The New Jersey Turnpike is a foundational element of the state’s transportation infrastructure and a vital artery within the broader I-95 corridor, connecting major economic centers across the Northeast United States. The Turnpike facilitates the movement of over 375 million tons of goods annually with direct connections to significant logistics hubs like the Port of Newark/Elizabeth and Newark Liberty International Airport. The Turnpike directly supports commerce, fosters job creation, and enhances the overall quality of life within the state.³ 

Addressing Decades of Growth and Congestion

The 36.5-mile segment of the New Jersey Turnpike between Interchanges 1 and 4 remains in its original four-lane configuration (two lanes in each direction) since its construction in 1951.⁴ This contrasts sharply with other sections of the Turnpike, which have undergone extensive capacity enhancements, expanding to six, twelve, or even fourteen lanes in certain areas, to meet evolving traffic demands.⁵

A comprehensive Traffic Operational Study of New Jersey Turnpike Interchanges 1 to 6 identified critical safety, mobility, and operational deficiencies within this corridor. The study’s projections are stark: without significant improvements, this section of the Turnpike is anticipated to reach “gridlock by the year 2030”.⁷ This severe forecast is driven by substantial population growth and, notably, a surge in warehouse development across the region, which has dramatically increased truck traffic and overall vehicle volumes, pushing the existing two-lane roadway beyond its operational limits.⁸

Beyond capacity, a significant driver for the project is the aging infrastructure. Many of the 66 bridges traversing or running alongside the Turnpike in this section are original to its 1951 construction, making them over 70 years old.⁵ These structures require modernization to meet current highway engineering and design standards. The project aims to reduce crash rates, improve the geometry of on- and off-ramps (which helps avoid rollovers), and enhance overall safety for both passenger vehicles and heavy truck traffic.⁵ 

The Interchanges 1 to 4 Capacity Enhancements Program

The project is officially designated as the “Interchanges 1 to 4 Capacity Enhancements Program.” It encompasses the southern 36.5 miles of the New Jersey Turnpike, traversing four counties—Salem, Gloucester, Camden, and Burlington—and impacting 18 municipalities within this corridor.⁴

The central feature of the program is the addition of a third lane in each direction, effectively transforming this section from a four-lane to a six-lane highway. This comprehensive upgrade also includes geometric and capacity improvements at Interchanges 1, 2, 3, and 4 to enhance traffic flow and maneuverability. Solutions are also targeted to alleviate congestion on local roadway networks at ramp termini, improving connections to surrounding communities. A significant undertaking involves the replacement or substantial rehabilitation of 56 out of the 66 bridges over or along the Turnpike, with new structures designed to allow for mainline expansion and feature increased vertical clearance to meet modern standards. Upgrades to shoulder widths and improved interchange lighting are also planned, alongside the expansion of express E-ZPass lanes at the Interchange 1 plaza to streamline toll collection.⁴

The program explicitly integrates environmental considerations, including the incorporation of green infrastructure elements aimed at improving water quality. Furthermore, the design process includes planning for both the current and future needs of electric and autonomous vehicles, signaling a forward-looking approach to transportation infrastructure.⁴ The integration of green infrastructure and planning for electric and autonomous vehicles demonstrates a conscious effort to future-proof the infrastructure and align it with evolving environmental standards and technological advancements. This suggests a more holistic approach to highway development that extends beyond simply increasing lane miles, potentially mitigating some long-term environmental concerns.

Table: Interchanges 1 to 4 Capacity Enhancements Program – Project Scope at a Glance

IV. Anticipated Benefits of the Expansion

The program’s core objective is to significantly improve traffic flow and ease congestion, particularly at key interchanges that currently experience severe bottlenecks. 

For a driver traversing the full length between Interchanges 1 and 4, official projections indicate a potential time savings of over 23 minutes one way during congested hours on an average day. For individuals who commute this section five days a week, this translates to an impressive annual savings of nearly 100 hours.⁹ 

The enhanced infrastructure is poised to act as a significant catalyst for economic growth across the South Jersey region. This improved transportation corridor is expected to make South Jersey a more attractive location for commercial investment, fostering new business activity, supporting existing industries, and ultimately benefiting the entire state’s economy.¹ The project’s economic benefits extend beyond direct transportation efficiencies to broader regional development. By improving accessibility for commerce and freight, it reinforces New Jersey’s strategic position as a “crossroads of commerce” and a gateway for global trade. 

