I-276 in New Jersey?

[Michael in Philly]

Hello all -

Last time I was on the New Jersey Turnpike (northbound), I noticed that the signage at exit 6A, which seemed fairly new, marked the Pennsylvania Turnpike connector as I-276, without a "to."  (This was a couple of weeks ago and I don't remember what else was on the sign - might just be "I-276" with "Penna Tpk" as control destination.)  Has the designation been officially extended into New Jersey now?

[akotchi]

No, and it never will be.

Do the panels that you saw have the I-276 shield toward the right of the panel?

If so . . . The signs currently display West/276/Penn Turnpike.  (The new southbound ones at the interchange are already up.)  There are green patches on the panels where other (future) elements are covered, such as I-95 South and Philadelphia.  Within that covered area is the word "to".

The I-276 designation still ends at the Pa side of the state line in the river, but this end will, in a few years, move further west when I-95 takes over the Extension and the eastern few miles of the Pa Turnpike.

[YankeesFan]

not that it matters now because of I-95 but why wasn't it designated as I-276? NJ seems like it is so anti-interstate.

[TXtoNJ]

not that it matters now because of I-95 but why wasn't it designated as I-276? NJ seems like it is so anti-interstate.

Think it was because it had no direct connection to any interstate before the addition of turnpike mileage to I-95 north of Exit 6.

[Alps]

not that it matters now because of I-95 but why wasn't it designated as I-276? NJ seems like it is so anti-interstate.

Think it was because it had no direct connection to any interstate before the addition of turnpike mileage to I-95 north of Exit 6.

Devil's advocate time: so why wasn't I-276 extended up to Exit 7A to end at I-195? It could even have ended at US 206 at Exit 7, or EVEN 130 at Exit 6A. State line makes less sense than a US or I- highway.

[qguy]

not that it matters now because of I-95 but why wasn't it designated as I-276? NJ seems like it is so anti-interstate.

Think it was because it had no direct connection to any interstate before the addition of turnpike mileage to I-95 north of Exit 6.

Devil's advocate time: so why wasn't I-276 extended up to Exit 7A to end at I-195? It could even have ended at US 206 at Exit 7, or EVEN 130 at Exit 6A. State line makes less sense than a US or I- highway.

The NJ Turnpike spur and mainline down to the spur have even been "secretly" officially designated I-95–but not signed–for some time now.

[TXtoNJ]

not that it matters now because of I-95 but why wasn't it designated as I-276? NJ seems like it is so anti-interstate.

Think it was because it had no direct connection to any interstate before the addition of turnpike mileage to I-95 north of Exit 6.

Devil's advocate time: so why wasn't I-276 extended up to Exit 7A to end at I-195? It could even have ended at US 206 at Exit 7, or EVEN 130 at Exit 6A. State line makes less sense than a US or I- highway.

Probably because I-195 was a political compromise that arose later on.

I think I discovered another reason for I-276 not extending into NJ. When originally signed, it was a bypass of I-80S, as I-76 was originally numbered. At this time, it was numbered as I-280. New Jersey already had its I-280 designated up in North Jersey, as far back as 1958. Seeing as it would have made no sense to change the designation of the highway at the state line (to something like I-680), that it had an already-recognizable designation separate from the interstate number (PA Turnpike) that could be easily used in signage, and that the highway was entirely funded by the Turnpike Authority, it makes sense that there would be no numbering.

Later on, numbering the highway to I-276 would have likely been seen as having little benefit to justify the cost of signage and getting AASHTO approval.

[Beltway]

I think I discovered another reason for I-276 not extending into NJ. When originally signed, it was a bypass of I-80S, as I-76 was originally numbered. At this time, it was numbered as I-280. New Jersey already had its I-280 designated up in North Jersey, as far back as 1958. Seeing as it would have made no sense to change the designation of the highway at the state line (to something like I-680), that it had an already-recognizable designation separate from the interstate number (PA Turnpike) that could be easily used in signage, and that the highway was entirely funded by the Turnpike Authority, it makes sense that there would be no numbering.

Later on, numbering the highway to I-276 would have likely been seen as having little benefit to justify the cost of signage and getting AASHTO approval.

If the Turnpike had been connected to I-95, it would be a moot point.  I-276 could have ended at I-95 just like I-476 does.

