New Jersey Turnpike

[Roadgeekteen]

It makes more sense to have Wilmington/Wash-Bal as the control cities then just Baltimore.

Then why isn't Wilmington used on Northbound 95 out of Baltimore?

I always figured the thinking is that the majority of the traffic on that stretch of 95 out of Baltimore is headed to the NJ/NYC area, and that's why they do that.

Don't they also use Camden on the NJ Turnpike at times?

Yes, just southbound, from 7A to 5. Camden is primary except at 6, where Wilmington is also signed.

I'm surprised Camden is a dump and right across from Philladelphia.

[PHLBOS]

Then why isn't Wilmington used on Northbound 95 out of Baltimore?

I always figured the thinking is that the majority of the traffic on that stretch of 95 out of Baltimore is headed to the NJ/NYC area, and that's why they do that.

Guess on my part, but the answers/speculations to J&N's question has, no doubt, been discussed more than once in either the Delaware or Maryland threads.

Maryland's overlooking Wilmington and even Philly on its I-95 northbound signage likely dates back to a time when both the upper section of I-95 through Wilmington & I-495 either didn't yet exist nor were fully-completed.

That said & IMHO, Wilmington should be used as a northbound I-95 control city north of Baltimore.
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We now return to our regularly-scheduled New Jersey Turnpike thread; now already in progress. 

[jeffandnicole]

It makes more sense to have Wilmington/Wash-Bal as the control cities then just Baltimore.

Then why isn't Wilmington used on Northbound 95 out of Baltimore?

I always figured the thinking is that the majority of the traffic on that stretch of 95 out of Baltimore is headed to the NJ/NYC area, and that's why they do that.

Don't they also use Camden on the NJ Turnpike at times?

Yes, just southbound, from 7A to 5. Camden is primary except at 6, where Wilmington is also signed.

I'm surprised Camden is a dump and right across from Philladelphia.

I suspect Camden is a dump *because* it's right across from Philadelphia.  Just too many cities in too close of an area.   When companies are looking at places to move and grow, Philly continually won out.  And Camden isn't even the only city on the NJ side of the river in this area.  The much less known Gloucester City which borders Camden is also fighting for employers and employees.  Go along the river north and south, and there's numerous other towns and cities that are fighting for businesses, especially in relation to jobs along the water.

[Roadgeekteen]

It makes more sense to have Wilmington/Wash-Bal as the control cities then just Baltimore.

Then why isn't Wilmington used on Northbound 95 out of Baltimore?

I always figured the thinking is that the majority of the traffic on that stretch of 95 out of Baltimore is headed to the NJ/NYC area, and that's why they do that.

Don't they also use Camden on the NJ Turnpike at times?

Yes, just southbound, from 7A to 5. Camden is primary except at 6, where Wilmington is also signed.

I'm surprised Camden is a dump and right across from Philladelphia.

I suspect Camden is a dump *because* it's right across from Philadelphia.  Just too many cities in too close of an area.   When companies are looking at places to move and grow, Philly continually won out.  And Camden isn't even the only city on the NJ side of the river in this area.  The much less known Gloucester City which borders Camden is also fighting for employers and employees.  Go along the river north and south, and there's numerous other towns and cities that are fighting for businesses, especially in relation to jobs along the water.

I'm not surprised that Camden is a dump, I'm surprised that they use it on signs.

[ixnay]

I think it's worth repeating:  Wilmington. Is. Not. The. Capital. Of. Delaware.

Never has been.  New Castle was until 1777 when Dover took over the role.

ixnay

[jeffandnicole]

It makes more sense to have Wilmington/Wash-Bal as the control cities then just Baltimore.

Then why isn't Wilmington used on Northbound 95 out of Baltimore?

I'd say it should be! States are very bad at using the next control city.

They should use Philadelphia.

And why?  The argument is that Wilmington should be used on the NJ Turnpike because it's the next major city going south (and it's not really a major city, but I digress...), even though it's not really along the route.  So, why going north from Maryland would you not use Wilmington, even though not only is it the next major city, but it's directly on the highway?

Let's say the argument is that since Philly should be used on the Turnpike Southbound to Exit 6, it wouldn't make practical sense to sign Philly going NB on the Turnpike to Exit 6 as you've already passed the city.  I would get that argument, and agree that Philly shouldn't be signed going NB.

But when Wilmington IS the next city going both North and South, why wouldn't you sign it both North and South?

