The New Jersey Turnpike (or simply The Turnpike as it is known to New Jersey residents) is a toll road in New Jersey and is one of the most heavily traveled highways in the United States (according to the IBTTA, the turnpike is the nation's 5th most traveled highway). A majority of the mainline as well as the entirety of both extensions and spurs are part of the Interstate Highway System. Construction of the Turnpike from conceptualization to opening took 23 months, from 1950 to 1952. The Turnpike boasts ?wide lanes, ?wide shoulders, 13 rest areas named after notable residents of New Jersey, and unusual exit signage that was considered the pinnacle of highway building in the 1950s. The Interstate Highway System took some of its design guidelines by copying the Turnpike's design guidelines.
Changeable signage in the northbound cars only lanes for the split into the eastern and western alignments.
The main headquarters for the Turnpike was in East Brunswick Township; however after the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the New Jersey Highway Authority (former agency that maintains the Garden State Parkway) merged, the NJTA moved to the NJHA headquarters in Woodbridge Township. There, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority monitors vehicular volume on the entire length on the Turnpike. They operate three AM Radio channels, which broadcast advisories (weather, traffic, events) on the turnpike. Also, the main headquarters operates the VMS (Variable Message Signs) on the turnpike, which alerts motorists of poor weather, accidents, or congestion. Speed Limit signs are also VMS. When the main sign flashes ?REDUCE SPEED,? the speed limit VMS changes from its usual speed limit to a lowered one. The Authority also has a few closed-circuit TV cameras that show pictures of current traffic conditions. The cameras are located in Newark (2 cameras), Secaucus (1), Elizabeth (2), Jersey City (2), East Brunswick Township (1), Mount Laurel Township (1), and Monroe Township (2).
Before the advent of the interstate highways, the whole Turnpike was designated by the New Jersey Department of Transportation as Route 700, with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Extension being Route 700P and the Newark Bay Extension being Route 700N at one time. The western spur is officially known as Route 95W but signed as Interstate 95 (see below). None of these state highway designations have ever been signed.
A common VMS sign displaying a warning
North of Exit 8A, the Turnpike splits into a "dual-dual" configuration, with the outer lanes open to all vehicles and the inner lanes limited to cars only, unless signed otherwise because of unusual conditions. From here to Exit 14 (Newark), the interchange with Interstate 78, the road ranges from 10 to 14 lanes wide. Starting in Monroe Township (going north), the turnpike has a total of 10 lanes, 5 in each direction (2-3-3-2). From East Brunswick, the turnpike has a total of 12 lanes, 6 in each direction (3-3-3-3). From Woodbridge Township, the turnpike has a total of 14 lanes, 7 in each direction (4-3-3-4). Between Woodbridge Township and Newark, HOV lanes exist on the outer roadway (outer truck lanes), which is the reason for the extra lane. The HOV lanes are in effect on weekdays, from 6:00-9:00 northbound, and 16:00-19:00 (4pm-7pm) southbound (At times, the Authority might "suspend" the HOV restrictions entirely during peaks hours in case of extra vehicular volume).
Between Exits 14 and 18, the Turnpike splits into two spurs, an eastern spur and a western spur. Both spurs are posted as I-95, although technically the eastern spur is I-95 as that was built first. The western spur is posted as I-95 for through traffic on I-95, while traffic entering at the ends of the split is routed via the eastern spur. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), which calls every class of highway Route, calls the western spur Route 95W.
The Turnpike also has two extensions: The first, the Newark Bay Extension, was opened in 1956 and is a part of Interstate 78. It connects Newark with Lower Manhattan via the Holland Tunnel in Jersey City and intersects the mainline near Newark Liberty International Airport. This extension contains three exits (Exits 14A, 14B, and 14C) and due to its design (four lanes with a shoulderless Jersey barrier divider), it has a speed limit.
The second extension connects the mainline of the New Jersey Turnpike with the Pennsylvania Turnpike at Exit 6. A long six-lane highway, it not only connects the Pennsylvania Turnpike with the mainline, but also has an exit to U.S. Route 130 near Florence. It was formerly designated as Route 700P, but is currently designated I-95 in preparation for when the Pennsylvania Turnpike/Interstate 95 Interchange Project is completed in 2014.
A stretch of I-95 north of U.S. Route 46 came under Turnpike Authority jurisdiction in 1992, as the NJDOT "sold" the road in order to balance the state budget. This section of the road is also "dual-dual", split into local and express lanes. This portion of the turnpike connects to the George Washington Bridge.