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

I think I discovered another reason for I-276 not extending into NJ. When originally signed, it was a bypass of I-80S, as I-76 was originally numbered. At this time, it was numbered as I-280. New Jersey already had its I-280 designated up in North Jersey, as far back as 1958. Seeing as it would have made no sense to change the designation of the highway at the state line (to something like I-680), that it had an already-recognizable designation separate from the interstate number (PA Turnpike) that could be easily used in signage, and that the highway was entirely funded by the Turnpike Authority, it makes sense that there would be no numbering.

Later on, numbering the highway to I-276 would have likely been seen as having little benefit to justify the cost of signage and getting AASHTO approval.

If the Turnpike had been connected to I-95, it would be a moot point.  I-276 could have ended at I-95 just like I-476 does.

Or if New Jersey would have connected I-276 with I-295 or US 130...

[roadman65]

Might as well extend it, cause the construction still not started yet after years of planning.  I am beginning to think that I-74 in West Virginia will be built before this simple interchange gets off the ground.

[HighwayMaster]

Here it is, for anyone who need a pic, like me (Doug's pic):



Definitely will be SOUTH I-95 TO I-276.

[swbrotha100]

Here it is, for anyone who need a pic, like me (Doug's pic):



Definitely will be SOUTH I-95 TO I-276.

I have to say I like the new signage. Hope other parts of the NJ Turnpike upgrade the signage (at least the current/future I-95 section).

[KEVIN_224]

Considering that the old and ugly green gantry that was in that area previously? It was probably there since the Turnpike opened in the 1950s! 

[roadman65]

Considering that the old and ugly green gantry that was in that area previously? It was probably there since the Turnpike opened in the 1950s! 

Actually I thought that gantry was classic and it is a shame that NJTA is removing it permanently just as the original slant roof toll plazas are being modernized or ramps relocated as in the case of Exit 8

[YankeesFan]

also like new signage...hope they do the rest of the I-95 part as an actual interstate and not with the ugly signs.

[cpzilliacus]

Considering that the old and ugly green gantry that was in that area previously? It was probably there since the Turnpike opened in the 1950s! 

Actually I thought that gantry was classic and it is a shame that NJTA is removing it permanently just as the original slant roof toll plazas are being modernized or ramps relocated as in the case of Exit 8

I did not like the sign panels that were on that gantry (they were uninformative and sooo-1950's), but I loved the gantry itself, and in a perfect world, the Turnpike Authority would have either retained that old gantry, or built a new one using the same campy style and installed new, MUTCD-compliant sign panels on it.

[roadman65]

Considering that the old and ugly green gantry that was in that area previously? It was probably there since the Turnpike opened in the 1950s! 

Actually I thought that gantry was classic and it is a shame that NJTA is removing it permanently just as the original slant roof toll plazas are being modernized or ramps relocated as in the case of Exit 8

I did not like the sign panels that were on that gantry (they were uninformative and sooo-1950's), but I loved the gantry itself, and in a perfect world, the Turnpike Authority would have either retained that old gantry, or built a new one using the same campy style and installed new, MUTCD-compliant sign panels on it.

NJDOT did so in Jersey City on WB I-78 on the viaduct leading to the Turnpike.  They copied the 1950's style gantry used at Exit 6 (and on some CA Freeways) and just erected modern sign panels.

[Michael in Philly]

Here it is, for anyone who need a pic, like me (Doug's pic):



Definitely will be SOUTH I-95 TO I-276.

Hmm.  I was going northbound, so it was a different sign.  As I said, it was a couple of weeks ago at this point so I don't remember in detail, but I don't think there was that sort of blatant empty space for something else:  just a 276 shield in a reasonable position for the only shield on a sign and (I think) "Pa Tpk" under it.  Definitely no "TO," or I wouldn't have asked the question.

[KEVIN_224]

I know that when I went through here with a friend to Wilmington, DE (as the pull-through suggests!) on June 2nd-3rd that the newer on-ramps were being used from Turnpike Extension north to I-95/New Jersey Turnpike north.

[BamaZeus]

Considering that the old and ugly green gantry that was in that area previously? It was probably there since the Turnpike opened in the 1950s! 

