AARoads Forum

You know how because I-95 has a gap in its route, many people along the east coast get off 95 for a bit by using the Delaware Memorial Bridge and continuing onto the NJ Turnpike from there.  But, very soon 95 will become continuous finally by building an interchange at the PA Turnpike where 95 will cross over the Turnpike Bridge and then meet up with the NJ Turnpike.  What I would like to know is this.  For those of you who use the Delaware Memorial Bridge frequently when traveling from Baltimore/Washington and points south to New York and points north or vice versa, when the interchange is complete, do you plan to continue using the Del. Mem. Bridge or stay on 95 and drive through Philly.  Each route will have its own pros and cons. 

I've created a poll on this question.

Depends on whether I'm hungry. Cheesesteaks decide the issue.

Depends on traffic... But NJTP will generally move faster than driving through Center City Philadelphia.. Less miles as well.. So the non-roadgeek, GPS dependent masses will go wherever GPS tells them

Seeing that the Del. Mem. Br. route is unanimously winning, here's something I would like to point out.  Most people driving along the east coast, when they get to the Balt/Wash area, they tend to stay on 95 even though using 895 and 295 provides less mileage, and GPS's generally encourage people to use those routes, and also 95 runs closer to downtown Baltimore.  So, if people generally stay on 95 in the Balt/Wash area despite it being more miles and more busier, why wouldn't they do the exact same thing in the Philly area once the interchange is complete and 95 becomes continuous.  Like what's the difference between staying on 95 in the Balt/Wash area and staying on 95 in the Philly area (when it becomes continuous), when in both of these locations, staying on that route would take more time.

Really depends on if I want to stop in Philly.  If I'm going to Delaware and points south, I'll use I-295 south of Bordentown, but I usually avoid the Turnpike altogether (I got stuck in a 2 hour jam on the Turnpike once between New Brunswick and 195 and I swore "never again") by taking the Parkway down to Iselin, then NJ 27 to CR 529 to US 1 to US 130 to US 206 and wind through the Bordentown truck stops (good gas/bathroom/snack stop) and hop on 295 to the Delaware Bridge (Barry Bridge/95/495 if I hear the Delaware is backed up).  If I'm going to Philly, I'll stay on US 1 to I-95 (future 295) and take the Scudders Falls until tolls go up.  Once the 95/PA Turnpike interchange opens (assuming the Scudders Falls is tolled by then), I'll either stay on US 1 through Trenton or take 130 and hook up with the Turnpike Bridge.

As a sidenote, I'll also do the DE 896/DE 4/DE 279/MD 279 toll plaza go-round unless I'm in a severe hurry.

Quote from: jcn on May 15, 2016, 12:30:43 AM
Seeing that the Del. Mem. Br. route is unanimously winning, here's something I would like to point out.  Most people driving along the east coast, when they get to the Balt/Wash area, they tend to stay on 95 even though using 895 and 295 provides less mileage, and GPS's generally encourage people to use those routes, and also 95 runs closer to downtown Baltimore.  So, if people generally stay on 95 in the Balt/Wash area despite it being more miles and more busier, why wouldn't they do the exact same thing in the Philly area once the interchange is complete and 95 becomes continuous.  Like what's the difference between staying on 95 in the Balt/Wash area and staying on 95 in the Philly area (when it becomes continuous), when in both of these locations, staying on that route would take more time.

People are very slow to adapt. They follow 95 because it's a number. You'd be surprised at the number of people who have some idea that I-95 is not continuous in New Jersey. It will take them decades to realize the route connects, and the farther they are from Central Jersey, the longer it will take. Also, as long as the Turnpike is signed for NY and I-95 is signed for Philly, a lot of people will go toward NY and the way they're familiar with. Southbound is even more of a slam-dunk, since I-95 is an exit movement. I don't see a whole lot changing for long-distance patterns. Only commutes will be genuinely affected, with everyone going to Philly from the north dumping onto I-95 instead of the numerous routes currently used.

