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Improvements Proposed to NJ Turnpike: Public Comments Welcome

Proposed improvements include the reconfiguration of ramps connecting to existing NJDOT State Highways to address capacity, congestion, and safety needs on the Turnpike and the local road network.

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The New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) has proposed improvements to the New Jersey Turnpike to address capacity, operational, and maintenance requirements, and safety needs along 36.5 miles of the highway from its southern terminus at milepost 0.0 (Route 49 over the Turnpike) to just north of Interchange 4 – milepost 36.5.

The proposed improvements include:

  • Reconfiguration of ramps connecting to existing NJDOT State Highways to address capacity, congestion, and safety needs on the Turnpike and the local road network.
  • Addition of one travel lane on the northbound side of the Turnpike
  • Interchange improvements to address geometrical, operational, and safety needs
  • The addition of additional travel lanes and adjustments to on and off-ramps to address geometrical, operational and safety needs

At their December 15, 2020, meeting Bellmawr Council unanimously approved a Resolution supporting the Fifth Legislative District’s request to examine alternate plans for exit 3 as part of New Jersey Turnpike authority’s (NJTA) planned lane expansion project.

When asked for clarification about this Resolution, Mayor Chuck Sauter explained that this is for “the overflow traffic at the turnpike at exit 3. “They [NJTA] are doing a plan to see what they can do with the overflow of traffic and they needed support on that from Runnemede and Bellmawr.”

The Borough supports the request made by representatives of the Fifth Legislative District to the NJTA to examine alternate plans for Exit 3 as part of the planned lane expansion project, the Resolution reads. “The project would help alleviate longstanding traffic congestion issues in the surrounding community.”

The New Jersey Turnpike Interchanges 1 to 4 Capacity Enhancements Program passes through 18 municipalities: Pennsville Township; Carneys Point Township; Oldmans Township; Pilesgrove Township; Woolwich Township; Harrison Township; East Greenwich Township; West Deptford Township; Woodbury Heights Borough; Deptford Township; Runnemede Borough; Bellmawr Borough; Barrington Borough; Lawnside Borough; Tavistock Borough; Haddonfield Borough; Cherry Hill Township; and Mount Laurel Township.

If you would like to submit a written comment, send it to:

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Land Resource Protection
P.O. Box 420,
Mail Code 501-02A
501 East State Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
Attn: Ryan J. Anderson, Manager
(609) 777-0454.

Deadline for comments is February 10, 2023.