NJ 55 extension brought up by US Senatorial Candidate

[J Route Z]

It's been rehashed over and over by politicians and even on this site, but Bob Hugin, a NJ state senator is pushing to get Route 55 to finally come to fruition. There is no actual approval, but he seems to be urging feds to get this done after many decades of delay and disinterest. IMO, this highway is a vital link for travelers from the Philadelphia metro area to points south, including Glassboro, Vineland and Cape May. If it were to be extended further, this would lessen traffic on the unsafe Delsea Drive which faces some serious congestion for shore traffic. It seems to be that one of the major negative aspects of this proposal are the environmental impacts.

https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/hugin-extend-route-55-south-jersey/

[PHLBOS]

It seems to be that one of the major negative aspects of this proposal are the environmental impacts.

Such has always been the reason why this highway extension has, to date, not become reality.

[Beltway]

It seems to be that one of the major negative aspects of this proposal are the environmental impacts.

Such has always been the reason why this highway extension has, to date, not become reality.

Perhaps 20 miles long if extended to the Parkway near Avalon?  So somewhere between $500 and $800 million would be in the ballpark.  Could bridge over some areas of wetlands.

[jeffandnicole]

It's pretty much like clockwork that someone brings this up every 2 years.  Expect to hear the same thing repeated around October, 2020.

The actual price, I would expect, would be well over $1 billion; approaching $2 billion.  It's costing NJDOT $150 million just to build a 1 mile, half-elevated ramp between 295 and 42.  The only thing going for the area is land prices are relatively cheaper.

[PHLBOS]

You thread title should read, "NJ 55 extension brought up by US Senatorial Candidate" 

Bob Hugin is not currently serving in any political capacity/office.

[kurumi]

Placing this story in Fictional Highways is a nice bit of shade

[Beltway]

The actual price, I would expect, would be well over $1 billion; approaching $2 billion.  It's costing NJDOT $150 million just to build a 1 mile, half-elevated ramp between 295 and 42.  The only thing going for the area is land prices are relatively cheaper.

No, it wouldn't cost $100 million per mile, probably not even $50 million.  The I-295 interchange with the North-South Freeway is a whole different project with the complex elevated ramps.

[TXtoNJ]

The actual price, I would expect, would be well over $1 billion; approaching $2 billion.  It's costing NJDOT $150 million just to build a 1 mile, half-elevated ramp between 295 and 42.  The only thing going for the area is land prices are relatively cheaper.

No, it wouldn't cost $100 million per mile, probably not even $50 million.  The I-295 interchange with the North-South Freeway is a whole different project with the complex elevated ramps.

Given that the entire route would likely be elevated causeway in order to forestall the environmental impacts, and that there are 20 miles to build, $1 billion doesn't seem all that out of line.

[Beltway]

It wouldn't cost $100 million per mile, probably not even $50 million.  The I-295 interchange with the North-South Freeway is a whole different project with the complex elevated ramps.

Given that the entire route would likely be elevated causeway in order to forestall the environmental impacts, and that there are 20 miles to build, $1 billion doesn't seem all that out of line.

I reviewed the likely route on Google Maps Satellite View.  I would predict 4 bridges in the 1,000 to 1,500 foot long range to pass over wetlands, and maybe a total of 3 miles of raised embankment.  Some of the more difficult areas could be avoided.

[BrianP]

I agree Scott.  The route would mostly traverse forest land and not wet land.  I think the route would mostly be a bit north of the current route.  I think they could reuse/upgrade most of NJ 347.  The trickiest part I think would actually be getting that last few miles to reach the GSP.  This might not even be built as a freeway.  I could see a local four lane highway being built like US 322 north of there to minimize the ROW:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.4717145,-74.6996293,3a,60y,291.93h,80.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soxzglMS71TGLTynhX6oqqg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Of course a full height jersey barrier would be used instead of that speed bump. 

I also found this report:
South JerSey tranSportation planning organization
NJ 55/47/347 PurPose aNd Need statemeNt FiNal rePort
april 2017(Love copy/pasting from PDFs)

[jeffandnicole]

From what I've seen - Most building estimates are hugely underestimated by most people. Simply look thru NJDOT's pages for construction projects.  A simply intersection modification can cost several million. 

The actual price, I would expect, would be well over $1 billion; approaching $2 billion.  It's costing NJDOT $150 million just to build a 1 mile, half-elevated ramp between 295 and 42.  The only thing going for the area is land prices are relatively cheaper.

No, it wouldn't cost $100 million per mile, probably not even $50 million.  The I-295 interchange with the North-South Freeway is a whole different project with the complex elevated ramps.

I wasn't referring to that project.  I was referring to the 295-42 Missing Moves ramps.

