NJ 444: Garden State Parkway?

[Interstatefan78]

Is this only for state routes or do Interstates and other roads need to follow this too? Does the NJ Turnpike need to be signed to Carneys Point instead of Wilmington (and wherever it ends Northbound approaching the George Washington Bridge)? Does I295 have to sign Hamilton instead of Trenton?

NJDOT isn't really a fan of signing out of state destinations, so you usually get the bridge crossing or the neighboring state.

I know at one time this was CR 534... I know it was changed to 554, is that still the case?  I havent been in NJ since 1999 and I know that the atlases/gps cant always be trusted

It has been CR-554 since at least 1983 according to the maps I have on hand.

What???

Staten Island is used for Parkway Exit 127.
New York City is used on I-287 for US 22.
New York City is used on I-80 signs.
Philadelphia is used more than Camden on the ACE.
Easton is used more than Phillipsburg on US 22 and I-78.
Port Jervis is used along NJ 23.

Me being a former NJ resident always resented the fact that New York was more important on all roads leading to Newark than Newark itself!

You also forgot New York City being used on I-287 for I-78, and in reality New York City is used on I-287 for both I-78 and US-22 East (exits 21A and Exit 14A), but if you are on I-78 Newark is the common control city sign only at Exit 48 the entrnace to the Express lanes shows Holland Tunnel New York City. On the GSP Toms River and woodbridge is used as control cities on GSP North from exit 38-102

[roadman65]

Is this only for state routes or do Interstates and other roads need to follow this too? Does the NJ Turnpike need to be signed to Carneys Point instead of Wilmington (and wherever it ends Northbound approaching the George Washington Bridge)? Does I295 have to sign Hamilton instead of Trenton?

NJDOT isn't really a fan of signing out of state destinations, so you usually get the bridge crossing or the neighboring state.

I know at one time this was CR 534... I know it was changed to 554, is that still the case?  I havent been in NJ since 1999 and I know that the atlases/gps cant always be trusted

It has been CR-554 since at least 1983 according to the maps I have on hand.

What???

Staten Island is used for Parkway Exit 127.
New York City is used on I-287 for US 22.
New York City is used on I-80 signs.
Philadelphia is used more than Camden on the ACE.
Easton is used more than Phillipsburg on US 22 and I-78.
Port Jervis is used along NJ 23.

Easton was a recent change on I-78, it used to be Phillipsburg. Clinton is also widely used.
Parkway Exit 127 refers to the Outerbridge Crossing extensively.
The ACE has signing that is out of this world. They don't use cardinal directions to refer to the highway on trailblazers, but they include Camden for the most part.
I-80's signs refer to the crossing as well as the city.
US-22's reference of NYC at I-287 is rare, the rest of the signs point to Newark. Related to the above, I-287 south's control city is Perth Amboy, not Staten Island.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Keasbey,+Woodbridge+Township,+NJ&hl=en&ll=40.500282,-74.301213&spn=0.004185,0.010568&sll=43.189471,-79.49398&sspn=0.016051,0.042272&oq=keasb&t=h&hnear=Keasbey,+Woodbridge+Township,+Middlesex,+New+Jersey&z=17&layer=c&cbll=40.499698,-74.301071&panoid=ltc0AaV1lZkg_YINPrM3tA&cbp=12,45.07,,0,-22.5

This is the exit guide on the Parkway for Exit 127.  Its signed for Staten Island, not the Outerbridge Crossing.

Now here is Easton being used for US 22 in Lebanon (and New York).
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Lebanon,+NJ&hl=en&ll=40.644226,-74.813097&spn=0.008287,0.021136&sll=40.734508,-74.123643&sspn=0.004171,0.010568&oq=leba&hnear=Lebanon,+Hunterdon,+New+Jersey&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=40.644275,-74.812856&panoid=TfwX9v_qStH-4BgiglrCfw&cbp=12,45,,0,0

Now here is New York being used at US 202 & 206 NB.
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Somerville,+NJ&hl=en&ll=40.580084,-74.623518&spn=0.01659,0.042272&sll=40.644275,-74.81286&sspn=0.008352,0.021136&oq=somer&hnear=Somerville,+Somerset,+New+Jersey&t=m&z=15&layer=c&cbll=40.580084,-74.623518&panoid=dgpRUDaIddZAQYiYoO06pw&cbp=12,90,,0,0

I lived in New Jersey for 25 years  of my life and I know there are a lot more places that were and still are that cannot or can be shown in addition to these.

