Turnpike traffic is on the rise.
The frequency of periodic traffic congestion experienced by the Turnpike has seen a steady increase. Between 2005 and 2032, population and employment growth in central New Jersey is expected to increase by 17.5 percent and 28.2 percent, respectively. The volume of goods moving from Port Newark and Port Elizabeth will continue to grow; expansions at the Port of NY/NJ and growth at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) will also contribute to increased traffic.
As a result, by 2032 northbound traffic volume is expected to increase by nearly 68 percent; southbound traffic is forecasted to increase by 92 percent.
The NJ Turnpike Interchange 6 to 9 Widening Program (Widening Program) consists of approximately 35 miles of road widening and associated interchange improvements from the vicinity of Interchange 6, in Mansfield Township, Burlington County (Milepost 48) to just south of Interchange 9 in East Brunswick Township, Middlesex County (Milepost 83).
The proposed improvements to the Turnpike include:
- Widening the mainline from 6-lanes to 12-lanes from a point approximately 2 miles south of Interchange 6 to the existing 10-lane dual-dual roadway south of Interchange 8A. This will require adding a new 3-lane roadway in each direction for a 25-mile section of the Turnpike (Milepost 48 to Milepost 73). The final result will be a dual-dual facility (3 “cars/trucks/buses” lanes and 3 “cars only” lanes in each direction).
- Adding a third lane to the “cars/trucks/buses” lanes (outer roadways) of the 10-lane dual-dual roadway between Interchanges 8A and 9. This will require adding 1 new lane to the existing “cars/trucks/buses” lanes in each direction for a 10-mile section of the Turnpike (Milepost 73 to Milepost 83).
- Improved connections to interchangesand service areas; relocating and expanding Interchange 8 Toll Plaza and associated ramps; widening Interchange 7A existing Toll Plaza.
When complete, the proposed Widening Program will result in a 12-lane (6 in each direction) dual-dual roadway from Interchange 6 to Interchange 9, capable of accommodating projected traffic needs through the year 2032. The Widening Program will add 170 lane miles at a cost of about $2.5 billion.