NJDOT Opens Second Segment of I-287 HOV
Transportation Commissioner Frank J. Wilson announced today that the second segment of the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-287 has opened for the morning and evening rush hours.
"This opening represents an additional 6.7 miles of easier and less costly commuting in New Jersey," said Wilson. "HOVs save time and fuel, they help the environment and can reduce commuting stress. It's not every day that New Jersey can reap so many benefits from a single project."
The newest segment is located on the northbound side of I-287, and stretches from South Street in Morristown (Exit 35) to I-80 in Parsippany-Troy Hills (Exit 41). This segment, which extends the available northbound HOV lanes to 12 miles, will operate as an HOV lane in both the morning and evening rush hours, 6-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m., Monday through Friday. This differs from the first HOV segment (Exit 30 to Exit 35), which will continue to operate as an HOV lane during morning rush hours only. Combined, the two northbound segments provide an HOV lane from Basking Ridge to I-80 in Parsippany-Troy Hills.
The HOV lane is located at the far left side of the highway, and marked with the distinctive white diamonds that are found on other HOV lanes in New Jersey and throughout the country. The HOV lane is available to vehicles carrying two or more passengers (including infants and young children) during designated rush hours. At all other times, the lane is available to all vehicles. Motorists violating the HOV lane restrictions are subject to a $76 fine and two motor vehicle points.
"One sign of an effective transportation system is the choices it offers to commuters," said Wilson. "This additional HOV segment will provide motorists with another attractive commuting alternative." Wilson noted that the September HOV opening is particularly timely in light of Governor Whitman's recent proclamation of September as Ridesharing Month.
The next two segments of the I-287 HOV project are scheduled to open in February and August, 1997, with the final two opening in August 1998. When completed, the 21-mile HOV system will operate on I-287 northbound and southbound from I-78 in Bridgewater Township to I-80 in Parsippany-Troy Hills.
"We're looking forward to the completion of this entire project," said Wilson. "While we're seeing positive results with the existing HOV lanes, the benefits of this project will be fully realized when the entire HOV system is operational in 1998."
Initiatives designed to enhance the effectiveness of the I-287 HOV lanes include various park-and-ride locations at which carpooling motorists may leave their vehicles, and Emergency Service Patrols, which provide assistance to disabled vehicles along the HOV corridor.
Motorists interested in obtaining more information on HOV lanes can call 1-800-245-P-O-O-L, a hotline established by the New Jersey Department of Transportation to provide information on alternative commuting.
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