[_Simon]

NJDOT isn't really a fan of signing out of state destinations, so you usually get the bridge crossing or the neighboring state.

PENNA!!!!!!
https://maps.google.com/?ll=40.670076,-75.134983&spn=0.012044,0.02929&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=40.670222,-75.135194&panoid=n-0hQ4awitr3L0yL8UdyQA&cbp=12,334.89,,0,-4.37

[roadman65]

I know its been over two months since someone posted here, but I was surfin the GSP website and found something of interest.  In addition to the upcoming project to demolish and replace the existing Great Egg Harbor Bridge at Somers Point, NJ (that many of us may be aware already) that the nearby Beasly's Point Bridge is going to be also demolished as part of the same project.  Considering the the NJTA does not own that structure it does seem odd that it would be included with a Parkway project.

I am to assume as well that NJDOT asked AASHTO to realign US 9 to the GSP between Exits 25 & 29 in lieu of its bay crossing being demolished and not being replaced.  The new Parkway Egg Harbor crossing will feature bike and pedestrian facilities separate from the GSP main travel lanes, so its obvious that NJDOT does not want a new crossing.

Also, pretty soon you will not be able to enter the GSP Southbound and exit at Washington Avenue in Pleasantville as a bridge will be built to eliminate the weave between the Exit 38 merge and Exit 37 exit.  In addition that lane drop from two to one on the ACE Exit 7S Ramp will be eliminated for a longer merge with two lanes into the GSP travel lanes.  Exit 37 traffic will either fly over or under the modified ramp.

There are many other projects in the works including a direct interchange with Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway and a NB Exit 44 ramp.  You must all check out the GSP site if you have not already as many projects are slated for future construction.

[Alps]

There are many other projects in the works including a direct interchange with Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway and a NB Exit 44 ramp.  You must all check out the GSP site if you have not already as many projects are slated for future construction.

Or, you could post the link?

[Roadsguy]

Are they ever going to replace the two-lane loop with a flyover? That's gotta be some pretty bad weaving...

[roadman65]

There are many other projects in the works including a direct interchange with Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway and a NB Exit 44 ramp.  You must all check out the GSP site if you have not already as many projects are slated for future construction.

Or, you could post the link?

Sorry about that.


http://www.state.nj.us/turnpike/our-projects.html
Anyway here it is.
http://www.state.nj.us/turnpike/documents/public-info-center-handout-36-37-38.pdf
http://www.state.nj.us/turnpike/documents/Public-Info-Center-handout-41-44-August-2012.pdf
Post Merge: May 05, 2013, 07:24:08 PM

Are they ever going to replace the two-lane loop with a flyover? That's gotta be some pretty bad weaving...

It does not seem like it, but here is the plan from the NJTA website. http://www.state.nj.us/turnpike/documents/public-info-center-handout-36-37-38.pdf

[jeffandnicole]

There are many other projects in the works including a direct interchange with Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway and a NB Exit 44 ramp.  You must all check out the GSP site if you have not already as many projects are slated for future construction.

Or, you could post the link?

Sorry about that.


http://www.state.nj.us/turnpike/our-projects.html
Anyway here it is.
http://www.state.nj.us/turnpike/documents/public-info-center-handout-36-37-38.pdf
http://www.state.nj.us/turnpike/documents/Public-Info-Center-handout-41-44-August-2012.pdf
Post Merge: May 05, 2013, 07:24:08 PM

Are they ever going to replace the two-lane loop with a flyover? That's gotta be some pretty bad weaving...

It does not seem like it, but here is the plan from the NJTA website. http://www.state.nj.us/turnpike/documents/public-info-center-handout-36-37-38.pdf

A flyover there would work very nicely. The weaving is a pain in the ass!

[roadman65]

Considering the amount of traffic that goes NB to WB (or should I say Phillybound as ACE does not like to use cardinal directions) it would be practical.

Then again, the GSP and NJ 37  interchange needs a flyover real badly as that SB exit to NJ 37 EB is very dangerous.  It has a very tight  cloverleaf and very sharp curve from diversion and you MUST slow down to at least 10 mph (and most likely 5 mph if you have an SUV) to make it safely.

I am surprised that even the NB Exit 37 merge is not even thrown in as part of the project, as it merges real close to NB Exit 38.