Another seemingly easy project: The missing moves between 295 and NJ 38.  That one is about $121 million, all in.  And they're relatively simple ramps.

I agree Scott.  The route would mostly traverse forest land and not wet land.  I think the route would mostly be a bit north of the current route.  I think they could reuse/upgrade most of NJ 347.  The trickiest part I think would actually be getting that last few miles to reach the GSP.  This might not even be built as a freeway.  I could see a local four lane highway being built like US 322 north of there to minimize the ROW:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.4717145,-74.6996293,3a,60y,291.93h,80.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soxzglMS71TGLTynhX6oqqg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Of course a full height jersey barrier would be used instead of that speed bump. 

I also found this report:
South JerSey tranSportation planning organization
NJ 55/47/347 PurPose aNd Need statemeNt FiNal rePort
april 2017(Love copy/pasting from PDFs)

The long-proposed route doesn't go along NJ 347.  It cuts more west-east, and hits the GSP in the Stone Harbor/Avalon area. 

There's also a large state park in the area that people have long-opposed the highway going through.

[Beltway]

From what I've seen - Most building estimates are hugely underestimated by most people. Simply look thru NJDOT's pages for construction projects.  A simply intersection modification can cost several million. 

I base my estimates on what I see modeled in current STIPs, and in the case of rural freeways about $25 to $40 million per mile, and up to about $50 million if there is substantial bridgework.

In the case of NJ-55 it would obviously help to see a current preliminary design by NJDOT if one exists.

No, it wouldn't cost $100 million per mile, probably not even $50 million.  The I-295 interchange with the North-South Freeway is a whole different project with the complex elevated ramps.

I wasn't referring to that project.  I was referring to the 295-42 Missing Moves ramps.

That is the project that I am referring to.

Another seemingly easy project: The missing moves between 295 and NJ 38.  That one is about $121 million, all in.  And they're relatively simple ramps.

I would need to know what all they are planning to do there.  That office building and property alone could cost $40-50 million to acquire if they want to build a ramp and loop that meets modern standards.  Given the age and condition of the NJ-38 bridges over I-295 and the Turnpike, are their replacements part of this project?

[The Ghostbuster]

I think New Jersey is just as likely to build new roads, and extend existing ones as Connecticut. As in: NOT IN A MILLION YEARS!

[BrianP]

I think New Jersey is just as likely to build new roads, and extend existing ones as Connecticut. As in: NOT IN A MILLION YEARS!

Yes the no build option is still the favorite.  So far from what I saw in that report that has included adding a couple of left turn lanes at intersections.  And improving both ends of NJ 347 seems likely, especially the east end.  That may mean adding lanes through the intersections.  But what fun is that? (We're skirting at the edge of fictional because at least it's brought up from time to time in the news)

[Don'tKnowYet]

The analogy of clockwork every two years made me chuckle.  When we study it again looking for Federal funding, someone please emphasize that it is essential for the purposes of coastal evacuation. That may get the meter to every so slightly tick closer towards yes.

[Don'tKnowYet]

And another thing... If they are going to build/widen it to a four-lane section, don't bother.

[Beltway]

And another thing... If they are going to build/widen it to a four-lane section, don't bother.

Requirements thruout:  4 lanes, new location, freeway standards.

[J Route Z]

You thread title should read, "NJ 55 extension brought up by US Senatorial Candidate" 

Bob Hugin is not currently serving in any political capacity/office.

Done and done.

[jeffandnicole]

From what I've seen - Most building estimates are hugely underestimated by most people. Simply look thru NJDOT's pages for construction projects.  A simply intersection modification can cost several million. 

I base my estimates on what I see modeled in current STIPs, and in the case of rural freeways about $25 to $40 million per mile, and up to about $50 million if there is substantial bridgework.

Which, at about 20 miles, puts this project in the ballpark of $1 Billion.  Also, in addition to the bridges over wetlands, there are several bridges over local roads.  A few interchanges would be built, along with the mega interchange at the GSP.  Exit 21 of Rt. 55 could service NJ 47 in that area, although ramps to and from Rt. 55 south would need to be built to complete the interchange.

In the case of NJ-55 it would obviously help to see a current preliminary design by NJDOT if one exists.

There's no current preliminary design.  The last time NJDOT looked into this appears to be in the early 1990's, and it was so quickly eliminated that no cost estimate was ever developed or disclosed.

The analogy of clockwork every two years made me chuckle.  When we study it again looking for Federal funding, someone please emphasize that it is essential for the purposes of coastal evacuation. That may get the meter to every so slightly tick closer towards yes.

