I-295 & NJTP question
Scott O. Kuznicki
way to I-195 is parallelled on the west by I-295. I-295 (also US 130) is
shown as a freeway.
Why would someone take the NJTP when they could take I-295? What
disadvantages exist on I-295/advantages on NJTP? Is I-295 really a freeway?
I am curious, so please describe!
--
Scott Kuznicki
Dedicated Highway Enthusiast
Civil (Traffic) Engineer
Scott M. Kozel
>
> The RMcN map shows that the southern half of the New Jersey Turnpike all the
> way to I-195 is parallelled on the west by I-295. I-295 (also US 130) is
> shown as a freeway.
>
> Why would someone take the NJTP when they could take I-295? What
> disadvantages exist on I-295/advantages on NJTP? Is I-295 really a freeway?
I-295 is a freeway all the way, and it is a nice highway, but it has
about 55 interchanges along the same 60-mile length as where the NJTP
has 6 interchanges, so the NJTP tends IMO to flow in more of an
"express" manner than I-295, as the NJTP doesn't have all that "on and
off" local traffic weaving around.
The tolls on the southern section of the NJTP are also much lower per
mile than the tolls in the northern section of the NJTP, so all in all,
plenty of motorists want to drive the southern section of the NJTP.
In very heavy traffic periods, both highways are needed to handle the
traffic and both highways are very busy.
--
Scott M. Kozel Highway and Transportation History Websites
Virginia/Maryland/Washington, D.C. http://www.roadstothefuture.com
Philadelphia and Delaware Valley http://www.pennways.com
Scott O. Kuznicki
> "Scott O. Kuznicki" <scottk...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> Why would someone take the NJTP when they could take I-295? What
>> disadvantages exist on I-295/advantages on NJTP? Is I-295 really a
freeway?
>>
> traffic and both highways are very busy.
What about lane miles, speed limits, and geometric properties?
Is one more scenic than the other? Perhaps my question is also geared
towards who built/maintains the roadways and if that makes a considerable
difference.
informant
"Richard" <Anon...@127.001> wrote in message
news:c8ugt...@news1.newsguy.com...
> Scott O. Kuznicki wrote:
>
> > The RMcN map shows that the southern half of the New Jersey Turnpike
all
> > the way to I-195 is parallelled on the west by I-295. I-295 (also US
> > 130) is shown as a freeway.
>
> > Why would someone take the NJTP when they could take I-295? What
> > disadvantages exist on I-295/advantages on NJTP? Is I-295 really a
> > freeway?
>
> > I am curious, so please describe!
>
> Some times the pike is quicker.
> With the amount of traffic in that area, 295 always seems to be jammed up.
> So in a truck, I'll take the pike for that reason alone.
If you haven't noticed, Bullis, you haven't even been making your 30 mile
potato deliveries in almost three weeks. You were fired from your other temp
job over a year and a half ago. Stop pretending you have any current
knowledge of any subject.
Kevin Flynn
> The RMcN map shows that the southern half of the New Jersey Turnpike all the
> way to I-195 is parallelled on the west by I-295. I-295 (also US 130) is
> shown as a freeway.
>
> Why would someone take the NJTP when they could take I-295? What
> disadvantages exist on I-295/advantages on NJTP? Is I-295 really a freeway?
>
> I am curious, so please describe!
Yes, I-295 is a freeway -- a busy one too. NJTP is for through travel,
and when I lived in Camden County in the '70s, we couldn't use the
turnpike for much of anything local. There was only the one
interchange at Runnemede. So much local traffic on I-295 makes the
NJTP a quicker route for through vehicles.
Eagles Fan On I-175
> way to I-195 is parallelled on the west by I-295. I-295 (also US 130) is
> shown as a freeway.
>
> Why would someone take the NJTP when they could take I-295? What
> disadvantages exist on I-295/advantages on NJTP? Is I-295 really a freeway?
>
> I am curious, so please describe!
Here's the pros and cons to both routes:
I-295 Pros:
1.) Free
2.) More access to South Jersey
3.) Direct access to Philly (if that's was your intention in the first
place)
4.) Did I mention free?
