Challenge
Traffic grew steadily on the famed turnpike over the years, especially where the number of lanes decreased from 12 down to six, north of Interchange 8A. That stretch of highway is a link to numerous key destinations for commuters and other travelers.
Solution
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority initiated the widening of 35 miles of the turnpike to improve traffic flow. WSP assisted the Authority in assessing traffic and preparing a plan to ensure the highway will accommodate traffic growth over the next 25 years.
In conjunction with plans to widen the highway, WSP:
- Developed alternative configurations for five interchanges to improve their traffic-handling capacity and provide access to three service areas.
- Completed the preliminary engineering and environmental documentation in 16 months and $1 million under budget, which freed up funds for further interchange studies connected to the project.
- Identified and helped resolve environmental constraints posed by nearby properties, such as wetlands, preserved farmland, special habitats and hazardous materials sites.