[jeffandnicole]

I am surprised that even the NB Exit 37 merge is not even thrown in as part of the project, as it merges real close to NB Exit 38.

That one is a different animal...and by animal, I mean a kind, gentle puppy dog that doesn't even chew on its owners shoes.

Going SB, one would use Exit 37 to access US 322 and most of the areas malls and shopping centers.  This is the only convenient exit from the GSP for much of that area.  Exit 36 can only access Tilton Rd SB (EB). 

However, getting back on the highway going north, there are multiple and more convenient options, especially based on the local roadway network.  Because of that, the on-ramp at Interchange 37 doesn't see nearly the amount of traffic, compared to the Exit ramp.

Plus, the amount of traffic trying to get to the Expressway AC Bound is much less from the NB Parkway, compared to the traffic exiting from the Expressway EB onto the Parkway SB.

There are some cardinal direction signs for the AC Expressway.  One is near an interchange almost everyone uses...just the opposite way.  Most people use 42 South to the Atlantic City Expressway, and that direction doesn't have a direction label.  But, if one used 42 North, the ramp sign for the Atlantic City Expressway does indeed have "East" on the sign!

[roadman65]

I actually kind of figured that not many use NB Exit 38 to go to the ACE as they would Exit 38A which is beyond the EB to NB merge.  If there was weaving problems there, it would be within those two ramps and a flyover, as suggested here, would be the only solution.

Also to mention that there is a direct on ramp from US 40 & 322 to the GSP NB so it also relieves the traffic entering at Exit 37.  SB you must use Exit 37 to go east via either CR 604 to Fire Road or the other way (as signed) on CR 604 to the connector road being the circle is now gone that adds to the mix.

The report, though, emphasizes the lane drop is the main reason for the project as well as need for a longer merge area that would cut in to the Exit 37 deceleration lane.  The engineers also look at the fact the ACE travelers have Exit 9 to use if they need to access the area around Parkway Exit 37 as that also connects to CR 604 via Delilah Road.

[civilmaher]

The report, though, emphasizes the lane drop is the main reason for the project as well as need for a longer merge area that would cut in to the Exit 37 deceleration lane.  The engineers also look at the fact the ACE travelers have Exit 9 to use if they need to access the area around Parkway Exit 37 as that also connects to CR 604 via Delilah Road.

Where did you find this report? I'm looking on the NJTA website and all I can see is the Public Information Center notice.

[jeffandnicole]

The engineers also look at the fact the ACE travelers have Exit 9 to use if they need to access the area around Parkway Exit 37 as that also connects to CR 604 via Delilah Road.

But, Exit 9 from the Expressway costs 50 cents.  Exit 7 (ACE) to Exit 37 (GSP) costs nothing. :-)

[roadman65]

The report, though, emphasizes the lane drop is the main reason for the project as well as need for a longer merge area that would cut in to the Exit 37 deceleration lane.  The engineers also look at the fact the ACE travelers have Exit 9 to use if they need to access the area around Parkway Exit 37 as that also connects to CR 604 via Delilah Road.

Where did you find this report? I'm looking on the NJTA website and all I can see is the Public Information Center notice.

The engineers also look at the fact the ACE travelers have Exit 9 to use if they need to access the area around Parkway Exit 37 as that also connects to CR 604 via Delilah Road.

But, Exit 9 from the Expressway costs 50 cents.  Exit 7 (ACE) to Exit 37 (GSP) costs nothing. :-)

Only Westbound it does.  If you exit at Delilah going EB, its no toll! See here https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Little+Egg+Harbor+Township,+NJ&hl=en&ll=39.434952,-74.591491&spn=0.000446,0.000862&sll=27.698638,-83.804601&sspn=8.300816,14.128418&oq=little+egg+h&t=h&hnear=Little+Egg+Harbor+Township,+Ocean,+New+Jersey&z=20&layer=c&cbll=39.434952,-74.591491&panoid=bvOnNkwdUsY-NHgTU0iR4g&cbp=12,8.33,,1,0 as you see the toll booth for the EB on and not the EB off, as motorists already paid the tolls entering from CR 575 or the mainline plaza. 


http://www.state.nj.us/turnpike/documents/public-info-center-handout-36-37-38.pdf

This is the project page for Exit 37 & 38 that states the reasons.  If I said report, I did not mean in the form of an official document, but what the article said meaning "reported in article" type of report. The project overview in other words.  Sorry about the mis-confususion.