Quote from: Alps on May 15, 2016, 01:37:10 AM

Quote from: jcn on May 15, 2016, 12:30:43 AM
Seeing that the Del. Mem. Br. route is unanimously winning, here's something I would like to point out.  Most people driving along the east coast, when they get to the Balt/Wash area, they tend to stay on 95 even though using 895 and 295 provides less mileage, and GPS's generally encourage people to use those routes, and also 95 runs closer to downtown Baltimore.  So, if people generally stay on 95 in the Balt/Wash area despite it being more miles and more busier, why wouldn't they do the exact same thing in the Philly area once the interchange is complete and 95 becomes continuous.  Like what's the difference between staying on 95 in the Balt/Wash area and staying on 95 in the Philly area (when it becomes continuous), when in both of these locations, staying on that route would take more time.

People are very slow to adapt. They follow 95 because it's a number. You'd be surprised at the number of people who have some idea that I-95 is not continuous in New Jersey. It will take them decades to realize the route connects, and the farther they are from Central Jersey, the longer it will take. Also, as long as the Turnpike is signed for NY and I-95 is signed for Philly, a lot of people will go toward NY and the way they're familiar with. Southbound is even more of a slam-dunk, since I-95 is an exit movement. I don't see a whole lot changing for long-distance patterns. Only commutes will be genuinely affected, with everyone going to Philly from the north dumping onto I-95 instead of the numerous routes currently used.

I found this out because my parents trusted me as their navigator even back when I was around 10.  The TWC radar map made me think I-95 went from Philly to New York, so I convinced my parents to go through Philly (the only time being there until this past winter-I remembered seeing Lincoln Financial Field even then) and it took a few minutes to realize I-95 ended at US 1 in Trenton.  We ultimately followed US 1 back to I-95/NJTP at I-287 (from what I have concluded).  I have had a hard time living that down, as it was the only time a huge navigation error occurred on my part based on time.

Quote from: jcn on May 15, 2016, 12:30:43 AM
Seeing that the Del. Mem. Br. route is unanimously winning,

It still is as of this post.  I voted for the DMB.  Whether I'll get on 295 in NJ will depend on my finances and who's driving.  If I were on my own, I'd probably go up 95 at least once out of curiosity.  Maybe even use the PA 413/U.S. 13 combo for old times sake.  I've never been on the PA Tpk. east of U.S. 1 or the inter-turnpike connector (and that includes the bridge.)

ixnay

Quote from: jcn on May 15, 2016, 12:30:43 AM
Seeing that the Del. Mem. Br. route is unanimously winning, here's something I would like to point out.  Most people driving along the east coast, when they get to the Balt/Wash area, they tend to stay on 95 even though using 895 and 295 provides less mileage, and GPS's generally encourage people to use those routes, and also 95 runs closer to downtown Baltimore.  So, if people generally stay on 95 in the Balt/Wash area despite it being more miles and more busier, why wouldn't they do the exact same thing in the Philly area once the interchange is complete and 95 becomes continuous.  Like what's the difference between staying on 95 in the Balt/Wash area and staying on 95 in the Philly area (when it becomes continuous), when in both of these locations, staying on that route would take more time.

Because you're not asking the right sample group.  There's a few hundred 'roadgeeks' in the country.  There's tens of thousands of people traveling this corridor on a daily basis.  You're asking what we would do compared to what everyone in the world would do.  I can guarantee you that there'll be many people on here taking the signed 95 route to check out the new interchange.  But if we were to do a straight, non-geeking trip from NYC to Baltimore, the NJ Turnpike would be the way to go.

There's going to be 3 groups of people soon: Those following their GPSs, those following the signage for 95, and those that will go the way they have gone for many years.

I doubt the signage for 95 will change at the Delaware split, so if anyone is following those signs, they'd be doing so now as well, wondering how to get to NYC. Southbound I can see some confusion from this group.

