

I would say RT-42 needs HOV lanes up to the RT-55 Interchange since NJ Transit plans a Camden to Rowan University (Glassboro) bus line and also a NJDOT draft shows HOV lanes through the I-295/76 and RT-42 interchange  http://www.nj.gov/transportation/works/studies/rt295/pdf/DraftStatementofPurpose.pdf

Flyer78

Quote from: PHLBOS on March 21, 2013, 08:29:43 AM
PA 3, US 30 & (this one's a surprise given that the interchange was built in the 70s) Ridge Pike have them as well but I don't believe I've ever seen them turned on and in use.

They are active at most ramps (with the recent construction at the northern end complete) -- except Ridge Pike to I-476 NB, and the afore-mentioned US30 to northbound.  PA 3 to North has not used them because the third-lane starts at that point, no merge necessary.

I am aware the other interchanges were completed years ago, but they actually replaced the ramp meters in the northern section (Ridge, Germantown, etc.) -- they could in theory be added if it was desired.

Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 21, 2013, 12:34:22 PM
OK, back to 295/42/76...
...

A few permament VMS signs are getting installed before the construction zones; those are being worked on as well.

Do you know if there are plans to post travel times on these? That has been rather useful at for some projects in PA along the Turnpike...

SteveG1988

Quote from: Flyer78 on March 21, 2013, 07:12:49 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on March 21, 2013, 08:29:43 AM
PA 3, US 30 & (this one's a surprise given that the interchange was built in the 70s) Ridge Pike have them as well but I don't believe I've ever seen them turned on and in use.

They are active at most ramps (with the recent construction at the northern end complete) -- except Ridge Pike to I-476 NB, and the afore-mentioned US30 to northbound.  PA 3 to North has not used them because the third-lane starts at that point, no merge necessary.

I am aware the other interchanges were completed years ago, but they actually replaced the ramp meters in the northern section (Ridge, Germantown, etc.) -- they could in theory be added if it was desired.

Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 21, 2013, 12:34:22 PM
OK, back to 295/42/76...
...

A few permament VMS signs are getting installed before the construction zones; those are being worked on as well.

Do you know if there are plans to post travel times on these? That has been rather useful at for some projects in PA along the Turnpike...

I know they had them when they did construction with cattlechutes north of exit 26, so i would say, it is very likely
Roads Clinched

I55,I82,I84(E&W)I88(W),I87(N),I81,I64,I74(W),I72,I57,I24,I65,I59,I12,I71,I77,I76(E&W),I70,I79,I85,I86(W),I27,I16,I97,I96,I43,I41,

jeffandnicole

#46
Quote from: Interstatefan78 on March 21, 2013, 06:55:59 PM
I would say RT-42 needs HOV lanes up to the RT-55 Interchange since NJ Transit plans a Camden to Rowan University (Glassboro) bus line and also a NJDOT draft shows HOV lanes through the I-295/76 and RT-42 interchange  http://www.nj.gov/transportation/works/studies/rt295/pdf/DraftStatementofPurpose.pdf

I recall seeing a list somewhere of the possible alternatives and/or additions to a revised interchange or traffic pattern.

HOV lanes were the first thing eliminated.  This was also at a time when the HOV lanes on I-80 in North Jersey were failing bigtime, so I think NJDOT was a bit hesitant to include them in another large scale project.  And EZ Pass was just ramping up.  A lot of congestion at that time was due to the toll plaza 4 miles ahead at the Walt Whitman Bridge. With EZ Pass usage so great now, it's eliminated the bridge congestion and the resulting advantage HOV lanes would provide. (Having said that, I take a carpool where most days 4 people are in the car. They would sometimes prove very valuable if my route had them installed.)

As far as that rail line is concerned, NJDOT/NJ Transit is heavily considering Exclusive Bus Lanes along Rt. 42 rather than a HOV lane.  The rail line will use existing Conrail tracks thru several small towns kinda/sorta parallel to NJ 45.


Quote from: Flyer78 on March 21, 2013, 07:12:49 PM

Do you know if there are plans to post travel times on these? That has been rather useful at for some projects in PA along the Turnpike...

What NJDOT has done in the past is use the portable VMS signs with mobile dopplar radar units.  I believe they are utilizing these again for the project.  The permanent ones I mentioned above will be used for specific messages.  BUT...

Even better...

NJDOT has started posting travel times on many of their VMS's along 295!  Currently, they appear to be doing it during rush hours in the main direction of travel.  They have been very convenient and accurate so far.  The message is very simple (maybe even a little too abbreviated, actually).  A few typical signs I see in the morning are as follows:

On 295 North after Exit 23 (US 130):

WALT       9 MIN
BEN        13 MIN
NJ70       14 MIN

And further north, say, between NJ Routes 70 & 73, the sign will show

NJ38          5 MIN
EX47        11 MIN
29/195     24 MIN

For the normal traffic, they would know the WALT to be the Walt Whitman Bridge, BEN to be the Ben Franklin Bridge, and the normal traffic would know those are destinations not reached on 295 alone. Notice the use of both route numbers and exit numbers...I guess based on what they feel people would recognize the most.  Notice too they eliminate the "Travel Times" line, mileage, etc.  From what I've seen, traffic tends to move smoothly approachign the signs, so people aren't slowing down to try to understand them.

I wished they would put a space between NJ38 (NJ 38), and there's enough room to write out EXIT 47, rather than EX47.  Signs further North will show the time to Route 1, written as US-1.

The longest line I've seen is DEL MEM BR  38 MIN, so there's about enough room for 10 characters before the time.  And on the signs on 295 South near Exit 24A & Exit 15, they take 2 lines to write the following.  No message is on the 3rd line.

COMMODORE
BARRY BR  15 MIN

CrystalWalrein

I hope everyone understands that there are wetlands where NJ 42 crosses over the Turnpike, so good luck convincing the state to mitigate them for a connection between the two roads.

cpzilliacus

Quote from: CrystalWalrein on March 24, 2013, 11:39:16 PM
I hope everyone understands that there are wetlands where NJ 42 crosses over the Turnpike, so good luck convincing the state to mitigate them for a connection between the two roads.

Do those wetlands have to be filled-in to build a connection?  I don't think so.
Opinions expressed here on AAROADS are strictly personal and mine alone, and do not reflect policies or positions of MWCOG, NCRTPB or their member federal, state, county and municipal governments or any other agency.

CrystalWalrein

Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 25, 2013, 01:42:04 AM
Quote from: CrystalWalrein on March 24, 2013, 11:39:16 PM
I hope everyone understands that there are wetlands where NJ 42 crosses over the Turnpike, so good luck convincing the state to mitigate them for a connection between the two roads.

Do those wetlands have to be filled-in to build a connection?  I don't think so.

Well, if you want to completely rebuild NJ 42 and NJ 55 all the way to NJ 41 (in addition to I-76 and I-295), and take out Interstate Business Park in the process, no.



Opinions expressed here on belong solely to the poster and do not represent or reflect the opinions or beliefs of AARoads, its creators and/or associates.