New Jersey Turnpike

[jeffandnicole]

Continuing from the PA Turnpike/I-95 interchange thread...

The marshland is a big issue.  Actually, the bigger issue is Interchange 3.  The Turnpike I believe is resistant to putting 2 interchanges close together, and many hotels along 168 are there because of the Interchange.  Personally, I think they can keep Interchange 3 and using open land run a parallel road along the NJ Turnpike to get to Rt. 42, but much of that land is marshland...

I doubt exit 3 is an issue.  Otherwise, exits 6 and 7 wouldn't be where they are, nor would exits 15E and 15W, or exit 15X, or the exit to the sports complex.

The distance is closer than most realize.  The ramps from Interchange 3 and an Interchange with Rt. 42 would only be about 3/4 mile away at the most; substantially closer than the other examples provided.  Design requirements today are much different than what was built in the 50's, 60's and 70's.  Except for 6/7, the other interchanges are in 55 mph zones, due in part to the numerous interchanges in the area.  The southern 90 miles of the NJ Turnpike (south of Interchange 12) has the same number of interchanges as the northern 28 miles.

And I know the NJ Turnpike had mentioned the distance as a concern at one point, but it was so long ago I can't recall where I read that, and a quick Google search wasn't turnpike turning up anything.

[hotdogPi]

And I know the NJ Turnpike had mentioned the distance as a concern at one point, but it was so long ago I can't recall where I read that, and a quick Google search wasn't turnpike up anything.

Best slip of the fingers ever.

[jeffandnicole]

And I know the NJ Turnpike had mentioned the distance as a concern at one point, but it was so long ago I can't recall where I read that, and a quick Google search wasn't turnpike up anything.

Best slip of the fingers ever.

LOL...I went back to modify that...hoping no one read that yet! LOL

[NJRoadfan]

"Looking for America On the NJ Turnpike" makes mention of the Authority's resistance against adding exits in general since they can reduce safety. Distance between exits is actually more of a concern on NJ-42, particularly after the missing moves with I-295 are added in. Its going to be weave central once those go in. They would have to get pretty elaborate with a collector-distributor system there if the Turnpike had an interchange too.

[Mergingtraffic]

Are the Exit 6 signs with the overlays still there or are they being replaced too?

[odditude]

Are the Exit 6 signs with the overlays still there or are they being replaced too?

they are still there, as will remain all of the signs which were installed as part of the widening project.

[storm2k]

"Looking for America On the NJ Turnpike" makes mention of the Authority's resistance against adding exits in general since they can reduce safety. Distance between exits is actually more of a concern on NJ-42, particularly after the missing moves with I-295 are added in. Its going to be weave central once those go in. They would have to get pretty elaborate with a collector-distributor system there if the Turnpike had an interchange too.

It's not just that. It's also that the Authority won't do an interchange that they do their way. This is how we're going to get the Tremley Point Connector Road.

[jeffandnicole]

Someone possibly passing thru the state made their trip worthwhile...

While it wasn't a big, multi-million dollar Powerball winner, a ticket worth $50,000 for matching 4 out of 5 plus the Powerball was sold at the Kilmer Service Plaza on the NJ Turnpike for Saturday night's drawing. No one hit all 6 numbers.

http://patch.com/new-jersey/hoboken/n-j-powerball-details-winning-ticket-site-revealed-jackpot-hits-359m

[cpzilliacus]

NJ.com: More cops will soon be handing out tickets on Parkway, Turnpike

Tolls will not go up on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway next year, and the Turnpike Authority is hiring 15 more State Troopers to patrol the state's two major toll roads.

The Turnpike Authority's $1.74 billion budget also forecasts a 1 percent decrease in traffic on the Turnpike and a 1 percent increase on the Parkway in 2017, due to reopening of the Pulaski Skyway in both directions next fall.

That budget includes $1.1 million to add 15 more troopers to patrol the two toll roads, for which the authority will pay the State Police a total of $62.9 million in 2017. State Police coverage is considered a "contracted service" on the Turnpike and Parkway.