Quote from: jp the roadgeek on May 15, 2016, 12:46:46 AM
I usually avoid the Turnpike altogether (I got stuck in a 2 hour jam on the Turnpike once between New Brunswick and 195 and I swore "never again")

no need to punsh yourself like this in the future; with the completion of the Turnpike widening project between exits 6 and 9, the hellish jams at the car/truck lanes merge at 8A are a thing of the past.

on-topic: if i were going from NY to points south of DE or vice-versa, there would be absolutely no reason to stay on 95 unless there's a major issue on on 295 in DE, the Del Mem Br, or the Turnpike south of 6... unless cheesesteaks. (note: cheese fries in a cup + fry fork (the standard method of delivery in Philly) = fantastic car food.)

that being said, i live along current-95/future-295, and it will remain the only practical option for me to reach points south on the west side of the Delaware.

I think one question is:  will the northbound signage at the 95/295 split in DE change when the 95-PA Turnpike link is done?  If not, then I think those who pay attention to signage won't change.

As far as GPS...I can't imagine that the new connections would be faster or shorter distance vs current, compared to using the southern part of the NJ Turnpike, so I can't think GPS directions would change.

I tried the 195 to 295 to 95 method once, the detouring and Philly area's traffic was not worth the money I saved by not taking the Turnpike all the way to the end and taking the Delaware Memorial Bridge

I'd probably continue to use the Turnpike/Delaware Memorial Bridge to Southern Delaware. Its faster, less traffic, theres places on the side of the road you can get food from or go pee if you need to. (the service plazas)

Quote from: mariethefoxy on May 15, 2016, 02:27:15 PM
I tried the 195 to 295 to 95 method once, the detouring and Philly area's traffic was not worth the money I saved by not taking the Turnpike all the way to the end and taking the Delaware Memorial Bridge

I'd probably continue to use the Turnpike/Delaware Memorial Bridge to Southern Delaware. Its faster, less traffic, theres places on the side of the road you can get food from or go pee if you need to. (the service plazas)

If you're looking to save money and stay in NJ you can go with 295 and get on the Turnpike at exit 3 (NJ 168), 4 (NJ 73), or 6A (US 130)

Quote from: jemacedo9 on May 15, 2016, 02:18:36 PM
I think one question is:  will the northbound signage at the 95/295 split in DE change when the 95-PA Turnpike link is done?  If not, then I think those who pay attention to signage won't change.

As far as GPS...I can't imagine that the new connections would be faster or shorter distance vs current, compared to using the southern part of the NJ Turnpike, so I can't think GPS directions would change.

I don't think so. The signage is correct as is in its current form.

Quote from: bzakharin on May 15, 2016, 03:11:54 PM

Quote from: mariethefoxy on May 15, 2016, 02:27:15 PM
I tried the 195 to 295 to 95 method once, the detouring and Philly area's traffic was not worth the money I saved by not taking the Turnpike all the way to the end and taking the Delaware Memorial Bridge

I'd probably continue to use the Turnpike/Delaware Memorial Bridge to Southern Delaware. Its faster, less traffic, theres places on the side of the road you can get food from or go pee if you need to. (the service plazas)

If you're looking to save money and stay in NJ you can go with 295 and get on the Turnpike at exit 3 (NJ 168), 4 (NJ 73), or 6A (US 130)

Not 6A. The savings is very little because they're essentially charging you for use of the Turnpike Connector bridge.  Use exit 7 to 295 South, as well as 4 and 3. 7A and 5 work also, although not as convenient.

The people "following the signs" will almost certainly keep keep taking the Turnpike because that's what they've always done.  If they made the trip before, they probably aren't looking closely at signs anyways.

Plus the signs won't change much.  PA might have interest in a "please don't bypass out state any more, we finally built the interchange" sign, but I guarantee you DE and NJ don't, and NJ's patch on the exit 6 sign keeps falling off anyways.

There is also no way in hell that GPS will route people through Philly.

After that, you basically have just roadgeeks...