A section of the Turnpike and the surrounding land in Elizabeth and Newark, New Jersey has been called "the most dangerous two miles (3 km) in America" by New Jersey Homeland Security officials due to the high volume of traffic in conjunction with the density of potential terrorist targets in the surrounding area.[1]
Even long-time local motorists frequently do not know who some of these people were, or in the case of Kilmer, even what gender they were. (Kilmer's full name was Alfred Joyce Kilmer.) Several of the northbound rest stops are named after people better known by their middle names, rather than first names, these including Thomas Woodrow Wilson, the aforementioned Alfred Joyce Kilmer, and Stephen Grover Cleveland. "Molly Pitcher" is a name given to a woman (reportedly a water-bearer who helped cannoneers during a New Jersey battle during the American Revolutionary War) who may or may not have existed. Contemporary New Jersey writers such as Calvin Trillin and Philip Roth have ruefully commented that they hope they do not get a rest stop named after them once they die.
Perhaps surprisingly, the Looking for America book describes the Edison, Lombardi, and Kilmer rest stops as possible hot spots for heterosexual, homosexual, and prostitution activities respectively.
Turnpike rest areas comprise mostly Burger King and Roy Rogers fast-food restaurant locations. Most rest stops also include a Sunoco, with gas price signs posted about half a mile before reaching the rest stop.
Toll collection
A New Jersey Turnpike Tollgate for Exit 8A in Monroe Township
A toll ticket received at Exit 15W in 2008.
The New Jersey Turnpike is a closed-system toll road, using a system of long-distance tickets, obtained once by a motorist upon entering and surrendered upon exiting at toll gates. The toll gates exist at all exits and entrances (except for the Meadowlands Sports Complex) and also at the highway extension toward the Hudson River. The toll fee depends on the distance traveled between entrance and exit, and longer distances result in higher tolls. As of 2004, the automobile toll from Exit 1 to Exit 18 is $6.45. If the ticket is lost, one must pay the highest toll fee upon exiting. Discounts were available to all users of the E-ZPasselectronic toll collection system until 2004. Since then, the costly implementation of the E-ZPass system forced the Turnpike Authority to eliminate the discounts during peak hours, and instead impose a $1 per month E-ZPass fee to their account holders, causing many New Jersey E-ZPass holders to obtain transponders through other toll authorities which do not impose the fee. E-ZPass customers still receive a discount during off-peak hours, when the automobile toll from Exit 1 to Exit 18 is $4.85. Cash customers do not receive this discount.[2] Express E-ZPass implementation is underway, allowing E-ZPass customers at some of the toll plazas to travel through toll areas at highway speeds, via the addition of E-ZPass sensors on an overhead gantry. One of these high-speed toll gates is located at the northern terminus of the road, as southbound Interstate 95 traffic enters the turnpike. The newest one is located at the southern terminus in Carneys Point. There is also a high-speed E-ZPass entry point on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Extension. At each location, traditional E-ZPass and cash lanes are also available.
When travelling from the North, users who exit at the Meadowlands Sports Complex pay no toll, but the Turnpike Authority counts cars electronically and is paid a fee for each vehicle by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
The non-tolled Interstate 295, which parallels the Turnpike for much of its southern length, is often used as an alternate route for shunpiking by locals and through travelers alike; prior to the expansion of the Exit 1 toll plaza, this route was promoted through signage and radio announcements from the New Jersey State Police as a bypass of summer congestion at the plaza.
Gov. Corzine's 2008 plan to increase tolls
On January 8, 2008, Governor Jon Corzine proposed a 50 percent increase in tolls on New Jersey's three toll roads in 2010, with increases of a similar percentage every four years after that, in order to help pay state debt. Each times tolls increased, there would be an additional increase for inflation since the last toll increase (for the first, since 2006). The roads would be maintained by a nonprofit "public benefit corporation" which would pay back bonds to the state. Under this plan, and without considering the inflation increases, tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike would rise from the current $6.45 to $42.92 in 2022.[3]
It was considered possible that commuters will receive discounts from the higher toll rates.[4] The plan, however, was not enacted due to mounting opposition from New Jersey residents. On 5 September 2008, a proposal to increase Turnpike tolls substantially was reported.[5]
History
Hackensack Run bridge under construction in 1951
Approaching the Exit 11 tollbooths at night in 1992, in the days before E-ZPass.