[civilmaher]

This is the project page for Exit 37 & 38 that states the reasons.  If I said report, I did not mean in the form of an official document, but what the article said meaning "reported in article" type of report. The project overview in other words.  Sorry about the mi-sconfususion.

Ah, ok. Just making sure the report wasn't leaked to the public not that it would've been a huge deal. The flyer pretty much explains what the IPA will look like.

[NJRoadfan]

There are some cardinal direction signs for the AC Expressway.  One is near an interchange almost everyone uses...just the opposite way.  Most people use 42 South to the Atlantic City Expressway, and that direction doesn't have a direction label.  But, if one used 42 North, the ramp sign for the Atlantic City Expressway does indeed have "East" on the sign!

How recent was that sign put up? My 2003 photo has a simple gore sign that says "Expressway Entrance" with a Toll banner and a separate shield with the "Shore Points" cardinal destination like they use for surface roads. Streetview's 2008 photo shows a new sign with a shield in it, but its impossible to read.

[roadman65]

This is the project page for Exit 37 & 38 that states the reasons.  If I said report, I did not mean in the form of an official document, but what the article said meaning "reported in article" type of report. The project overview in other words.  Sorry about the mi-sconfususion.

Ah, ok. Just making sure the report wasn't leaked to the public not that it would've been a huge deal. The flyer pretty much explains what the IPA will look like.

That is okay. However, with the internet taking over news source, how could you keep anything a secret anyway.  In broadcasting we learned that the newspapers are phased out pretty much and everything is pretty much on line and social networking.  You want something shared with the public you do it here and it will get out sooner than the traditional means.

[Alps]

I'm surprised that they're leaving Exit 37 in, given the weave to Exit 38.

[jeffandnicole]

The engineers also look at the fact the ACE travelers have Exit 9 to use if they need to access the area around Parkway Exit 37 as that also connects to CR 604 via Delilah Road.

But, Exit 9 from the Expressway costs 50 cents.  Exit 7 (ACE) to Exit 37 (GSP) costs nothing. :-)

Only Westbound it does.  If you exit at Delilah going EB, its no toll! See here https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Little+Egg+Harbor+Township,+NJ&hl=en&ll=39.434952,-74.591491&spn=0.000446,0.000862&sll=27.698638,-83.804601&sspn=8.300816,14.128418&oq=little+egg+h&t=h&hnear=Little+Egg+Harbor+Township,+Ocean,+New+Jersey&z=20&layer=c&cbll=39.434952,-74.591491&panoid=bvOnNkwdUsY-NHgTU0iR4g&cbp=12,8.33,,1,0 as you see the toll booth for the EB on and not the EB off, as motorists already paid the tolls entering from CR 575 or the mainline plaza. 

There's definitely a toll exiting EB.  Look carefully!  Using the link above, see the mast arm going over the lane?  That's for the EZ Pass Transponder reader.  And there's a small coin basket machine on the driver's side of the lane.

The ramp wasn't originally tolled.  About 15 years ago (give or take a few years), they added a toll to the ramp. When they did that, they didn't add a canopy over the lane however.  Since the ramp was originally two lanes wide, a gate arm was added to the right side of the lane. 

And, it's actually a 75c toll, not 50 cents as I originally posted.

[roadman65]

The engineers also look at the fact the ACE travelers have Exit 9 to use if they need to access the area around Parkway Exit 37 as that also connects to CR 604 via Delilah Road.

But, Exit 9 from the Expressway costs 50 cents.  Exit 7 (ACE) to Exit 37 (GSP) costs nothing. :-)

Only Westbound it does.  If you exit at Delilah going EB, its no toll! See here https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Little+Egg+Harbor+Township,+NJ&hl=en&ll=39.434952,-74.591491&spn=0.000446,0.000862&sll=27.698638,-83.804601&sspn=8.300816,14.128418&oq=little+egg+h&t=h&hnear=Little+Egg+Harbor+Township,+Ocean,+New+Jersey&z=20&layer=c&cbll=39.434952,-74.591491&panoid=bvOnNkwdUsY-NHgTU0iR4g&cbp=12,8.33,,1,0 as you see the toll booth for the EB on and not the EB off, as motorists already paid the tolls entering from CR 575 or the mainline plaza. 

There's definitely a toll exiting EB.  Look carefully!  Using the link above, see the mast arm going over the lane?  That's for the EZ Pass Transponder reader.  And there's a small coin basket machine on the driver's side of the lane.