As much as I hate mainlines being signed as exits, the NJTP has a financial interest in keeping people on its road. So just like the numerous other cases of interstates leaving a toll system, the NJTP will try to keep the changes to a minimum, simply adding shields to the Exit 6 sign. They will want the newfound continuity of I-95 to be as low-key as possible.

Not to mention, if you are heading south, staying on the NJ Turnpike to Exit 1 is cheaper than taking Exit 6 plus paying the PA Turnpike barrier toll.

Quote from: NJRoadfan on May 15, 2016, 07:40:59 PM
Not to mention, if you are heading south, staying on the NJ Turnpike to Exit 1 is cheaper than taking Exit 6 plus paying the PA Turnpike barrier toll.

Not once you pay in Delaware...

Quote from: jwolfer on May 14, 2016, 11:13:04 PM
Depends on traffic... But NJTP will generally move faster than driving through Center City Philadelphia.. Less miles as well.. So the non-roadgeek, GPS dependent masses will go wherever GPS tells them

There's also the matter of (my anticipated) severe congestion on far eastern end of the Pennsylvania Turnpike - from the new I-95 interchange across the Turnpike Bridge over the Delaware River onto the Pennsylvania extension of the New Jersey Turnpike - all of which is two lanes each way between the I-95 interchange on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the New Jersey end of the bridge (once safely into New Jersey the road is three lanes each way).

Until the Turnpike Bridge is twinned (not expected for many years), I suspect this will be a pretty epic I-95 bottleneck.

Quote from: cpzilliacus on May 16, 2016, 12:21:01 AM

Quote from: jwolfer on May 14, 2016, 11:13:04 PM
Depends on traffic... But NJTP will generally move faster than driving through Center City Philadelphia.. Less miles as well.. So the non-roadgeek, GPS dependent masses will go wherever GPS tells them

There's also the matter of (my anticipated) severe congestion on far eastern end of the Pennsylvania Turnpike - from the new I-95 interchange across the Turnpike Bridge over the Delaware River onto the Pennsylvania extension of the New Jersey Turnpike - all of which is two lanes each way between the I-95 interchange on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the New Jersey end of the bridge (once safely into New Jersey the road is three lanes each way).

Until the Turnpike Bridge is twinned (not expected for many years), I suspect this will be a pretty epic I-95 bottleneck.

I can see this going Westbound/Southbound as people will be following the I-95 South signs.  Northbound people are quite conditioned to taking the NJ Turnpike from Delaware, so I don't think it'll be as severe.

For the most part on my travels over the Extension when on 295, there generally isn't a lot of heavy traffic.  This roadway is probably one of the lowest-volume 6 lane roadways we have in NJ.  I've seen it backed up approaching the NJ Turnpike mainline quite frequently during the 6-9 widening, but I can't recall seeing it congested since.  The 4 lane bridge will probably be adequate enough for a little while, and with the plans in place I guess they can push up the current schedule if it became a major issue.

Quote from: Alps on May 15, 2016, 09:32:35 PM

Quote from: NJRoadfan on May 15, 2016, 07:40:59 PM
Not to mention, if you are heading south, staying on the NJ Turnpike to Exit 1 is cheaper than taking Exit 6 plus paying the PA Turnpike barrier toll.

Not once you pay in Delaware...

Here's the pricing, Cash (EZ Pass (NJ Turnpike Peak/Off Peak if applicable)):

Let's say you're coming from NYC and getting on at 18E/W:

NJ Turnpike 18E/W to Exit 6: $11.80 (11.80/8.80)
PA Turnpike ORT: $6.75 (5.00)
Total Tolls: $18.55 (16.80/13.80)

NJ Turnpike 18E/W to Exit 1: $13.85 (13.85/10.40)
Del Mem Br: $4.00 (4.00)
Total Tolls: $17.85 (17.85/14.40)

For a cash toll payer using Interchange 6 rather than Interchange 1, it only saves them 70 cents.  EZ Pass Off-Peak is only a 60 cents savings.

