There is a google street view for this ramp, but theres no exit number or anything, and just loops around to the other carriage way of the Turnpike. Is this for rescue workers? The location is in Linden, NJ, and here are the coordinates: 40.6111703,-74.223646
This thing? (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.6117107,-74.2254851,17.75z?entry=ttu) Turnaround for authorized vehicles, including service vehicles, emergency responders, and law enforcement. There are a fair number of those up and down the Turnpike (examples here (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.5694406,-74.2555677,17.46z?entry=ttu) and here (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.3724124,-74.4631841,17.96z?entry=ttu), among others).
I'm certain that this is unique to the NJTP, as other limited-access highways have at-grade U-turns serving the same purpose.
Just so you know, you're completely free to link Google Maps pages (both maps themselves and Street View imagery) directly to your posts here.
Quote from: Henry on June 20, 2024, 03:34:22 PMI'm certain that this is unique to the NJTP, as other limited-access highways have at-grade U-turns serving the same purpose.
I'd guess the reason is because of the problem of how to make a U-turn between the "outer roadways" in the quad-carriageway section. Out of curiosity, I just dragged Google Maps through the southern part of the Turnpike (south of Exit 6), and the only two "restricted-access" overpasses I found were one that accesses Turnpike Authority offices and another that accesses a maintenance yard. The southernmost overpass I found that exists solely to allow for turning around is immediately to the north of US-206 and south of Exit 7 (if memory serves, the current turnaround overpass at that spot is located roughly where Exit 7 used to be prior to its relocation further north, and a look at Historic Aerials confirms that recollection). The fact that I can't find any of them further south further suggests to me that it's the quadruple-carriageway design that necessitates overpasses and underpasses for service vehicles.
What might make these unique to NJ is that they have their own isolated under- and overpasses instead of using the public crossroads right next to them. There are similar turnarounds on the OH and PA turnpikes for emergency or maintenance vehicles, but they are access ramps to/from crossroads.
OH Turnpike example: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gzRq7GzEajwqLmGBA
PA Turnpike examples: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MzeQAh25PzZBk29y6, https://maps.app.goo.gl/UMCTJttDa89vaP4T8
The PA Turnpike did used to have at least one dedicated overpass just for "authorized vehicles", about a mile and a half west of the Allegheny Valley interchange. It was removed and not replaced when they reconstructed and widened the Turnpike to 6 lanes there.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iwTYz9LTeu8q2zQd9
(link should be to 2012 Streetview, as it is obviously not on the map or satellite view anymore)
The Mass Pike has something similar, except the service road goes under the highway.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ht4PwdtM3abBTwc38
Quote from: Mr_Northside on July 10, 2024, 02:00:04 PMThe PA Turnpike did used to have at least one dedicated overpass just for "authorized vehicles", about a mile and a half west of the Allegheny Valley interchange. It was removed and not replaced when they reconstructed and widened the Turnpike to 6 lanes there.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iwTYz9LTeu8q2zQd9
(link should be to 2012 Streetview, as it is obviously not on the map or satellite view anymore)
It's visible in Google Earth Historical Imagery at 40.555058°,-79.845085°.
And while the current maintenance and emergency vehicle u-turn overpasses are in the dual-dual section between Interchanges 6 & 14, the NJ Turnpike Authority will be building more of these maintenance overpasses, but this time in the single carriageway section between Interchanges 1 - 6.
Per https://www.njta.com/media/8266/minutes-bm-5-21-2024.pdf , page 10, 6 locations have been chosen:
QuoteThe New Jersey Turnpike Authority (the "Authority") is proceeding with its plans to replace theat grade U-turns along the Turnpike Mainline with grade-separate U-turns near Mileposts 6.4, 13.4, 19.0, 29.1, 43.0 and 46.1 (the "Project")...
This is in addition to 2 other maintenance crossovers previously planned, 1 being under the Turnpike around the Woodcrest PATCO Station area, and another one I believe in the Moorestown area.
One unique location on the NJTP may be found here (https://maps.app.goo.gl/RXpnP92kUEcGxbvH6). Originally, Woodbridge Ave. went under the pike. When the truck lanes were extended from Exit 10 to Exit 9 in the early '70s, the road was re-routed over the turnpike, and the old underpass was repurposed for "Official Use Only". (Speculation has it that the underpass was prone to flooding.) Note also that the SB bridge is at a skewed angle reflecting Woodbridge Avenue's original routing. The NB bridge is more parallel, suggesting that was the direction of the original widening.