The ramp wasn't originally tolled.  About 15 years ago (give or take a few years), they added a toll to the ramp. When they did that, they didn't add a canopy over the lane however.  Since the ramp was originally two lanes wide, a gate arm was added to the right side of the lane. 

And, it's actually a 75c toll, not 50 cents as I originally posted.

That does not make sense? The Parkway exit (the next interchange is free), why would they charge more for the shorter distance.  Yeah, I know the NJ Turnpike charges more for Exit 6 southbound than they do Exit 4, but that is cause of the bridge across the Delaware to the PA Turnpike, but this one not has a bridge, but folks who just entered the from CR 575 or just paid the mainline toll that is supposed to cover the road from its western end (for the straight through toll)or from point of entry east of the main toll to Exit 7.  The GSP interchange is the mid point between the mainline toll and the Pleasantville barrier, hence why the EB US 9 exit is tolled.

If they really wanted more money, any sensible person would have raised the other tolls instead because the only ones paying more are the ones using Exit 9 which is a fraction of those exiting for the Parkway.

[froggie]

I drove the southbound Parkway yesterday enroute to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.  Noted work underway on the future bridge over Great Egg Harbor Bay.  Visibility through the rain was okay enough to see that most of the bridge deck on the old US 9 bridge nearby have been removed north of the drawspan (which remains inplace).  Most of the bridge piers are still there, but the deck is largely gone.  Unfortunately, because of the rain, I couldn't get photos.

Regarding a comment roadman made about this project back in May, the US 9 bridge removal is included in this project because the land occupied by US 9 on Drag Island (yes, that's the name of the island) is needed for reforestation efforts, per the project presentation.  Apparently, New Jersey has "No Net Loss Reforestation" legislation that requires forestland lost to construction projects be replaced.

Farther south, I could see the work at the three traffic signals in Cape May County (Exits 9/10/11)...most of the work so far appears to be on the southbound side.  The southbound lanes crossover to the northbound side at each of the three intersections, though NJTA has maintained three southbound lanes.  The posted speed is 45 MPH, which might be low during dry weather, but the median crossovers tend to collect a lot of water so in the rain even 45 is generous.

[roadman65]

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Rio+Grande,+Middle+Township,+NJ&hl=en&ll=39.30411,-74.618093&spn=0.014512,0.030556&sll=27.698638,-83.804601&sspn=7.407541,11.645508&oq=rio+grande,+n&t=h&hnear=Rio+Grande,+Middle+Township,+Cape+May,+New+Jersey&layer=c&cbll=39.30411,-74.618093&panoid=tkd_77Qj5gYVMycNNtPjXQ&cbp=12,225.57,,2,0.42&z=15  To see what he is talking about is captured (or captioned) by Google.

[NJRoadfan]

A good part of the old Beesley's Point Bridge has already fallen into the bay. Do they plan on replacing the northbound Great Egg Harbor Bridge? Seems silly to only do the southbound side. Plus it seems limiting to restrict it to only two travel lanes. Given that they focus on evacuation routes in the presentation, they should have planned on the new facility to be 3-3 lanes to replace the lost capacity. They are already rebuilding a bridge just north of there that will likely have room for 3 travel lanes in each direction despite it being just south of where the widening project will end.

[Alps]

A good part of the old Beesley's Point Bridge has already fallen into the bay.

Entirely false. Nothing has fallen.

Do they plan on replacing the northbound Great Egg Harbor Bridge? Seems silly to only do the southbound side. Plus it seems limiting to restrict it to only two travel lanes. Given that they focus on evacuation routes in the presentation, they should have planned on the new facility to be 3-3 lanes to replace the lost capacity. They are already rebuilding a bridge just north of there that will likely have room for 3 travel lanes in each direction despite it being just south of where the widening project will end.

Um, the existing bridge is going to be rehabbed for 3 lanes NB. The new bridge will carry 2/2 traffic while that's done, then be 3 lanes SB.

[jeffandnicole]

They are already rebuilding a bridge just north of there that will likely have room for 3 travel lanes in each direction despite it being just south of where the widening project will end.

The original plans were to widen the Parkway from Exit 30 northward.  This overpass that you are referring to is located at about MP 32(ish).  At least for the near future, those widening plans are on hold, and the Parkway will only be widened from Exit 38 (AC Expressway) and north.