Quote from: AMLNet49 on May 15, 2016, 07:29:20 PM
As much as I hate mainlines being signed as exits, the NJTP has a financial interest in keeping people on its road. So just like the numerous other cases of interstates leaving a toll system, the NJTP will try to keep the changes to a minimum, simply adding shields to the Exit 6 sign. They will want the newfound continuity of I-95 to be as low-key as possible.

Not quite.  If that was the case, the NJ Turnpike would never shut down its road for any reason.  There's been countless numbers of times the Turnpike closed its roadway at Exit 4 Southbound when Interchange 1 traffic backed up 10 miles or greater.  As shown above, the pricing difference is miniscule, and on a per mile basis, travelers pay quite a bit more when using Exit 6 vs. Exit 1.  It's actually cheaper for motorists going south to use Exit 5 or 4.  Even Exit 3, at current prices, is just 20 cents more, even though one's on the road 20 miles longer!

The new signage at Interchange 6 will prominently show travelers I-95 South utilizes Exit 6, and to use that to get to Philadelphia.

Quote from: AMLNet49 on May 15, 2016, 07:29:20 PM
As much as I hate mainlines being signed as exits, the NJTP has a financial interest in keeping people on its road. So just like the numerous other cases of interstates leaving a toll system, the NJTP will try to keep the changes to a minimum, simply adding shields to the Exit 6 sign. They will want the newfound continuity of I-95 to be as low-key as possible.

I have suggested this before, but you might not have seen it. 

The NJTA (and presumably NJDOT) need to say goodbye to the silly "secret" N.J. 700 designation of their Turnpike from Exits 1 to 6, and sign it as an X95. 

My preference would be for I-895.

As one who lives on near I-95 in PA; for many years for my return trips from New England, I would use Exit 6 (from Exit 11) off the NJ Turnpike, cross over into PA and exit off at the Delaware Valley/US 13 (Exit 358) interchange, then follow US 13 South to PA 413 North and get on I-95 in Bucks County.  The total cost of tolls was cheaper than using Exit 7A and following I-195 West to I-295 South and taking the Walt Whitman Bridge.

Not anymore; courtesy of the new $5 E-ZPass/$6 cash-by-mail west/PA-bound toll, I've since stopped using Exit 6 for my New England return trips and now have been using Exit 7A.  Had the new toll rate been set at either $3 or $4; I probably would still be using Exit 6.   

Once the I-95 connection is made, and especially if the new AET's subject to the ludicrous annual Act 44 toll increases; I probably won't be using it... at least for southbound travel.  OTOH, if I'm heading north and the DRPA bridges near Philly & connecting NJ roads are worse of a parking lot than I-95 through Northeast Philly (can happen); I may just use the new I-95 north Turnpike ramps to head to New England.

Quote from: 1995hoo on May 14, 2016, 10:27:28 PM
Depends on whether I'm hungry. Cheesesteaks decide the issue.

This is the correct answer.

Quote from: jcn on May 15, 2016, 12:30:43 AM
Seeing that the Del. Mem. Br. route is unanimously winning, here's something I would like to point out.  Most people driving along the east coast, when they get to the Balt/Wash area, they tend to stay on 95 even though using 895 and 295 provides less mileage, and GPS's generally encourage people to use those routes, and also 95 runs closer to downtown Baltimore.  So, if people generally stay on 95 in the Balt/Wash area despite it being more miles and more busier, why wouldn't they do the exact same thing in the Philly area once the interchange is complete and 95 becomes continuous.  Like what's the difference between staying on 95 in the Balt/Wash area and staying on 95 in the Philly area (when it becomes continuous), when in both of these locations, staying on that route would take more time.

295 and 895 require that you leave the main road, and have lower speed limits which their mileage savings don't really compensate for.  295 through DC is also a traffic bottleneck which is best avoided by non-local traffic.

People will take the Turnpike rather than 95 through Philly for the SAME reasons they take 95 around DC and Baltimore.