Actually I thought that gantry was classic and it is a shame that NJTA is removing it permanently just as the original slant roof toll plazas are being modernized or ramps relocated as in the case of Exit 8

I always liked that one as well.  I just like that original Turnpike sign style that you don't get anywhere else in the country, with those funky swerve arrows on the exit gantries, etc
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=jackson+nj&hl=en&ll=40.103565,-74.723468&spn=0.00947,0.016544&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.052282,67.763672&t=h&hnear=Jackson,+Ocean,+New+Jersey&z=16&layer=c&cbll=40.10407,-74.722962&panoid=Ms7Es29hRoC9O8SBmkNEKQ&cbp=12,229.14,,0,7.35

[Alps]

Considering that the old and ugly green gantry that was in that area previously? It was probably there since the Turnpike opened in the 1950s! 

Actually I thought that gantry was classic and it is a shame that NJTA is removing it permanently just as the original slant roof toll plazas are being modernized or ramps relocated as in the case of Exit 8

I did not like the sign panels that were on that gantry (they were uninformative and sooo-1950's), but I loved the gantry itself, and in a perfect world, the Turnpike Authority would have either retained that old gantry, or built a new one using the same campy style and installed new, MUTCD-compliant sign panels on it.

NJDOT did so in Jersey City on WB I-78 on the viaduct leading to the Turnpike.  They copied the 1950's style gantry used at Exit 6 (and on some CA Freeways) and just erected modern sign panels.

You're 100% wrong. The gantries on I-78 dateD to the same time as the Exit 6 ones. Only two of them are left - Exits 14A and 14B ramps. All of the mainline ones are gone, and don't even pretend to tell me that they look like the originals.

[NJRoadfan]

I guess US-130 doesn't get any love on the new Exit 6 signs, and shouldn't that be a "TO I-276"?

I still think Baltimore should be the southbound control city for NJ-700. Thats the direction most of the traffic is going anyway. NJDOT just sticks to plain old "Delaware" or "Del Mem Br" on all their signs.

[deathtopumpkins]

I guess US-130 doesn't get any love on the new Exit 6 signs, and shouldn't that be a "TO I-276"?

As stated upthread, there IS a "TO" in front of the 276 shield, it was just covered up with the 95 shield.

I still think Baltimore should be the southbound control city for NJ-700. Thats the direction most of the traffic is going anyway. NJDOT just sticks to plain old "Delaware" or "Del Mem Br" on all their signs.

I have never seen Delaware appear as a control city, and all the new signs feature Camden and then Wilmington if they have a control city at all (some of the new pull throughs retained THRU TRAFFIC). I agree that Baltimore would be a better fit since that is where the vast majority of traffic is going, but the NJTA (not NJDOT, btw) is always one to be different.

[Alps]

I guess US-130 doesn't get any love on the new Exit 6 signs, and shouldn't that be a "TO I-276"?

As stated upthread, there IS a "TO" in front of the 276 shield, it was just covered up with the 95 shield.

I still think Baltimore should be the southbound control city for NJ-700. Thats the direction most of the traffic is going anyway. NJDOT just sticks to plain old "Delaware" or "Del Mem Br" on all their signs.

I have never seen Delaware appear as a control city, and all the new signs feature Camden and then Wilmington if they have a control city at all (some of the new pull throughs retained THRU TRAFFIC). I agree that Baltimore would be a better fit since that is where the vast majority of traffic is going, but the NJTA (not NJDOT, btw) is always one to be different.

Wilmington is the next major city, and the only one in Delaware big enough to be signed. The NJTA only wants to sign one city - if they did two, then you could add Baltimore. Also, THRU TRAFFIC is now dead for any new signs.

[deathtopumpkins]

I guess US-130 doesn't get any love on the new Exit 6 signs, and shouldn't that be a "TO I-276"?

As stated upthread, there IS a "TO" in front of the 276 shield, it was just covered up with the 95 shield.

I still think Baltimore should be the southbound control city for NJ-700. Thats the direction most of the traffic is going anyway. NJDOT just sticks to plain old "Delaware" or "Del Mem Br" on all their signs.

I have never seen Delaware appear as a control city, and all the new signs feature Camden and then Wilmington if they have a control city at all (some of the new pull throughs retained THRU TRAFFIC). I agree that Baltimore would be a better fit since that is where the vast majority of traffic is going, but the NJTA (not NJDOT, btw) is always one to be different.

Wilmington is the next major city, and the only one in Delaware big enough to be signed. The NJTA only wants to sign one city - if they did two, then you could add Baltimore. Also, THRU TRAFFIC is now dead for any new signs.

Are you sure? I swear I've seen THRU TRAFFIC used in conjunction with a NJTP shield on a new pull-through.