[Alps]

NJ.com: More cops will soon be handing out tickets on Parkway, Turnpike

Tolls will not go up on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway next year, and the Turnpike Authority is hiring 15 more State Troopers to patrol the state's two major toll roads.

The Turnpike Authority's $1.74 billion budget also forecasts a 1 percent decrease in traffic on the Turnpike and a 1 percent increase on the Parkway in 2017, due to reopening of the Pulaski Skyway in both directions next fall.

That budget includes $1.1 million to add 15 more troopers to patrol the two toll roads, for which the authority will pay the State Police a total of $62.9 million in 2017. State Police coverage is considered a "contracted service" on the Turnpike and Parkway.

Once the Skyway construction is done, the I-78 extension will fall under construction, so it's a swing the opposite way in terms of traffic loads. Hopefully NJDOT keeps US 1&9 Truck on its current scheme prioritizing mainline traffic, because it's not going to get any lighter.

[noelbotevera]

NJ.com: More cops will soon be handing out tickets on Parkway, Turnpike

Tolls will not go up on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway next year, and the Turnpike Authority is hiring 15 more State Troopers to patrol the state's two major toll roads.

The Turnpike Authority's $1.74 billion budget also forecasts a 1 percent decrease in traffic on the Turnpike and a 1 percent increase on the Parkway in 2017, due to reopening of the Pulaski Skyway in both directions next fall.

That budget includes $1.1 million to add 15 more troopers to patrol the two toll roads, for which the authority will pay the State Police a total of $62.9 million in 2017. State Police coverage is considered a "contracted service" on the Turnpike and Parkway.

They'll never realize that more enforcement never helps. Haven't they heard of Waze?

[jeffandnicole]

They'll never realize that more enforcement never helps. Haven't they heard of Waze?

A ticket for a burned out headlight or taillight is about the same fine and penalty as a speeding ticket.  And Waze ain't gonna fix that headlight as you approach the cop! 

[noelbotevera]

They'll never realize that more enforcement never helps. Haven't they heard of Waze?

A ticket for a burned out headlight or taillight is about the same fine and penalty as a speeding ticket.  And Waze ain't gonna fix that headlight as you approach the cop! 

noelbotevera applauds your ingenuity.

[jeffandnicole]

Waze drivers are easy to identify.  They're the ones speeding along in the left lane, then out of the blue simply slow down to the speed limit (or lower), and now they're committing another offense by failing to keep right.  Or even better...at night, the cops can see the glow of the cell phone against the driver's face.  In NJ...no hand-held cell phone use.  Thus, a driver trying to keep out of a $85 ticket is now facing themselves with a $200 ticket!

Has that ever happened...I can't say I know specifically of any instances, but when cops stop people tens of thousands of times a year, I'm sure it's happened a few times!

[SidS1045]

at night, the cops can see the glow of the cell phone against the driver's face.  In NJ...no hand-held cell phone use.  Thus, a driver trying to keep out of a $85 ticket is now facing themselves with a $200 ticket!

Ain't necessarily so.  That same glow can be caused by a cell phone mounted in a holder, affixed to the dash...IOW, not in the driver's hand.  Depending on the exact wording of the law, that may not be a violation.

[jeffandnicole]

at night, the cops can see the glow of the cell phone against the driver's face.  In NJ...no hand-held cell phone use.  Thus, a driver trying to keep out of a $85 ticket is now facing themselves with a $200 ticket!

Ain't necessarily so.  That same glow can be caused by a cell phone mounted in a holder, affixed to the dash...IOW, not in the driver's hand.  Depending on the exact wording of the law, that may not be a violation.

While technically correct, there's usually a pretty big difference. If a cop were to be behind someone, they would probably clearly see a phone on the dash. 