Quote from: jeffandnicole on May 16, 2016, 08:31:31 AM
Here's the pricing, Cash (EZ Pass (NJ Turnpike Peak/Off Peak if applicable)):

Let's say you're coming from NYC and getting on at 18E/W:

NJ Turnpike 18E/W to Exit 6: $11.80 (11.80/8.80)
PA Turnpike ORT: $6.75 (5.00)
Total Tolls: $18.55 (16.80/13.80)

NJ Turnpike 18E/W to Exit 1: $13.85 (13.85/10.40)
Del Mem Br: $4.00 (4.00)
Total Tolls: $17.85 (17.85/14.40)

For a cash toll payer using Interchange 6 rather than Interchange 1, it only saves them 70 cents.  EZ Pass Off-Peak is only a 60 cents savings.

Actually, paying cash, it's (only) 70 cents cheaper to take the whole NJTP than to go via exit 6.

Northbound, however, you save $2.05 by going through Philadelphia.

Despite this, I'm thinking traffic patterns won't actually change all that much with the exception of traffic between NY and Philly.  People who currently take the Turnpike to bypass Philly will continue to do so.  This will result in some traffic increase on the Turnpike connector as it's diverted away from the DRPA bridges, but I don't think we're going to see the mass migration of east coast motorists some are predicting.

Quote from: MrDisco99 on May 16, 2016, 03:50:44 PM
Actually, paying cash, it's (only) 70 cents cheaper to take the whole NJTP than to go via exit 6.

Northbound, however, you save $2.05 by going through Philadelphia.

You had the first part backwards...it's only 70 cents cheaper to take Exit 6 than the entire NJTP.

You're right going Northbound there is a slight bit more difference.  Or, motorists can save even more by taking the parallel 295, which for the past 50 years they haven't done, so they're not going to start anytime soon!

Quote from: jeffandnicole on May 16, 2016, 10:22:17 PM

Quote from: MrDisco99 on May 16, 2016, 03:50:44 PM
Actually, paying cash, it's (only) 70 cents cheaper to take the whole NJTP than to go via exit 6.

Northbound, however, you save $2.05 by going through Philadelphia.

You had the first part backwards...it's only 70 cents cheaper to take Exit 6 than the entire NJTP.

You're right going Northbound there is a slight bit more difference.  Or, motorists can save even more by taking the parallel 295, which for the past 50 years they haven't done, so they're not going to start anytime soon!

My dad is so cheap growing up we never took the Turnpike.. On the way to Florida from Pt Pleasant Beach we took Route 70 to 295, until 195 was completed.

Going to Newark airport he would sometimes take Route 34 to 1/9. Instead of the GSP.

Quote from: jwolfer on May 16, 2016, 11:54:14 PM
Going to Newark airport he would sometimes take Route 34 to 1/9. Instead of the GSP.

Why not hop on the Parkway in Perth Amboy and exit at 22?

Quote from: NE2 on May 16, 2016, 11:59:21 PM

Quote from: jwolfer on May 16, 2016, 11:54:14 PM
Going to Newark airport he would sometimes take Route 34 to 1/9. Instead of the GSP.

Why not hop on the Parkway in Perth Amboy and exit at 22?

That would have worked too.. My dad is a creature of habit.. He always went 1&9

Quote from: jeffandnicole on May 16, 2016, 10:22:17 PMOr, motorists can save even more by taking the parallel 295, which for the past 50 years they haven't done, so they're not going to start anytime soon!

50 years???? 

Most of I-295, particularly the stretches north of I-76/NJ 42, was built from the 70s through the 90s with the final piece between Exits 57 and 60 (I-195/NJ 29) completed circa 1994.

Quote from: jwolfer on May 16, 2016, 11:54:14 PM
My dad is so cheap growing up we never took the Turnpike.. On the way to Florida from Pt Pleasant Beach we took Route 70 to 295, until 195 was completed.

We always stayed off the Turnpike unless absolutely necessary as well (and I still use 70 over 195 most of the time).  Every time I decided to give the Turnpike from 195 or 73 down to the Delaware Memorial another chance, I always get stuck in some jam (even after the new Express EZ-Pass went in).  I stick with 295 just to have an escape route.