According to a letter to the editor written by the daughter of Paul L. Troast, the first chairman of the NJ Turnpike Authority, Kathleen Troast Pitney:
A brochure "Interesting Facts about the New Jersey Turnpike", dating from soon after the road's opening, states that when the Turnpike's bonds are paid off, "The law provides that the Turnpike be turned over to the State for inclusion in the public highway system." Due to new construction, and the expectation that the Turnpike pay for policing and maintenance, this has never come to pass.
The task of building the turnpike was not an easy one. One major problem was the construction in the city of Elizabeth, where either 450 homes or 32 businesses would be destroyed, depending on the chosen route. The builders decided to go through the residential area, considering it the grittiest and the closest route to both Newark Airport and the Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal seaport.
NJ Turnpike passes the swampy Meadowlands, near NYC
When construction finally got to Newark, there was a new challenge; Deciding to build either over or under the Pulaski Skyway. If construction went above the skyway, the costs would be much higher. If they went under, the costs would be lower, but the roadway would be very close to the Passaic River, making it harder for ships to pass through. The engineers chose to go under.
While continuing up to the New Jersey Meadowlands, the crossings were harder because of the fertile marsh land of silt and mud. Near the shallow mud, engineers filled the mud with crushed stone, and built the roadway above the water table. In the deeper mud, engineers sank caissons down to a firm stratum, filled the caissons with sand, then both the caissons, and the surrounding areas were covered with blankets of sand. Gradually, the water was brought up, and drained into adjacent meadows. Then, the construction of the two major bridges over the Passaic River and Hackensack River were completed. The bridges were built to give motorists a clear view of the New York City skyline, but with high retaining walls to make it seem as if you are not even crossing a river. The Passaic River (Chaplain Washington) Bridge cost $13.7 million to construct and the Hackensack River Bridge cost $9.5 million.
After the turnpike was built in 1952, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the New York State Thruway Authority proposed a 13 mile extension of the New Jersey Turnpike that would go from its end (at U.S. Route 46 in Ridgefield Park at the time) up to West Nyack, New York at Interstate 87, the New York State Thruway. The portion through New Jersey was to be constructed and maintained by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, while the portion in New York was to be built and maintained by the New York Thruway Authority.
The purpose of this extension was to give motorists a ?more direct bypass of the New York City area? to New England, by using the Tappan Zee Bridge. The extension was to parallel NY Route 303 and a ?CSX (Conrail) River Line", and have limited interchanges. It was to have an interchange with the Palisades Interstate Parkway and at Interstate 87/New York State Thruway in West Nyack. This project did not survive, though. By 1970, it became too expensive to buy right-of-way access, and community opposition was fierce. Therefore, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the New York State Thruway Authority cancelled the project. [6]
A controversial project through the East Brunswick area involved a proposed widening from six to twelve lanes. Analysis of noise (Shadely, 1973) and air quality impacts were made in a lawsuit decided in New Jersey Superior Court. This case in the early 1970s was one of the early U.S. examples of environmental scientists playing a role in the design of a major highway. The computer models allowed the court to understand the effects of roadway geometry (width in this case), vehicle speeds, proposed noise barriers, residential setback and pavement types. The outcome was a compromise that involved substantial mitigation of noise pollution and air pollution impacts.
Future developments
Map of New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway
In January 2004, the Authority opened up the refurbished 18W toll gate in Carlstadt. The refurbishment includes two E-ZPass Express Lanes in both directions.
In July 2004, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority opened the new Exit 1 toll gate in Carney's Point Township. The new 23-lane toll gate is near milepost 2.4, featuring a glass-enclosed overhead walkway for toll collectors, including "a concrete lighthouse to serve as a 'gateway' to the state as well as to the turnpike".[6] The toll gate features 5 lanes heading north, 14 lanes heading south, and two "E-ZPass Express" Lanes in both directions.
In 2005, the Authority opened Exit 15X to allow access to the newly-built Secaucus Junction train station.
In February 2006, the Authority updated Exit 8A in Monroe Township. The former exit ramp that allowed traffic onto Route 32 westbound, has been closed off. Instead, a new ramp leads to a traffic light at the intersection of the ramp and County Route 535 in South Brunswick Township. Route 535 was expanded between the new ramp intersection and Route 32.
