NJ Turnpike Construction rolls on

[bluecountry]

Again, there's no reason to built direct Turnpike-NJ 42 connections and add a whole bunch of complexity to an area of NJ 42 that already has two closely spaced major interchanges. When the new I-295 ramps are built, there will be direct freeway-to-freeway access between the DMB and NJ 42, and a pair of ramps connecting the Turnpike to I-295 somewhere north of Camden would do the same for the other half of the interchange.

Easiest southbound ramp might be a right turn onto NJ 38 west and then around the existing loop onto I-295 (with a C/D road added and the loop from I-295 north replaced by an at-grade left turn). Northbound could get something similar there, with a loop from NJ 38 east onto the Turnpike where a parking lot currently sits. Total cost: eminent domain for part of a parking lot, two new ramps, and two widened bridges. Versus a bunch of flyovers and complicated braiding with two other interchanges.

Is that so?  I never heard of any new connections between I-295 and the NJTP.

[jeffandnicole]

I think he was just theorizing where to put new ramps. 

[NE2]

Yes, I was. I kind of doubt there's been anything official about direct Turnpike-NJ 42 ramps either.

[1995hoo]

Yes, I was. I kind of doubt there's been anything official about direct Turnpike-NJ 42 ramps either.

I'm sure if there were it would have been posted here by now!

[Alps]

Yes, I was. I kind of doubt there's been anything official about direct Turnpike-NJ 42 ramps either.

I'm sure it has been studied by the NJTA at some point, if not by NJDOT, but probably just on an internal/conceptual level. Then again, it's possible someone prepared a study or two on it - maybe for SJTPO?

[jeffandnicole]

Access to Exit 6 from the NJ Turnpike NB is now via the new outer drive.  The 2 Mile Ahead sign was modified to serve as the temporary BGS for that movement.  The "2 Miles" was greened out.  The arrow was placed overtop the greenout covering "South 95".

[roadman65]

You can see both old and new on the GSV images of SB NJT at Exit 6.  If you go to the lanes for the PA Turnpike, you can still see the old art deco sign bridge.  If you go to the SB Through lanes, you can see the new sign assemblies with both Camden and Wilmington as SB pull though destinations and the many blank spaces for the future I-95.  Also US 130 to Florence is moved to a supplemental sign with the NJT fashion of EXIT X FOR instead of the usual EXIT X at the bottom of the sign.

What gets me is the fact that the NB pull through signs do not list NYC, but THRU TRAFFIC Next Exit X Miles as the control points where SB is using Wilmington and or Camden like at Exit 6.

Also the new NB Exit 7A onramp that flies over I-195 has the designing engineers compromising the typical NJT bridge piers for the typical NJDOT design for bridge piers, which I think is cool.  Not that I dislike the NJT bridge designs at all, which I do not, but I thought it was a generous thought to do that.

[mc78andrew]

I drove the NJTPK from NYC to the PATPK and back today as I had to speak at an event at Villanova University.  What a difference!  I cannot remeber all the places where I was on the new outer roadway, but it felt like a fair amount.  The road is so modern with LED VMS and flyovers galore.  It does not feel like the northeast's typical antiquated infrastructure. I am very proud on the polictal will it took to fund this project during a difficult time (2009).  This will definitely produce economic growth for central and south jersey (AKA Sprawl).   Now the the bottleneck is removed, commuting to and from areas around exits 6 to 9 will be much easier. 

[jeffandnicole]

Drove the NJ Turnpike North this morning, exiting at Exit 7A.  There is a rather permanent-looking pole with a overturn truck warning diamond, flashing yellow lights, and a 15 mph advisory speed.  Is this truly permanent, or a temporary issue because the ramp isn't properly banked due to ongoing construction?  I'd be a bit surprised they would design a modern exit ramp with such a design (advisory 15 mph for trucks).

[Alps]

Drove the NJ Turnpike North this morning, exiting at Exit 7A.  There is a rather permanent-looking pole with a overturn truck warning diamond, flashing yellow lights, and a 15 mph advisory speed.  Is this truly permanent, or a temporary issue because the ramp isn't properly banked due to ongoing construction?  I'd be a bit surprised they would design a modern exit ramp with such a design (advisory 15 mph for trucks).

It may be that the sign and its electronic warning system are heavy enough to require such a pole. I don't believe such a low speed is in the plans, but it just might be that they've discovered trucks having issues. (I can't comment on the ramp being banked, not having traveled the ramp.)

[Steve D]

Drove the NJ Turnpike North this morning, exiting at Exit 7A.  There is a rather permanent-looking pole with a overturn truck warning diamond, flashing yellow lights, and a 15 mph advisory speed.  Is this truly permanent, or a temporary issue because the ramp isn't properly banked due to ongoing construction?  I'd be a bit surprised they would design a modern exit ramp with such a design (advisory 15 mph for trucks).

That ramp from the widened NJTP to exit 7A is unique - it is the only one on the entire Turnpike (both present and under construction) to use the inside loop of the trumpet (270 degree turn, not sure of the technical term) after traffic merges from both roadways.  All other ramps from the Turnpike on the dual/dual section use the outside ramp of the trumpet or shorter ramps.  I'm not sure if that sign is temporary or permanent but that loop will definitely surprise a lot of drivers coming from the two high-speed ramps.  I think the design was constrained by the closeness of I-195 on one side and that local road (which now rises about 30 feet over the Turnpike) on the other.

[NJRoadfan]

Its likely a compromise to get the high speed northbound ramp. Otherwise they would have had to build a full semi-directional T interchange which might not have been easy given how high the northbound ramp had to be to clear I-195.

[jeffandnicole]

Its likely a compromise to get the high speed northbound ramp. Otherwise they would have had to build a full semi-directional T interchange which might not have been easy given how high the northbound ramp had to be to clear I-195.

That ramp is the standard height for overpasses.  It is so far away from the turnpike mainline that it meets the accel/decal lanes for I-195's Exit 7.  http://goo.gl/maps/eBj79