Is a New Jersey Turnpike project that's affecting traffic on Route 18 on time? Ask @CommutingLarry
With road construction comes the inevitable congestion, but is the wrong project being blamed for traffic on Route 18? Which project is the culprit and is it on schedule? Let's check that ticking sound in the @CommutingLarry mailbag.
While construction of a new bridge carrying Route 18 over Route 1 has received the attention and some of the blame for traffic, reader Jim Coliazzi said back-ups are due to the New Jersey Turnpike Interchange 9 project and asked for an update on it.
He contends that project is the real culprit for backing up Route 18 as far south as Piscataway and has prompted drivers to detour as far away as South Brunswick to avoid traffic from it.
"This was supposed to be done this year after two miserable years," Coliazzi wrote, adding he is skeptical of that deadline being met.
Q: Do you have any idea when this will finally be finished?
A: We asked Tom Feeney, a spokesman for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, for an update and your instincts were correct, Jim.
"The Interchange 9 project is about 75 percent complete. The estimated completion date is August 15, 2016," Feeney said. "The project has been held up by utility company delays."
Specifically the hold-up is waiting for utilities to move underground lines, he said.
GOT QUESTIONS?
Ticked off about mass transit? Wondering about road construction? E-mail your questions to NJ.com's transportation expert Larry Higgs. He'll answer your questions on Tuesdays and Thursdays on NJ.com. You can also Tweet @CommutingLarry.Meanwhile, there has been a little traffic relief.
Traffic on Route 18 north was shifted into its permanent configuration over the new bridge on Monday, Feeney said. That expanded the highway from two to three lanes, he said.
Southbound traffic to Naricon Place and the Turnpike now has a dedicated exit lane, he said. Those changes should improve traffic in both directions on Route 18, Feeney said.
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Whether it's about plans to eliminate two troublesome merges on Route 24 or mass transit troubles, you can ask us commuting related questions.
Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