The Turnpike Authority is planning to widen the turnpike from the Exit 1 toll gate in Carney's Point Township to Exit 4 in Mount Laurel Township. Wider overpasses are currently being constructed to accommodate one extra lane in each direction (which would change the Southern Turnpike configuration from 2-2 to 3-3). However, this project is on hold due to the Exit 6-8A widening.
The Turnpike Authority plans to widen the turnpike between Exit 9 in East Brunswick Township to Exit 8A in Monroe Township. This widening would change the dual-dual setup (from 2-3-3-2) to "3-3-3-3."
The Turnpike Authority is reconfiguring Exit 12 in the Boro of Carteret to reduce truck traffic. A new grade separated interchange-ramp will be constructed from Roosevelt Ave east and connect to the toll gate. In addition, the toll gate is being widened (which will feature extra toll lanes). The estimated completion date is unknown.
The Authority is lowering the Eastern Spur (between 107.3 to 107.5 in Newark). The lowered spur will consist of a minimum vertical clearance and a horizontal clearance on the shoulders underneath the Pulaski Skyway (U.S. Routes 1/9) once finished.[6]
The Turnpike Authority is repaving portions of the expressway, including ramps, as well as repairing bridges and overpasses.
Proposed widening between Interchanges 6 and 8A
In November 2004, New Jersey Governor Richard Codey advocated a plan to widen the Turnpike, extending the dual-dual configuration south from Exit 8A (Monroe Township) to Exit 6 (Mansfield Township), by 2011, when the Pennsylvania Turnpike is supposed to complete an interchange that will connect its road to the existing I-95 in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania. Finances would be supplied by rerouting money from the planned NJ 92 Turnpike extension. Overpasses are already being reconstructed to be compatible with a wider Turnpike.[7] The NJTA is also planning to expand the turnpike between Exit 9 in East Brunswick to Exit 8A in Monroe Township. This would change the current dual-dual configuration (2-3-3-2) to "3-3-3-3." This would require little construction as the overpasses were built with future expansion and would only require the outer lanes to be repaved and restriped to accommodate the extra lane.
The dual-dual configuration (between 6 and 8A) was thought to have been "2-3-3-2." However, according to Turnpike documentation, the turnpike would feature six lanes in each direction (3-3-3-3).[8] The following interchanges will be upgraded with this widening project: Exit 6 (Mansfield), Exit 7 (Bordentown), Exit 7A (Robbinsville Twp), Exit 8 (East Windsor Twp), and Exit 8A (Monroe Township).
Widening proposal
Exit #
Interchange/Toll Gate Location
Mile
Ramp Modifications
Expansion to Toll Gate
Notes
6
Mansfield Township
50.9
Build 2 lane high speed ramps to/from Inner & Outer Roadways
No
Future start of ?Dual-Dual? setup
7
Bordentown Twp
53.7
Build single lane ramps to/from Inner & Outer Roadways
No
6N&S
Hamilton Twp
57.8
Build single lane Inner & Outer Roadway exit/entrance ramps
--none--
Woodrow Wilson Service Area (6N) & Richard Stockton Service Area (6S)
7A
Robbinsville Township
60.5
Build new ramps to Inner & Outer Roadways
Yes ? add 3 more lanes to gate
2 lane ramps to be built to enter NB lanes & exit SB lanes
8
East Windsor Township
67.6
Build new interchange with single lane ramps to/from Inner & Outer Roadways, and ramp to maintenance shed
Build single lane SB ramps to/from Inner & Outer Roadways
--none--
Molly Pitcher Service Area on the SB side
8A
Monroe Township
73.9
Build single lane entrance ramp to SB Inner Car Lanes
No
On January 1, 2007, the Turnpike was facing opposition in East Windsor Township with an upgrade of Exit 8. The current Interchange 8 will be demolished and replaced with a new interchange. Prior to this plan being released, some thought that the new Exit 8 would connect directly with the Hightstown Bypass. There seems to be ample space (between mile markers 67.89 and 68.12) to build a new interchange, a toll gate and ramps for 133. The NJTA's plan was to re-route the new Exit 8 to the intersection with Route 33, Milford Road, and the Hightstown Bypass (on the east side of the expressway in lieu of the west). This new 8 would grant direct access to the bypass (without going through any traffic lights), as well as to 33, using grade separated interchanges. The new toll gate would also feature a total of 12 booths at the gate. However, the interchange and the toll gate would run near some residential houses located right off of 33, and would disturb Twin Rivers. The Authority released 3 configuration options at the intersection of Milford, 33, and the bypass.