V. Project Timeline and Public Engagement

The Interchanges 1 to 4 Capacity Enhancements Program initiated its Concept Development Phase in May 2021. Following this, preliminary design and environmental studies were successfully completed. Currently, the project is in the crucial phase of final design, engineering, and environmental permitting.⁴ Construction activities for the program are anticipated to commence in 2026, with the entire project scheduled for completion in 2032.⁴

The program is mandated to comply with New Jersey’s Executive Order No. 215, which necessitates the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to thoroughly assess and mitigate any potential adverse environmental effects.⁷ The New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) has undertaken extensive public outreach efforts since 2021, engaging in multiple rounds of meetings with local, county, state, and federal officials. Looking ahead, Public Information Centers are slated for the summer and fall of 2025, providing further opportunities for the public to review the program’s progress and submit comments.⁴ The detailed timeline, coupled with explicit adherence to environmental compliance and extensive public outreach, underscores the project’s commitment to regulatory processes and transparency. This demonstrates the institutional dedication to a structured and publicly accountable development process.

SOURCES:

1. NJTA 2025 Budget in Brief – NJ Turnpike Authority, https://www.njta.com/media/8675/njta-2025-budget-in-brief-final.pdf
2. New Jersey Turnpike Authority – 2024 Annual Budget-in-Brief, https://www.njta.com/media/8015/njta-2024-budget-in-brief-final.pdf
3. The Value of Freight to the State of New Jersey – NJ.gov, https://www.nj.gov/transportation/freight/plan/pdf/vfnj.pdf
4. Capital Projects | NJTA, https://www.njta.com/capitalprojects
5. Program Fact Sheet – July 2022 (Rev 1) – NJ Turnpike Authority, 2025, https://www.njta.com/media/6837/1-to-4-fact-sheet.pdf
6. PROGRAM FACT SHEET | 2024 – NJ Turnpike Authority, accessed June 12, 2025, https://www.njta.com/media/8327/njta_program-fact_sheet-32024.pdf
7. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | 202 5, https://aecomviz.com/NJTA1-4CEP-2022/pdf/NJTA_Program%20FAQ%201.3.25.pdf
8. NEWSLETTER – NJ Turnpike Authority, https://www.njta.com/media/8129/1-to-4-newsletter-spring.pdf
9. NEWSLETTER – NJ Turnpike Authority, https://www.njta.com/media/8894/1-to-4-newsletter-spring-2025.pdf
10. INTERCHANGES 1 to 4 CAPACITY ENHANCEMENTS PROGRAM, https://aecomviz.com/NJTA1-4CEP-2022/pdf/NJ1to4%20Stakeholder%20Engagement%20for%20VCR.pdf
11. PROGRAM FACT SHEET | 202 5 – NJ Turnpike Authority, accessed June 12, 2025, https://www.njta.com/media/8712/njta-1-to-4-program-fact-sheet-january-2025.pdf
12. Interchange 1 to 4 – NJ Turnpike Authority, https://www.njta.com/capitalprojects/interchange-1-to-4
13. eo215.pdf – NJDEP – NJ.gov, https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/oppn/eo215.pdf
14. Stop the Turnpike expansion boondoggle, put money towards public transit : r/newjersey, https://www.reddit.com/r/newjersey/comments/1kbecsf/stop_the_turnpike_expansion_boondoggle_put_money/
15. Most NJ Gov. Candidates Have No Problem With ‘Boondoggle’ Turnpike Widening – Streetsblog New York City, https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/06/04/most-nj-gov-candidates-have-no-problem-with-boondoggle-turnpike-widening
16. Activists protest New Jersey Turnpike expansion – Phase one of the project would replace the Bridge with two new spans and replace 16 other bridges that make up the four-mile highway between Exit 14 in Newark and Exit 14A in Bayonne. – Reddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/Newark/comments/1d3c7i1/activists_protest_new_jersey_turnpike_expansion/
17. What is the controversy with the Turnpike expansion? : r/newjersey – Reddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/newjersey/comments/1kllitt/what_is_the_controversy_with_the_turnpike/
18. Opponents dispute new NJ turnpike expansion analysis – YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N6YjTJ6fOo
19. RPA Submitted Comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment Regarding the Proposed Newark Bay-Hudson County Extension (NB-HCE) Improvements Program – Regional Plan Association, https://rpa.org/news/testimony/rpa-testimony-on-the-draft-environmental-assessment-regarding-the-proposed-newark-bay-hudson-county-extension-nb-hce-improvements-program