And FWIW, I'd bet that if Baltimore was the control city used, and Wilmington was never signed as the control city on the Turnpike Southbound, very few people would have an issue with that, especially seeing most people appear they don't have any issue with Wilmington not being signed as the control city in Maryland on 95 North.

[Roadgeekteen]

It makes more sense to have Wilmington/Wash-Bal as the control cities then just Baltimore.

Then why isn't Wilmington used on Northbound 95 out of Baltimore?

I'd say it should be! States are very bad at using the next control city.

They should use Philadelphia.

And why?  The argument is that Wilmington should be used on the NJ Turnpike because it's the next major city going south (and it's not really a major city, but I digress...), even though it's not really along the route.  So, why going north from Maryland would you not use Wilmington, even though not only is it the next major city, but it's directly on the highway?

Let's say the argument is that since Philly should be used on the Turnpike Southbound to Exit 6, it wouldn't make practical sense to sign Philly going NB on the Turnpike to Exit 6 as you've already passed the city.  I would get that argument, and agree that Philly shouldn't be signed going NB.

But when Wilmington IS the next city going both North and South, why wouldn't you sign it both North and South?

And FWIW, I'd bet that if Baltimore was the control city used, and Wilmington was never signed as the control city on the Turnpike Southbound, very few people would have an issue with that, especially seeing most people appear they don't have any issue with Wilmington not being signed as the control city in Maryland on 95 North.

Wilmington is nearby Philly, so it would make sense to sign it on I-95 south from Philly, but signing it northbound would be like signing Anaheim on I-5 north in San Diego.

[jeffandnicole]

And why?  The argument is that Wilmington should be used on the NJ Turnpike because it's the next major city going south (and it's not really a major city, but I digress...), even though it's not really along the route.  So, why going north from Maryland would you not use Wilmington, even though not only is it the next major city, but it's directly on the highway?

Let's say the argument is that since Philly should be used on the Turnpike Southbound to Exit 6, it wouldn't make practical sense to sign Philly going NB on the Turnpike to Exit 6 as you've already passed the city.  I would get that argument, and agree that Philly shouldn't be signed going NB.

But when Wilmington IS the next city going both North and South, why wouldn't you sign it both North and South?

And FWIW, I'd bet that if Baltimore was the control city used, and Wilmington was never signed as the control city on the Turnpike Southbound, very few people would have an issue with that, especially seeing most people appear they don't have any issue with Wilmington not being signed as the control city in Maryland on 95 North.

Wilmington is nearby Philly, so it would make sense to sign it on I-95 south from Philly, but signing it northbound would be like signing Anaheim on I-5 north in San Diego.

A quick review of I-5 in LA appears that Anaheim isn't the preferred control city of I-5 South either.  Santa Ana is.  And while leaving the San Diego area Los Angeles is often the control city, as you drive further north Santa Ana becomes the control city before switching back to LA.

So, your example doesn't pan out, since Anaheim isn't the main control city in either direction of I-5, and Santa Ana, just south of LA, *IS* the control city in both directions.

[Roadgeekteen]

And why?  The argument is that Wilmington should be used on the NJ Turnpike because it's the next major city going south (and it's not really a major city, but I digress...), even though it's not really along the route.  So, why going north from Maryland would you not use Wilmington, even though not only is it the next major city, but it's directly on the highway?

Let's say the argument is that since Philly should be used on the Turnpike Southbound to Exit 6, it wouldn't make practical sense to sign Philly going NB on the Turnpike to Exit 6 as you've already passed the city.  I would get that argument, and agree that Philly shouldn't be signed going NB.

But when Wilmington IS the next city going both North and South, why wouldn't you sign it both North and South?

And FWIW, I'd bet that if Baltimore was the control city used, and Wilmington was never signed as the control city on the Turnpike Southbound, very few people would have an issue with that, especially seeing most people appear they don't have any issue with Wilmington not being signed as the control city in Maryland on 95 North.

Wilmington is nearby Philly, so it would make sense to sign it on I-95 south from Philly, but signing it northbound would be like signing Anaheim on I-5 north in San Diego.

A quick review of I-5 in LA appears that Anaheim isn't the preferred control city of I-5 South either.  Santa Ana is.  And while leaving the San Diego area Los Angeles is often the control city, as you drive further north Santa Ana becomes the control city before switching back to LA.

So, your example doesn't pan out, since Anaheim isn't the main control city in either direction of I-5, and Santa Ana, just south of LA, *IS* the control city in both directions.

