The $2.5 billion project to expand the New Jersey Turnpike between Interchanges 6 and 9 from six lanes to 12 is readying to open. According to Thomas Feeney, spokesperson for the turnpike authority, the project was slated for completion in mid-November, but the northbound lanes should be opened to traffic sometime on Oct. 25, weather permitting.
The widening project amounts to, in total, 170 miles of new lanes, and will arrest the congestion that has plagued drivers near Interchange 8A where car and truck lanes merge.
With final paving and line painting having been completed on Tuesday, officials are hopeful that Mother Nature sees her way to clear skies, following a ceremonial event to mark the project’s completion on Friday.
The New Jersey Turnpike expansion project has been the largest in the 63-year history of the turnpike, begun in June 2009. Funding for the project was derived from bonds that are to be repaid by a toll hike that went into effect, in stages, in 2008. It is expected that the southbound lanes will open to traffic by Nov. 1.
