NJDOT to begin reconstruction of Route I-280/Garden State Parkway Interchange 145
Project will improve traffic safety
(Trenton)—Commissioner Kris Kolluri today announced that the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) on September 15 will begin the reconstruction of the Route 280/Garden State Parkway Interchange 145 in East Orange. The project will not entail lane closures or detours.
“Investment in the structural and operational integrity of our aging infrastructure will ensure that New Jersey motorists can maintain safety and mobility in the years to come,” said Kolluri. “By reconstructing Interchange 145 we are providing both congestion relief and traffic safety.”
NJDOT’s $17 million rehabilitation project will improve the operation of the interchange by eliminating dangerous backups along both the southbound and northbound lanes of the Garden State Parkway. These backups occur mostly during the rush hour periods, resulting in an unsafe condition leading to numerous rear-end collisions. Currently, backups associated with the westbound I-280 movement prevent vehicles from accessing the I-280 eastbound ramp. This project will also improve access from the Garden State Parkway to I-280 eastbound.
The project consists of the construction of a new, wider ramp structure (Ramp D) from the Garden State Parkway toll plaza to I-280 westbound. This new structure will consist of two lanes rather than the existing one-lane ramp structure.
Two new acceleration lanes onto Route 280 westbound will be constructed to replace the existing one lane acceleration lane. Other improvements include the construction of three retaining walls, two new overhead sign structures and guide rail upgrades.
“This project is a major congestion relief effort in a heavily traveled corridor,” noted Kolluri. “The construction has been designed to minimize lane reductions and detours, so that the impact on traffic will be as little as possible.”
Variable Message Signs will be in place on major roads such as the NJ Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, I-280 and I-80 and other regional corridors to inform motorists of the changes in traffic patterns.
NJDOT encourages motorists to consider other transportation options such as carpools, park and rides and public transportation. NJDOT and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority will be coordinating traffic management through the area. Real time traffic information is available on www.njcommuter.com