I-295 Cons:
1.) More traffic, not only cause its free, but b/c of the local
traffic as well
2.) Lower speed limit, especially near the I-76/NJ 42/I-295 mess
(35MPH)
3.) No direct freeway access to North Jersey (except I-195 to the
NJTP)
4.) Evening rush hour southbound near NJ 73 down to I-76/NJ 42
NJTP Pros:
1.) Direct route to North Jersey and beyond
2.) No local traffic
3.) Greater speeds (cops don't care if you're doing 75 MPH, so long as
you don't weave)
4.) Only limited-access highway (can't say freeway) from Trenton to
Edison
NJTP Cons:
1.) Tolls suck
2.) Only four-laned from Exit 1 to Exit 4 (41 miles)
3.) Very little access to South Jersey, and no access to the freeways
or Philly
4.) Rush hour's 10x worse at the merge near Exit 8A (or even the lane
drop at Exit 4) than anything on I-295
To answer your question, yes, I-295's a freeway (must be a freeway to
wear the "I", with the notable exceptions, I know), but in order to
access North Jersey from it, one must either take I-195 (Exit 60 on
I-295 and Exit 7A on the NJTP) or US 206 (Exit 56 on I-295 North and
Exit 7 on the NJTP). They're so close together, that one can see the
other numerous times along their ~60 mile concurrency. Taking I-295
over the NJTP or vice versa is a personal preference, but if your
destination must go through North Jersey, I suggest the NJTP.
However, if various points in South (or Northwest) Jersey are your
thing, I-295's the way to go. It might get a little confusing, but
remember that I-295 was only to be a bypass of Philly and the NJTP was
the main through route to New York and New England in the 50's (before
the advent of the Interstate system).
Jim Dietrich
Who's traveled both ways, and found that I-295 to US 206 to NJTP's the
best...
Lepidopteran
<scottk...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>The RMcN map shows that the southern half of the New Jersey Turnpike all the
>way to I-195 is parallelled on the west by I-295. I-295 (also US 130) is
>shown as a freeway.
>
>Why would someone take the NJTP when they could take I-295? What
>disadvantages exist on I-295/advantages on NJTP? Is I-295 really a freeway?
In addition to all the other reasons, I-295 is a comparatively twisty
freeway, with one VERY tight curve at the I-76/NJ 42 interchange. I'd
imagine that might give drivers of 53-foot trailers the willies. I
thought I'd heard of a plan to straighten these curves out.
The NJTP is pretty much straight as an arrow south of Exit 14. North
of there you got the spurs along with all those rail and river
crossings.
Exile on Market Street
"Scott O. Kuznicki" <scottk...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:<7Wzsc.112067$iF6.10276314@attbi_s02>...
> Scott M. Kozel <koz...@attbi.com> posted:
> > "Scott O. Kuznicki" <scottk...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >> Why would someone take the NJTP when they could take I-295? What
> >> disadvantages exist on I-295/advantages on NJTP? Is I-295 really a
> freeway?
> >>
> > In very heavy traffic periods, both highways are needed to handle the
> > traffic and both highways are very busy.
>
> What about lane miles, speed limits, and geometric properties?
Lane miles are almost identical; I believe that I-295 is a little bit
longer, as it veers to the north once past the Burlington/Mt. Holly area in
order to reach Trenton while the NJTP continues on an arrow-straight SW-NE
path. At I-195, the two roads are 5 miles apart; below NJ 73, the two run
right next to each other much of the way.
You've already been told about the tight curves through the I-295/I-76/NJ 42
junction near Mt. Ephraim. The Turnpike through this area is a beeline,
while 295 has several gentle curves north of the 76/42 junction. South of
it, especially where it is multiplexed with (and follows the old ROW of) US
130, it is straighter. ISTR that the co-signed stretch was basically a
glorified US highway until a couple of years ago.
> Is one more scenic than the other?
Southern New Jersey is largely a low plain with few distinguishing natural
features save the Pinelands, the vast scrub forest that both roads miss.
295 is a little better landscaped than the Turnpike, but soundwalls are
being erected along it through Burlington County.
Perhaps my question is also geared
> towards who built/maintains the roadways and if that makes a considerable
> difference.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation built and maintains I-295; the
New Jersey Turnpike Authority built and maintains the NJTP. The latter road
opened in 1952; the Interstate-standard stretches of the former opened
between 1958 and 1997 (the stretch along the east bank of the Delaware just
south of Trenton, including a very pretty scenic overlook accessible from
both sides of the highway). The NJTPA and NJDOT both have a good track
record for highway maintenance. Much of the 1958-66 stretch of 295 is being
repaved and widened as I type this.
