State leaders have announced significant revisions to the Newark Bay–Hudson County Extension Improvements Program, adjusting the scope of the New Jersey Turnpike expansion while preserving safety and infrastructure upgrades. The updated plan changes how the highway moves through Jersey City but keeps major bridge, roadway, and port-access projects intact.
- The New Jersey Turnpike will keep its existing two-lane configuration through Jersey City instead of expanding to six lanes.
- Changes to the project are expected to save approximately $500 million from the estimated $11.7 billion total cost.
- The Newark Bay bridge replacement and western portion of the Turnpike Extension will proceed unchanged, with construction planned for 2026.
Turnpike Lanes Through Jersey City Reduced From Original Proposal
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority confirmed that it will not add new travel lanes east of Interchange 14A, meaning the Turnpike Extension will remain two lanes through Jersey City rather than expanding to six lanes as originally proposed.
Outgoing Governor Phil Murphy said the Improvements Program is a critical investment designed to expand access to regional ports and Newark Liberty International Airport while supporting residential and commercial growth in Jersey City, Bayonne, and Newark. He said communities near the Turnpike Extension are growing rapidly and port operations are handling increasing volumes of cargo, prompting the state to rework parts of the program after further review.
According to state officials, the revised approach is expected to reduce total project costs by approximately $500 million, bringing the estimated overall cost to $11.7 billion.
Port Access Improvements and Traffic Management at Interchange 14A
With plans for additional lanes through Jersey City removed, the updated Turnpike program now centers on improving how traffic moves to and from port facilities in Bayonne and Jersey City. The revised design introduces direct roadway links from the Turnpike Extension to the ports, a change intended to improve the flow of truck traffic while easing pressure on nearby bridges and local roads.
New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Fran O’Connor, who also serves as chair of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority Board of Commissioners, said the reworked layout offers a safer and more effective way for trucks to access port facilities. He said the adjustments are expected to lessen congestion on the bridge and surrounding streets, providing benefits for both freight operators and everyday drivers who travel through Interchange 14A.
State officials said a portion of the cost savings from eliminating the added travel lanes will be redirected toward constructing new ramps as part of Project 2A. The ramps are specifically designed to separate heavy truck traffic from local passenger vehicles within the interchange, reducing points of conflict.
Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis said the changes address long-standing concerns from residents who rely on Interchange 14A. He said routing trucks directly to port facilities will keep them out of the interchange, helping to cut congestion and create a smoother and less stressful drive for people traveling through Bayonne and Jersey City.
Aging Turnpike Extension and Planned Bridge Replacement
The Newark Bay–Hudson County Extension, a key transportation corridor that opened in 1956, runs for 8.1 miles between Interchange 14 in Newark and the Jersey Avenue intersection in Jersey City. It functions as an official evacuation route and is largely made up of 29 bridges.
Work planned under the first phase of the Improvements Program is concentrated on the western portion of the extension, specifically the segment stretching from the mainline New Jersey Turnpike at Interchange 14 in Newark to Interchange 14A in Bayonne and Jersey City. This phase calls for a complete replacement of the roadway, ramps, and bridges along that stretch.
Central to the project is the replacement of the Vincent R. Casciano Bridge over Newark Bay. The existing structure will be replaced with twin cable-stayed bridges, along with a rebuilt roadway designed to carry four lanes of traffic in each direction to improve traffic flow and operations.
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a permit for the Newark Bay Bridge project in May. The bridge work is estimated to cost $6 billion and is part of a larger $10.7 billion Turnpike widening initiative. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, and state officials said the recently announced revisions will not change this first phase of the project.
Response From Jersey City Leadership and State Officials
Jersey City Mayor-elect James Solomon, who has opposed the Turnpike expansion for years, welcomed the decision to prevent additional highway lanes from being built within the city. He said stopping the expansion through Jersey City avoids further disruption to neighborhoods and protects residents’ health and well-being, while also acknowledging the role of advocacy groups that pushed for changes to the project.
At the same time, Solomon said the revised plan still directs billions of dollars toward moving more vehicles through the region instead of investing in mass transit and safe street infrastructure. He has consistently argued that highway expansion increases pollution, adds congestion, and worsens commuting conditions for both drivers and mass transit riders.
In an interview conducted in August, Mikie Sherrill, then the Democratic nominee for governor and now the governor-elect, said the project should incorporate more innovative ideas but described the first phase as necessary. She cited the Newark Bay bridge’s “F” rating, the regular use of the shoulder as a travel lane, and the lack of safe access for emergency vehicles as reasons the bridge replacement must move forward.
Timeline and Local Leadership Context
James Solomon was elected mayor of Jersey City on December 2 and is scheduled to take office on January 15. He previously served two terms on the Jersey City Council, where he built a reputation for opposing corruption and advocating for housing affordability, modernized city services, and a more responsive city government. Throughout his campaign and council service, he has promoted mass transit improvements and traffic safety infrastructure.
