STT757
July 4th, 2009, 11:51 AM
This is sorely needed, and will eliminate a big choke point.
Jersey launches $2.7 billion expansion of Turnpike
Friday, July 03, 2009
David Giambusso
STAR-LEDGER STAFF
State officials broke ground yesterday on a $2.7 billion project to widen one of the most congested areas of the New Jersey Turnpike.
But motorists will have to endure some new construction-related delays until the project is finished in 2014.
In a morning ceremony at a maintenance yard overlooking the highway, Gov. Jon Corzine and officials from the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and Department of Transportation kicked off the first phase of construction, which will eventually widen 35 miles of roads from Exit 6 in Mansfield Township to Exit 9 in East Brunswick.
Traffic routinely backs up for miles in this section where 12 lanes are reduced to 10 and finally to six.
"This is an extraordinary opportunity for the Turnpike Authority staff to really continue its mission to provide for the safety and convenience of motorists," said Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, executive director of the Turnpike Authority.
The project will expand six lanes to 12, between Exits 6 and 8A and will add two lanes to the 10 between 8A to Exit 9. Car and truck traffic will be separated, and the expansion is expected to ease one of the more crowded roadways in the region, currently used by an average of 680,000 drivers each day.
"On any given Friday that merge can back up 10 miles," said Gutierrez-Scaccetti, "On a holiday it can back up for 12."
Officials at the Turnpike Authority say the expansion is the most ambitious in the history of the 58-year-old highway. It is part of a larger, $7 billion capital plan announced earlier this year by Corzine that also includes a widening of the Garden State Parkway.
"Today marks a major step forward in meeting the long-term transportation needs of the state on one of the most densely traveled roadways in America," Corzine said in a statement, adding the project would help create jobs and "enhance the flow of commerce."
Officials estimate the project will generate roughly 18,000 jobs from direct construction contracts and ancillary projects such as shipping, dumping and fabrication.
The expansion is being funded by bond sales, which so far have generated $1.75 billion, according to turnpike officials. Tolls were raised to pay the bonds in December and are scheduled for another increase in January 2012. Turnpike officials said the toll for an average trip -- 22.9 miles -- went from $1.20 to $1.80. In 2012 it will go up to $2.70.
The first phase of the project will involve a relocation of Exit 8 but it will be several weeks, at least, before motorists notice the project. Gutierrez-Scaccetti said the existing lanes of traffic will remain open during construction to avoid excessive delays.
While the onset of the project is a milestone for the state, some say it is a waste of money and will damage the environment.
"You can't widen yourself out of traffic problems -- you have to look at alternative strategies," said Jeff Tittel, president of the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club. "People will be paying more to go nowhere."
Tittel advocated a smaller widening that used reversible lanes to ease traffic on both sides of the Pike during peak hours. Tittel said the increased lanes will draw more traffic and encourage development.
Gutierrez-Scaccetti countered that miles of idling traffic is not doing the environment any good and said the expansion cannot help but ease traffic.
Anyone who has ever driven on this section of the Turnpike understands the need for this widening," transportation commissioner Stephen Dilts said yesterday in a statement, adding that it was one of the worst bottlenecks in the state. "Nobody will be sad to see it go."
Jersey launches $2.7 billion expansion of Turnpike
Friday, July 03, 2009
David Giambusso
STAR-LEDGER STAFF
State officials broke ground yesterday on a $2.7 billion project to widen one of the most congested areas of the New Jersey Turnpike.
But motorists will have to endure some new construction-related delays until the project is finished in 2014.
In a morning ceremony at a maintenance yard overlooking the highway, Gov. Jon Corzine and officials from the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and Department of Transportation kicked off the first phase of construction, which will eventually widen 35 miles of roads from Exit 6 in Mansfield Township to Exit 9 in East Brunswick.
Traffic routinely backs up for miles in this section where 12 lanes are reduced to 10 and finally to six.
"This is an extraordinary opportunity for the Turnpike Authority staff to really continue its mission to provide for the safety and convenience of motorists," said Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, executive director of the Turnpike Authority.
The project will expand six lanes to 12, between Exits 6 and 8A and will add two lanes to the 10 between 8A to Exit 9. Car and truck traffic will be separated, and the expansion is expected to ease one of the more crowded roadways in the region, currently used by an average of 680,000 drivers each day.
"On any given Friday that merge can back up 10 miles," said Gutierrez-Scaccetti, "On a holiday it can back up for 12."
Officials at the Turnpike Authority say the expansion is the most ambitious in the history of the 58-year-old highway. It is part of a larger, $7 billion capital plan announced earlier this year by Corzine that also includes a widening of the Garden State Parkway.
"Today marks a major step forward in meeting the long-term transportation needs of the state on one of the most densely traveled roadways in America," Corzine said in a statement, adding the project would help create jobs and "enhance the flow of commerce."
Officials estimate the project will generate roughly 18,000 jobs from direct construction contracts and ancillary projects such as shipping, dumping and fabrication.
The expansion is being funded by bond sales, which so far have generated $1.75 billion, according to turnpike officials. Tolls were raised to pay the bonds in December and are scheduled for another increase in January 2012. Turnpike officials said the toll for an average trip -- 22.9 miles -- went from $1.20 to $1.80. In 2012 it will go up to $2.70.
The first phase of the project will involve a relocation of Exit 8 but it will be several weeks, at least, before motorists notice the project. Gutierrez-Scaccetti said the existing lanes of traffic will remain open during construction to avoid excessive delays.
While the onset of the project is a milestone for the state, some say it is a waste of money and will damage the environment.
"You can't widen yourself out of traffic problems -- you have to look at alternative strategies," said Jeff Tittel, president of the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club. "People will be paying more to go nowhere."
Tittel advocated a smaller widening that used reversible lanes to ease traffic on both sides of the Pike during peak hours. Tittel said the increased lanes will draw more traffic and encourage development.
Gutierrez-Scaccetti countered that miles of idling traffic is not doing the environment any good and said the expansion cannot help but ease traffic.
Anyone who has ever driven on this section of the Turnpike understands the need for this widening," transportation commissioner Stephen Dilts said yesterday in a statement, adding that it was one of the worst bottlenecks in the state. "Nobody will be sad to see it go."