That's been brought up every time.   However, NJDOT has never actually looked at this project for decades, so they're also not seeking federal funding.  They are, ever so slowly, looking at making improvements to the existing network, and most of that is along the lines of better traffic lights, cameras and VMS signs without adding new capacity.[/quote]

[jeffandnicole]

Now here's some fun reading, which gets you a lot of detail to where we are today:

Here's a recent study NJDOT had commissioned regarding NJ 55, 47 & 347 in 2017: https://www.sjtpo.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Final_NJ_55-47-347_Purpose__Need_Statement_Summary_Report_4-3-17.pdf .  Early in the report, it notes back in the early 1990's a full-fledged Route 55 was reviewed, and, as noted on PDF Page 6, "Following the issuance of the Route 55 Freeway Extension Feasibility Study, the State determined that a freeway extension would not be feasible due to existing environmental constraints along the route." 

No cost estimate was provided.  Again, this story was published in 1994.  Things are even more strict today.

There's also https://capemaycountynj.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3204/Route-55-Freeway-Extension-Feasibility-Study-Gannet-Fleming-Inc-1993 . This appears to be the actual report cited above.  PDF Page 9 shows a possible route of Rt. 55 (Marked Rt. 55E).  Route 670 is mentioned several times; I believe that is now current day NJ 347 (also referred to as Alt 47 in some diagrams).

This is kinda significant:  On PDF Page 38: "The Route 55 Freeway Extension alternative provides an additional four lanes of capacity in the corridor which results in an exceptional level of service; however, it would be largely underutilized, even on a summer weekend". 

Ouch.

[Beltway]

I base my estimates on what I see modeled in current STIPs, and in the case of rural freeways about $25 to $40 million per mile, and up to about $50 million if there is substantial bridgework.

Which, at about 20 miles, puts this project in the ballpark of $1 Billion.  Also, in addition to the bridges over wetlands, there are several bridges over local roads.  A few interchanges would be built, along with the mega interchange at the GSP.  Exit 21 of Rt. 55 could service NJ 47 in that area, although ramps to and from Rt. 55 south would need to be built to complete the interchange.

For a 20 mile long rural freeway the bridgework on the balance would be fairly routine.  Yes some wetlands bridges but no river crossing bridges.

So that would be in the $500 to $800 million range.

[jeffandnicole]

I base my estimates on what I see modeled in current STIPs, and in the case of rural freeways about $25 to $40 million per mile, and up to about $50 million if there is substantial bridgework.

Which, at about 20 miles, puts this project in the ballpark of $1 Billion.  Also, in addition to the bridges over wetlands, there are several bridges over local roads.  A few interchanges would be built, along with the mega interchange at the GSP.  Exit 21 of Rt. 55 could service NJ 47 in that area, although ramps to and from Rt. 55 south would need to be built to complete the interchange.

For a 20 mile long rural freeway the bridgework on the balance would be fairly routine.  Yes some wetlands bridges but no river crossing bridges.

So that would be in the $500 to $800 million range.

Virginia prices or New Jersey prices?

Remember, we have laws up here that state regardless if it's a union job or not, all workers must be paid union wages.  That immediately drives up the price of all projects in this state.

[Beltway]

This is kinda significant:  On PDF Page 38: "The Route 55 Freeway Extension alternative provides an additional four lanes of capacity in the corridor which results in an exceptional level of service; however, it would be largely underutilized, even on a summer weekend". 
Ouch.

Errmm... that traffic projection was 25 years ago.  VMT steadily increases and even when in small percentages it really adds up after that many years.

In 1993 the use of bridging over wetlands hadn't really come into vogue yet, so I would question the use of environmental analysis from back then when the standard practice was to utilize earthen fill across wetlands.

[Beltway]

For a 20 mile long rural freeway the bridgework on the balance would be fairly routine.  Yes some wetlands bridges but no river crossing bridges.  So that would be in the $500 to $800 million range.

Virginia prices or New Jersey prices?
Remember, we have laws up here that state regardless if it's a union job or not, all workers must be paid union wages.  That immediately drives up the price of all projects in this state.

Here it would more trend toward the $25 million level.  The $40 to $50 million per mile would include things such as places with high construction costs.

But unless NJDOT conducts a location/EIS study currently including cost estimates, it is still speculation.

[Alps]

This is kinda significant:  On PDF Page 38: "The Route 55 Freeway Extension alternative provides an additional four lanes of capacity in the corridor which results in an exceptional level of service; however, it would be largely underutilized, even on a summer weekend". 
Ouch.

Errmm... that traffic projection was 25 years ago.  VMT steadily increases and even when in small percentages it really adds up after that many years.

In 1993 the use of bridging over wetlands hadn't really come into vogue yet, so I would question the use of environmental analysis from back then when the standard practice was to utilize earthen fill across wetlands.

I would say the bridging was well into vogue by then, but I completely agree with VMT conclusions.