Option 1: This option would feature turnpike ramps that would lead to a diamond interchange at Route 33, while the turnpike ramp turns into the 133 bypass and crosses over 33. At the intersection with Route 33 and the interchange ramps (from the turnpike and 133), a traffic signal would be built underneath Exit 8/Route 133. However, the drawback is that this option would ?stop drivers from making several turns near the exit. These include left-hand turns from Route 33 onto [a relocated] Milford Road and from Milford Road onto Route 33.? To make turns that are restricted, ?the plan would push some trucks headed for Milford Road onto Lake Drive, which would be connected to Milford by a new connector road.? The relocated Milford Road would start at the intersection of Monmouth Street and continue southeast to the existing Milford Road near Daniel Street.
Option 2: A grade-separated diamond interchange would be constructed, which would lead the ramps towards Route 33. At the intersection with Route 33 and the interchange ramps (from the turnpike and 133), a traffic signal would be built underneath Exit 8 ramps/Route 133. In lieu of a connector road, a jug handle would be built on 33 west. This would intersect at 33 (with a traffic light) and become the relocated Milford Road (after crossing 33). The road would cross over the Turnpike ramps and resume it?s course near Daniel Street.
Option 3: A cloverleaf interchange would be built in lieu of a diamond interchange. After exiting the Turnpike from the 8 toll gate, a ramp on the right would lead to Milford Road or Route 33. The mainline of the turnpike ramp would cross over 33 and turn into the 133 bypass. A relocated Milford Road would be built across from Monmouth Street & 33 (without connecting Monmouth and Milford) towards the intersection with the current Milford Road and Daniel Street. The new Milford would cross over the turnpike ramps. A leaf would be built from the turnpike ramp approaching the 8 toll gate, which would connect to Milford. An entrance ramp would be constructed from Milford Road to the 8 toll gate. Traveling north on Milford, a ramp would be constructed, which would diverge into 2 ways; one way would merge into the turnpike ramp heading towards 133, and the other would intersect at a new traffic light at Route 33 (just east of the current 33-133-Milford intersection).[9]
Emergency assistance
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority offers twelve foot wide shoulders wherever possible, and disabled vehicle service may be obtained by dialing #95 on a cellular phone. The reason why #95 was chosen is probably because the turnpike uses Interstate 95. On the Garden State Parkway, the assistance number is #GSP, which is #477 in number form.
Minimum speed
The minimum speed limit for all zones on the turnpike is 10 MPH below the maximum speed limit. Between the Southern Terminus and milepost 97.2 the maximum speed limit is 65 mph (105 km/h) and 55 mph (88.5 km/h) at minimum, for example.
The movie Being John Malkovich featured several scenes that took place on the New Jersey Turnpike after characters went inside actor John Malkovich's head. The section of the Turnpike was the Newark Bay Extension at exit 14C.
The television show The Sopranos prominently featured the Turnpike in its opening credits and referenced the road repeatedly throughout the series.
The Bruce Springsteen song "State Trooper" features the Turnpike prominently in its lyrics. The band dEUS quotes the line "New Jersey Turnpike riding on a wet night" from "State Trooper" in the song "Theme from Turnpike".
The Chuck Berry song "You Can't Catch Me" features the turnpike: "New Jersey Turnpike in the wee wee hours, I was rolling slowly 'cause of drizzlin' showers". The song has been covered by numerous artists, including The Rolling Stones.
In the final season of The X-Files, the Turnpike is mentioned several times. At one point, the protagonists track down a suspect by the surveillance and toll system.
A typographical error which some may view as offensive exists on an online document available from the State of New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts website. Under the section 19:9-1.9 1, the text reads "No pedestrians permitted on Turnkike." [10]
Opened January 15, 1952 as four ramps at Route 3. Southbound exit and northbound entrance only; exit tolled only for motorists going from Turnpike southbound to Route 495 eastbound. Route 495 westbound to Turnpike northbound is free
In New Jersey, only the New Jersey Turnpike and the Palisades Interstate Parkway use sequential exit numbers; all other exit numbers in New Jersey are based on approximate mileage.
Gillespie, Angus Kress and Rockland, Michael Aaron. Looking for America on the New Jersey Turnpike. Rutgers University Press, 1989. ISBN 0-8135-1466-5.
John Shadely, Acoustical analysis of the New Jersey Turnpike widening project between Raritan and East Brunswick, Bolt, Beranek and Newman, 1973
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