New Jersey Turnpike Expansion: Boon or Boondoggle?

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Bayonne NJ, the controversial $10.7 billion New Jersey Turnpike expansion project has taken another major step forward, despite ongoing debates between supporters and opponents. The ambitious plan aims to rebuild an 8.1-mile stretch of the I-78 Turnpike extension, doubling lanes across the Newark Bay between Bayonne and Jersey City to the Holland Tunnel. The project also includes reconstructing and widening the Newark Bay Bridge.

Why Supporters Back the Turnpike Expansion

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) argues that the expansion will:

• Improve safety on one of the state’s busiest highways.
• Reduce congestion and traffic delays.
• Boost the nearby port system, which is among the nation’s busiest.
• Create more than 25,000 jobs during the construction phase.

A Fairleigh Dickinson University poll found that 58% of New Jersey voters support the project, highlighting a significant level of public backing.

Critics Say the Project is a Costly Mistake

However, the plan has also drawn strong opposition from environmental advocates, community leaders, and local mayors. Critics argue that:

• The expansion will increase pollution in already overburdened communities, many of which are working-class neighborhoods.
• The multi-billion-dollar investment should be redirected toward improving public transportation.
• The project contradicts New Jersey’s climate goals, which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, and Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla have all publicly denounced the expansion. Fulop called it a “misguided and wasteful” plan, while Bhalla urged state officials to consider alternative solutions, such as congestion pricing and improved transit infrastructure.

Project Timeline and First Phase Updates

The NJTA recently approved five items to advance the first phase of the project, which includes reconstructing the area between Interchange 14 in Newark and Interchange 14A in Bayonne and Jersey City. This phase involves replacing 16 bridges, including the Newark Bay Bridge, with two new cable-stayed bridges featuring four lanes in each direction.

• Start Date: 2026
• Estimated Completion: 8 to 10 years
• Scope: 41 miles, including 16 bridges and 9 ramps

The Debate Over Environmental and Public Health Impact

Opponents argue that adding more lanes will not reduce congestion but instead encourage more traffic. According to Corey Hannigan of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, the Turnpike Authority’s own studies indicate increased traffic volumes as a result of the project.

Environmental groups have also raised concerns:

• Transportation accounts for 34 million metric tons of climate pollution in New Jersey.
• Air pollution from vehicle emissions contributes to high asthma rates in Newark and Hudson County.
• The NJTA’s draft environmental impact statement is being criticized as inadequate.

Is There an Alternative?

Advocates for sustainable transportation suggest that instead of expanding highways, New Jersey should:

• Invest in reliable public transit options.
• Improve freight rail infrastructure.
• Enhance bike and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

A report commissioned by the NJTA in 2020 found that rehabilitating the existing bridge would cost around $260 million—just a fraction of the projected cost of the expansion. Yet, no official studies have been conducted on potential transit alternatives.

What’s Next?

Despite the controversy, the NJTA is moving forward with the project, citing the aging infrastructure’s need for urgent replacement. However, with ongoing pushback from environmental groups, local officials, and residents, the debate over whether this project is a necessary infrastructure upgrade or an environmental misstep is far from over.

 

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