>
pigsty1953
I use I-295 if I am going to/from Philly-Cherry Hill vicinity because it
provides easier access and you have more options. If I am going to/from
the Delaware Memorial Bridge, I get off at Exit 1 to fill up, and use the
Turnpike because it is a straight shot to/from North Jersey. A few bucks
in tolls don't bother me that much.
It is always nice to have options. Last summer when I was heading east
from Chicago, the Tri-State was all jammed up with construction and
accident delays, so I got off at 95th, cut over to Cicero, took that to
159th, got on I-57 south to US 30, went east to I-65, and got on the Toll-
way there. I don't know if I saved any time, but I avoided a lot of aggri-
vation.
josef
: (35MPH)
i dont think anyone mentioned that they're redoing the intersection at said
mess, so this should be a lot better in 4 or 5 years when its done. i-295
better be one of the best interstates in nj, for all the construction being
done on it :p
josef
: best...
wait, when do you hit the NJTP going up US 206? maps.msn.com shows it
branching off i295/i95 then going north to us202/i287 o.O
Jeff
> > "Scott O. Kuznicki" <scottk...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >> Why would someone take the NJTP when they could take I-295? What
> >> disadvantages exist on I-295/advantages on NJTP? Is I-295 really a
> freeway?
> >>
> > In very heavy traffic periods, both highways are needed to handle the
> > traffic and both highways are very busy.
>
> What about lane miles, speed limits, and geometric properties?
>
> Is one more scenic than the other? Perhaps my question is also geared
> towards who built/maintains the roadways and if that makes a considerable
> difference.
(referring to the portion where 295 and the Turnpike Parallel each
other)
Speed Limits:
NJ Turnpike - 65 mph the entire length, with the exception of minor
work zone areas.
295 - 65 mph for most of it, but 55 mph between Rt. 42 (Exit 26) and
Rt. 30 (Exit 29). 45 mph between Rt. 30 (Exit 29) and Rt. 38 (Exit
40) due to road work. There's also a 35 mph zone around Rt. 42, but
that's due to the curves in the road. It's not a speed trap, traffic
rarely slows to 35 mph unless congested, and you're only in the area
for a minute anyway.
Scenery:
NJ Turnpike - you can check out the new Interchange 1, due to open
June 30. Otherwise, lots and lots of trees.
295 - lots and lots of trees.
Lane Miles:
NJ Turnpike. About 60 between the Del. Mem. Br. and Exit 7A, I-195.
295 - About 60 between the Del. Mem. Br. and Exit 60, I-195.
However, crossing over between the turnpike and 295, use this as a
guide:
About 1 mile between 295's Exit 56 and the Turnpike's Exit 7.
About 3/4 mile between 295's Exit 28 and the Turnpike's Exit 3.
About 1/2 mile between 295's Exit 36A and the Turnpike's Exit 4.
About 6 miles between 295's Exit 60 and the Turnpike's Exit 7A.
About 2 miles between 295's Exit 47A and the Turnpike's Exit 5.
About 4 miles between 295's Exit 11A (11 SB) and the Turnpike's Exit
2.
Geometric Properties:
Turnpike: Straight. Very Straight.
295: More curves and ramps, and strong curvature around Rt. 42/I-76.
Raymond C Martin Jr
> <scottk...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >The RMcN map shows that the southern half of the New Jersey Turnpike all the
> >way to I-195 is parallelled on the west by I-295. I-295 (also US 130) is
> >shown as a freeway.
> >
> >Why would someone take the NJTP when they could take I-295? What
> >disadvantages exist on I-295/advantages on NJTP? Is I-295 really a freeway?
>
> In addition to all the other reasons, I-295 is a comparatively twisty
> freeway, with one VERY tight curve at the I-76/NJ 42 interchange. I'd
> imagine that might give drivers of 53-foot trailers the willies. I
> thought I'd heard of a plan to straighten these curves out.
Yes.
http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/works/studies/rt295/
=====
Raymond C. Martin, Jr.