[PHLBOS]

Update: While returning home from a weeklong Thanksgiving visit in Massachusetts last night, I saw some of the new BGS' along the southbound Turnpike between Exits 11 through 9 are now erected; including new pull-through BGS' that had I-95 shields as well as NJTP shields.  Unlike the northbound pull-through BGS' at these interchanges (at least Exits 10 & 9); the new southbound BGS' include a listed/unmasked control city (Trenton).

[roadman65]

Update: While returning home from a weeklong Thanksgiving visit in Massachusetts last night, I saw some of the new BGS' along the southbound Turnpike between Exits 11 through 9 are now erected; including new pull-through BGS' that had I-95 shields as well as NJTP shields.  Unlike the northbound pull-through BGS' at these interchanges (at least Exits 10 & 9); the new southbound BGS' include a listed/unmasked control city (Trenton).

Which control city for I-287 is omitted?  On the at exit it originally had three going NB with SB using Metuchen and Edison Twp solely due to Perth Amboy being signed at Exit 11 already.

I am assuming that its Edison in both counts as that being the whole interchange of Exit 10 is in that community while Perth Amboy is the city going North on 440 and Metuchen going North on 287.

[PHLBOS]

Which control city for I-287 is omitted?  On the at exit it originally had three going NB with SB using Metuchen and Edison Twp solely due to Perth Amboy being signed at Exit 11 already.

I am assuming that its Edison in both counts as that being the whole interchange of Exit 10 is in that community while Perth Amboy is the city going North on 440 and Metuchen going North on 287.

Correct, Edison Twp. has now been moved to supplemental BGS'.

[roadman65]

Figures.  Although I have no problem with Edison being moved to supplemental status, I think Somerville should replace Metuchen as its more a better suited place for a regional highway at that location.

[bzakharin]

Figures.  Although I have no problem with Edison being moved to supplemental status, I think Somerville should replace Metuchen as its more a better suited place for a regional highway at that location.

Given that the two lanes that enter I-287 from the Turnpike exit at US 1 and NJ 27, it would seem Metuchen is the primary destination for those entering 287 from the Turnpike.

[storm2k]

Figures.  Although I have no problem with Edison being moved to supplemental status, I think Somerville should replace Metuchen as its more a better suited place for a regional highway at that location.

Somerville isn't really a primary destination for 287, as it only has 1 exit (for NJ-28) signed for it NB. They should use Morristown, which is what NJDOT uses (along with Mahwah) and makes more sense.

[Alps]

Figures.  Although I have no problem with Edison being moved to supplemental status, I think Somerville should replace Metuchen as its more a better suited place for a regional highway at that location.

Given that the two lanes that enter I-287 from the Turnpike exit at US 1 and NJ 27, it would seem Metuchen is the primary destination for those entering 287 from the Turnpike.

Not really. The only reason those lanes end is because they're on the right. Most of that traffic is coming from the Parkway, US 9, Perth Amboy, or Staten Island.

[KEVIN_224]

I noticed a few newer signs up on the Turnpike at Exits 9 and 11. Exit 9 now states "NEW BRUNSWICK" with US 1 and NJ 18 shields. The gore sign at the Exit 9 off ramp is brand new. Exit 11 now has both the GSP and US 9 logos on it. It looked like there were pieces of an older sign off to the left of the north.

Also just noticed the Exit 13 sign in the Elizabeth area for I-278 is brand new. The control cities say Elizabeth and Staten Island.

Separately, a couple of the VMS signs said the Bayonne Bridge was closed.

The cables are mostly up on the replacement Goethals Bridge now. Progress!

P.S. I hadn't been on the NJ Turnpike south of the Exit 13 area since January, so wasn't aware of most of these changes! 

6:25 PM UPDATE: They've updated the signs on I-95 North from the Lincoln Tunnel access in Secaucus northward to the GW Bridge.

[J Route Z]

The new signs are nice, but some of the mileage on the signs near the exits should be corrected. For instance, the sign pictured in the link below should say 'next right' or 'keep right' instead of 1/4 mile..since it is shorter than that.
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.4685575,-74.408315,16z