A Turnpike southbound to I-295 southbound/I-295 northbound to Turnpike northbound connection at Woodcrest would alleviate traffic on the Turnpike and eliminate the need for extravagant widening south of there.
South of that point on 295 already operates at an E/F, and the current 295/76/42 project will reduce, but not eliminate, congestion on certain areas of that corridor. Traffic, as it currently is, doesn't take 95 because the Turnpike is normally the quickest route...even when factoring in congestion. When given the option at the Del Mem Bridge, traffic often takes the Turnpike rather than 295 for long distance travel, even though taking 295 will save several dollars in tolls.
The widening is needed, and offering improved alternatives has shown to do little to encourage traffic to bypass the Turnpike.
I wonder if a well-designed interchange at 42 (ignoring property and environmental constraints) would be enough to alleviate congestion on the southern section. (Of course it’s not likely to happen).
It won't fully happen, but it's not totally that interchange's fault. There's "pockets" of congestion on 295 South some days: NJ 73 to NJ 70. Then speeds pick up. Some days it bogs down again from around 561 to past US 30. Anytime traffic picks up to 55 to 65 mph or above, that area's congestion is independent of the 295/76/42 interchange. Now...should we see fewer jams on that stretch from 73 to 42? Yep. And certainly congestion due to crashes in the Aljo curve will be eliminated.
Tying this in with the Turnpike: wherever there's an issue on the Turnpike south of Interchange 4, the extra traffic that does come over to 295 quickly congests 295.
On the NB side of 295, it'll be even worse. We are seeing it already where traffic bogs down between the widened area just north of 76/42 thru NJ 168 before it picks up speed (although the current lane configuration assists with this issue). There's a few areas where it congests again, around 561, and some days around 70 & 73. As this is north of the 295/76/42 interchange, the project will not affect that traffic...If anything , it'll help get more traffic to these areas quicker, aiding in the congestion.
Based on the plans, I think the 295/76/42 revamped interchange will actually be pretty decent; the only criticism I have with the plans are the 2 lane ramps merge down to one lane too soon around the gore point. Overall it will definitely help traffic. There's just too much else going on nearby and not enough capacity downstream to fully allow the interchange to meet its full potential.