New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has scaled back a planned $11-billion widening of the New Jersey Turnpike, but critics say the revised plan will still contribute to increased traffic on roadways throughout the state.
Revised Turnpike Project Focuses on Bridge Expansion
Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority announced late Friday that the expansion will no longer include additional lanes on the eastern spur of the Turnpike leading to the Holland Tunnel. However, a $6.2-billion, 10-year project will proceed to double the capacity of the 1956 Newark Bay Bridge between Newark and Bayonne, creating an eight-lane twin span.
Following the bridge expansion, drivers will merge back into the existing four lanes of the eight-mile Newark Bay-Hudson County Extension, continuing to the four-lane Holland Tunnel. Opponents of the project have condemned the decision, arguing it fails to address the core issues of congestion and environmental impact.
Concerns Raised by Advocates and Lawmakers
Emmanuelle Morgen, a co-founder of Hudson County Complete Streets, stated, “If they double the size of that bridge, it’s going to make no difference in the end. There’s not much change here, I can’t call this a compromise.” A joint statement from EmpowerNJ, Turnpike Trap, Hudson County Complete Streets, and Bike JC Coalitions echoed these concerns, arguing that doubling the bridge’s capacity “now makes even less sense” and will exacerbate congestion at Exit 14A.
Critics also point to potential negative impacts on nearby communities. According to Morgen, the new infrastructure “threatens to offload more pollution and cut-through traffic on the cities’ poorer residents living near the highway.”
Project Justification and Future Outlook
Governor Murphy claimed the project will “relieve” congestion and “address the anticipated impacts of climate change.” However, Turnpike Authority projections indicate traffic could increase by nearly one-third by 2050, even with the bridge expansion. The Authority estimated a rise from 4,533 to 5,986 eastbound vehicles during peak hours, compared to 4,909 vehicles without the widening.
The revised plan represents a reduction of less than 5 percent of the original $10.7-billion price tag. State Assemblywoman Katie Brennan argued the project simply shifts the bottleneck further up the Turnpike, spilling traffic onto local streets. The Murphy administration proceeded with the plans despite recent data showing a 48 percent improvement in travel times through the Holland Tunnel following the implementation of congestion pricing in Manhattan, and increased ridership on public transit options.
Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has stated the need to rebuild the Newark Bay Bridge, but also expressed a desire to avoid increasing the carbon impact on surrounding neighborhoods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scope of the revised New Jersey Turnpike project?
The project will focus on doubling the capacity of the Newark Bay Bridge with an eight-lane span, while foregoing the addition of lanes on the Turnpike’s eastern spur near the Holland Tunnel.
What concerns have been raised about the project?
Critics argue the project will not solve congestion, will negatively impact local communities through increased pollution and traffic, and represents a poor use of funds.
What does the incoming governor have to say about the project?
Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has stated the need to rebuild the Newark Bay Bridge, but also expressed a desire to minimize the project’s environmental impact.
As the project moves forward, it remains to be seen how the planned bridge expansion will ultimately impact traffic patterns and the surrounding communities. Will the increased capacity provide lasting relief, or will it simply encourage more drivers to take to the road?