Route 29 Tunnel To Open
To Traffic Saturday, March 2 New
Traffic Patterns In Area For Monday's Commute
The New Jersey Department of Transportation announced it has scheduled the opening of its Route 29 Tunnel project in Trenton for the morning of Saturday, March 2.
“The opening of this important new stretch of highway has been long-awaited by the residents and commuters of this area. This project will enhance the quality of life for local residents by ensuring that traffic meant for the state highways stays on the state system,” said Acting Transportation Commissioner James P. Fox.
The opening of the 1.8-mile missing section of Route 29 completes the Trenton Complex. Motorists will now be able to access Route 129 and I-195 and I-295 without detouring on to local streets. Active construction and finished product photographs are available here.
When the new section of Route 29 opens trucks weighing over 13 tons, which are generally the larger 18-wheel vehicles, will be restricted from using the road unless they have local delivery. Vehicles over 13 tons and those transporting hazardous materials will be completely banned from using the tunnel facility. These weight restrictions, coupled with weight restrictions in place since the fall of 2000, will prohibit vehicles over 13 tons from using Route 29 between Trenton and Frenchtown unless they have a local delivery.
“To the residents of Lamberton Street and other nearby streets, the NJDOT will be working closely with State Police and the Trenton Police Department to ensure that commercial traffic without local deliveries is kept on the interstate system,” Fox continued. “I am confident that this project will provide a strong foundation for the continued development and redevelopment of South Trenton.”
The Acting Commissioner added that over the next year the NJDOT will be closely monitoring truck activity in the area, including local streets, to determine the effectiveness and viability of the Route 29 truck restrictions in South Trenton.
The opening of the new stretch of Route 29 will result in different traffic patterns in the area. These include:
- Lamberton Street will become a one-way street NORTHBOUND between Lalor and Landing streets.
- Traffic from Cass Street will be able to go south on Lamberton Street for one block and then must turn left at Landing Street.
- All traffic moving westbound on Lalor Street must turn right on to Lamberton Street.
- Cass Street will be re-striped to its original configuration with one lane in each direction and on-street parking.
- The left turn from Route 129 northbound on to Cass Street will be reduced to a single lane turn slot from the current two-lane turn slot.
- A new ramp from Lamberton Street northbound, adjacent to the former Champale site, will be opened to allow local traffic to enter Route 29 northbound.
- A new off-ramp at the southern end of the new Route 29 highway going southbound will allow traffic to access the marine terminal area.
- The existing on-ramp to Route 29 southbound only, from the marine terminal area, will remain open.
- A new off-ramp from Route 29 southbound to Lalor Street will allow local traffic to access local South Trenton streets.
Acting Commissioner Fox also said that homeowners’ damage claims are still being addressed and that the construction contractor’s insurance carrier is meeting with affected residents to resolve any outstanding issues.
“Just because the highway is opening does not mean that the resolution of any outstanding damage claims issue will be jeopardized. We intend to work hard to facilitate their resolution,” Fox said.
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