Quote from: Roadrunner75 on May 17, 2016, 07:48:44 PM

Quote from: jwolfer on May 16, 2016, 11:54:14 PM
My dad is so cheap growing up we never took the Turnpike.. On the way to Florida from Pt Pleasant Beach we took Route 70 to 295, until 195 was completed.

We always stayed off the Turnpike unless absolutely necessary as well (and I still use 70 over 195 most of the time).  Every time I decided to give the Turnpike from 195 or 73 down to the Delaware Memorial another chance, I always get stuck in some jam (even after the new Express EZ-Pass went in).  I stick with 295 just to have an escape route.

The turnpike exits are so far apart there is less escape routes. 

I notice that around holidays like thanksgiving it's better to take us17 instead of i95 in Georgia many times

Quote from: PHLBOS on May 17, 2016, 09:08:27 AM

Quote from: jeffandnicole on May 16, 2016, 10:22:17 PMOr, motorists can save even more by taking the parallel 295, which for the past 50 years they haven't done, so they're not going to start anytime soon!

50 years???? 

Most of I-295, particularly the stretches north of I-76/NJ 42, was built from the 70s through the 90s with the final piece between Exits 57 and 60 (I-195/NJ 29) completed circa 1994.

I-295 between the Delaware Memorial Bridge and NJ 38 was fully built no later than 1968.  By the early 1970's, 295 was completed to US 130 in Bordentown, which completes the parallel portion.  (So over 40 years, although a good portion was 50 years old or older) Sections east and north of Trenton were completed in the early 80's, but they wouldn't be relevant to bypassing the NJ Turnpike.  The small 3 mile portion between 130 and 195 was completed in 1994, but for anyone bypassing the Turnpike, they could take Exit 56 in the early 70's to Interchange 7, or take 130 to 195 to use Interchange 7A.

It can be compared to I-95's completion, which didn't occur until the 1980's anyway in PA.  Travelers were quite used to getting on and off Interstate routes and using parallel US routes.  In fact, even ignoring the whole Somerset freeway portion of 95, 295 was mainly completed before 95 thru the city which it was supposed to bypass.

I was always surprised people from where I grew up on the Jersey shore used the Turnpike instead of 295 when driving South.

When I was real young 195 ended at exit 21(CR 527) so it made more sense to take route 70 straight shot to 295.

Oh and the overlap with 130 was not interstednits 295 then

Quote from: jeffandnicole on May 17, 2016, 10:31:08 PM

It's worth noting that due to the high amount of traffic (plus some truck stops along US 206) using Exit 56 (I-295)/Exit 7(NJ Turnpike); Interchange 7 had to be expanded during the late 80s/early 90s.  One has to wonder had I-295 from the south been built to I-195 earlier than it was; would such an expansion been needed?

While those heading north from the Delaware Valley/Philly area used I-295, even during the time it was still fragmented; those coming from the north (and unfamiliar with the area) likely exited the NJ Turnpike further south at either Exit 4 (NJ 73) or 3 (NJ 168) if their destination was indeed South Jersey or Greater Philly.  NJTA's deliberate act of not erecting any signs directing motorists to I-295 (until after one cleared the toll plazas) didn't do southbound motorists any favors either.

Exit 7 still has a ton of truck traffic even after I-195 was built. They even built a new connector roadway and widened Rising Sun Rd. around 2003 or so.

Quote from: NJRoadfan on May 18, 2016, 04:30:41 PM
Exit 7 still has a ton of truck traffic even after I-195 was built. They even built a new connector roadway and widened Rising Sun Rd. around 2003 or so.

I mentioned such briefly before... much of that likely has to do with the various truck stops & services that have popped up in that area since the 80s.  Had the I-195/295 interchange been built in the 70s; would those services near Exit 7 even come to fruition?