Associate Meteorologist, AccuWeather Inc.- http://www.accuweather.com/
New Jersey Expressways and Tollways - http://www.njfreeways.com/
Ray's Winter Storm Archive - http://www.njfreeways.com/weather/
Eagles Fan On I-175
At Exit 56 off I-295 North only (no SB Exit 56; just an entrance to SB
available, so it's not in the McN, but it does exist...I promise).
This is the part of US 206 that multiplexes with US 130 near McGuire
AFB and Bordentown. US 206 goes south of where you see it branch off
the Camden Expressway (I-295/I-95) down to US 30 in Hammonton, where
it then becomes its alter ego, NJ 54. It goes behind the massive
truck stops off of Exit 7 (NJTP) and is an almost direct link from
I-295 to the NJTP. I hardly ever find congestion on the back road
leading to the Turnpike, save the occasional semi backing out of the
diner, so (until now) I believe it to be the best-kept secret for a
connection. Try it once; I'm sure you'll agree:
When coming from I-295 North:
Make a right off of Exit 56. Follow it to a Stop sign, where you make
a left. Go to the light, and stay in the right lane. Make a left,
but stay to the right and you'll see the Turnpike on your right.
From NJTP South:
Follow the US 206 South ramp off of Exit 7. Stay to the right hand
side when coming off the ramp. Make a right at the light next to the
Wendy's. Make the next right at the sign that says "Stop, except for
right turns". Follow that down to I-295, which will be on your
left-hand side.
Simple as that, plus you could grab a bite to eat, if that was
necessary as well ;-)
josef
i'll try it some time
i wonder why they never made a little route to connect them, like how nj-32
connects 130 and NJTP. like was said earlier, you can *see* one from the
other more than once.
: At Exit 56 off I-295 North only (no SB Exit 56; just an entrance to SB
Brian Polidoro
I haven't looked there in about month or so but now I see they've gone
down to 5 alternatives to go into the EIS. I really didn't expect any
of the cut through alternatives to fly. But there are still some
interesting alternatives in there like the double decker I-295 ones
(G2 & H1). Mind you that this double decker as well as most of the
onther alternatives would not only go over I-76/NJ 42 but also go over
the Browning Road overpass over I-76. So the double decker would
result in four levels of roadways. The most surprising to still be in
there is the one where I-295 goes under I-76 in a tunnel (K). But hey
NJ seems to not be afraid of tunnels as the new tunnels in AC and
Trenton show.
Construction is projected to begin in 2009 and continue through 2012.
So it's more like 8 years to go not 4-5 like josef said. I don't know
the timetable for the missing moves ramps but I for one would use them
when traveling between S Jersey and Maryland.
Also interesting is the balloon test they are going to do to simulate
how high the new bridges will be when constructed. This could likely
lead to local residents pushing for the tunnel alternative. I would
assume other instances of balloon testing has been done. Anyone know
of other instances? Springfield VA maybe?
Brian Polidoro
Sean
Jeff
Unfortuanatly, it'll be about 4 years before the construction even
starts. The construction phase is projected to be from 2008 - 2011.
Next year, however, construction will begin on the 295/42 missing
moves ramps. They should be completed in 2007.
Mike Tantillo
> ooo ok i see what you mean
> i'll try it some time
>
> i wonder why they never made a little route to connect them, like how nj-32
> connects 130 and NJTP. like was said earlier, you can *see* one from the
> other more than once.
Because then the turnpike authority would lose toll revenue if you
make it too easy to get to I-295. Notice that on I-295, Exits 2, 13,
28, 36, 45, 56, and 60 all have NJ Turnpike markers. Notice that on
the turnpike, there is not one sign guiding you to I-295....although
if you get off the exit, then often past the toll booth there is an
I-295 shield...like at Exit 4.
Guy Olsen
> way to I-195 is parallelled on the west by I-295. I-295 (also US 130) is
> shown as a freeway.
>
> Why would someone take the NJTP when they could take I-295? What
> disadvantages exist on I-295/advantages on NJTP? Is I-295 really a freeway?
>
> I am curious, so please describe!
Other posters have already described the roadway attributes, so I will
throw in this observation:
Where I-295 and NJTP are roughly parallel, I-295 traffic is heavier on
weekdays, while Turnpike traffic is heavier on weekends.
Guy Olsen, PE (NJ)