Yes, I-5 in San Diego is signed as Santa Ana (I didn't know which one they used). They use LA in San Diego just like they should use Philly in Baltimore. Once you enter Delaware then using Wilmington could work.

[jeffandnicole]

...They use LA in San Diego just like they should use Philly in Baltimore. Once you enter Delaware then using Wilmington could work.

In Delaware on 95 North, any full width overhead sign structure south of DE 1 uses the "Next 3 Exit" signage or other advanded exit notice sign; no pull thru signs for 95 or control city.  At DE 1 and points north, the signs are more for the highway split at 95/295, and the 95 signs are all for Wilmington & Philadelphia. Only approaching the 95/495 split is Wilmington used singularly as a control city.

So the reality is, Delaware doesn't even use Wilmington as a sole control city.  The NJ Turnpike gives Wilmington a lot more highway recognition than Delaware does!

[Roadgeekteen]

...They use LA in San Diego just like they should use Philly in Baltimore. Once you enter Delaware then using Wilmington could work.

In Delaware on 95 North, any full width overhead sign structure south of DE 1 uses the "Next 3 Exit" signage or other advanded exit notice sign; no pull thru signs for 95 or control city.  At DE 1 and points north, the signs are more for the highway split at 95/295, and the 95 signs are all for Wilmington & Philadelphia. Only approaching the 95/495 split is Wilmington used singularly as a control city.

So the reality is, Delaware doesn't even use Wilmington as a sole control city.  The NJ Turnpike gives Wilmington a lot more highway recognition than Delaware does!

Well using Wilmington/Philadelphia is good as it has a smaller closer by city and a larger more distant one.

[MASTERNC]

Saw some interesting signage coming into NJ on the PA Turnpike Extension (I was detoured from exiting onto US 1 because of an accident, so the alternate route was via US 130).  Because of AET on the PA Turnpike, the NJTA now has a sign that says "NJ Turnpike: E-ZPass or Cash ONLY".  In addition, with the expansion to two E-ZPass Express lanes at the toll plaza, the signage now says "Toll Plaza Bypass" for E-ZPass customers.  I thought the word "bypass" was an interesting choice of wording.

[NJRoadfan]

The "Toll Plaza Bypass" language is standard for NJTA. Its used at Garden State Parkway plazas.

https://goo.gl/maps/R8Xgb8jDx6L69kha9

[roadman65]

I see there is an Exit 19W now on the western spur.

[famartin]

I see there is an Exit 19W now on the western spur.

Yes

[roadman65]

What is the brown out on the sign covering up?

[74/171FAN]

What is the brown out on the sign covering up?

GSV indicates it is an "EZPASS ONLY" banner.

[roadman65]

What is the brown out on the sign covering up?

GSV indicates it is an "EZPASS ONLY" banner.

Thought that ramp is free.

[storm2k]

What is the brown out on the sign covering up?

GSV indicates it is an "EZPASS ONLY" banner.

Thought that ramp is free.

No. Never was. The Meadowlands Sports & Expo Authority would pay the Turnpike Authority a flat rate per car for years when the ramp was used during sporting events or concerts. Now that they've redeveloped it into a ramp that's always open to allow traffic to move to and from the mall more easily, they erected an EZ-Pass gantry and charge a flat rate toll for every vehicle that exits there.

[roadman65]

Figures. 

[Alps]

What is the brown out on the sign covering up?

GSV indicates it is an "EZPASS ONLY" banner.

Thought that ramp is free.

No. Never was. The Meadowlands Sports & Expo Authority would pay the Turnpike Authority a flat rate per car for years when the ramp was used during sporting events or concerts. Now that they've redeveloped it into a ramp that's always open to allow traffic to move to and from the mall more easily, they erected an EZ-Pass gantry and charge a flat rate toll for every vehicle that exits there.

Well it was free to motorists until opened full time.

[akotchi]

If memory serves, there had been toll gantries up on the exit ramp for some time, but they were not in operation.  Not sure if they were replaced for the current use.

[Roadgeekteen]

In your opinion, what is the best scenery on the New Jersey Turnpike?

[jeffandnicole]

In your opinion, what is the best scenery on the New Jersey Turnpike?

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ySgkVPGkQnr4sw6XA

[sprjus4]

In your opinion, what is the best scenery on the New Jersey Turnpike?

I do recall some areas of the Turnpike closer to NYC where you can get a nice shot of the NYC skyline.