Area circa 1971 (http://historicaerials.com?layer=1971&zoom=16&lat=40.12125537982377&lon=-74.71059322357178%20via%20@historicaerials)

Area circa 1995 (http://historicaerials.com?layer=1995&zoom=16&lat=40.12125537982377&lon=-74.71059322357178%20via%20@historicaerials)

Area circa 2013 (latest available) (http://historicaerials.com?layer=2013&zoom=16&lat=40.12125537982377&lon=-74.71059322357178%20via%20@historicaerials)

Quote from: jeffandnicole on May 17, 2016, 10:31:08 PM
I-295 between the Delaware Memorial Bridge and NJ 38 was fully built no later than 1968.  By the early 1970's, 295 was completed to US 130 in Bordentown, which completes the parallel portion.  (So over 40 years, although a good portion was 50 years old or older) Sections east and north of Trenton were completed in the early 80's, but they wouldn't be relevant to bypassing the NJ Turnpike.  The small 3 mile portion between 130 and 195 was completed in 1994, but for anyone bypassing the Turnpike, they could take Exit 56 in the early 70's to Interchange 7, or take 130 to 195 to use Interchange 7A.

Do you recall the short freeway gap in 295 in West Deptford that lasted until maybe the mid 80s?  From the Hessian Ave. overpass (just south of exit 23) to just north of exit 21 there were driveways and if I recall correctly unnumbered ramps off to Route 44 SB and to Crown Point Road NB on each side of the Woodbury Creek (before they later reconstructed the bridge and constructed the service roads).

Quote from: Roadrunner75 on May 19, 2016, 01:35:10 AM

Quote from: jeffandnicole on May 17, 2016, 10:31:08 PM
I-295 between the Delaware Memorial Bridge and NJ 38 was fully built no later than 1968.  By the early 1970's, 295 was completed to US 130 in Bordentown, which completes the parallel portion.  (So over 40 years, although a good portion was 50 years old or older) Sections east and north of Trenton were completed in the early 80's, but they wouldn't be relevant to bypassing the NJ Turnpike.  The small 3 mile portion between 130 and 195 was completed in 1994, but for anyone bypassing the Turnpike, they could take Exit 56 in the early 70's to Interchange 7, or take 130 to 195 to use Interchange 7A.

Do you recall the short freeway gap in 295 in West Deptford that lasted until maybe the mid 80s?  From the Hessian Ave. overpass (just south of exit 23) to just north of exit 21 there were driveways and if I recall correctly unnumbered ramps off to Route 44 SB and to Crown Point Road NB on each side of the Woodbury Creek (before they later reconstructed the bridge and constructed the service roads).

Yep - remember it very well.  The issue was that it was originally US 130, and was co-designated as I-295.  The entrances and driveways remained though for a while after the I-designation.  The companies were pissed that they were losing their direct access to the highway!

It's one of the few stretches of highways where you'll find something resembling frontage roads in NJ.

Quote from: jeffandnicole on May 19, 2016, 08:32:18 AM
It's one of the few stretches of highways where you'll find something resembling frontage roads in NJ.

Really?
I-280 https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7684239,-74.226773,17z
GS Parkway https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7860377,-74.1987107,16z
NJ 495 https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7704356,-74.03033,17z
NJ 24 https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7333955,-74.3468658,16z
NJ 18 https://www.google.com/maps/@40.4924944,-74.4376949,17z

Quote from: bzakharin on May 19, 2016, 09:35:06 AM

Quote from: jeffandnicole on May 19, 2016, 08:32:18 AM
It's one of the few stretches of highways where you'll find something resembling frontage roads in NJ.

Really?
I-280 https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7684239,-74.226773,17z
GS Parkway https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7860377,-74.1987107,16z
NJ 495 https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7704356,-74.03033,17z
NJ 24 https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7333955,-74.3468658,16z
NJ 18 https://www.google.com/maps/@40.4924944,-74.4376949,17z

Yep - those links shows about 10 highway miles in frontage roads in total.  Compared to other states, that's quite minimal!