Turnpike scraps lane expansion, saves $500M on Newark Bay plan

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The basics:

• Turnpike Authority scraps plans for new travel lanes east of Interchange 14A
• Revised plan adds direct ramps connecting Turnpike to port facilities
• Changes expected to save about $500 million while improving safety
• Project funded entirely by toll revenues—with no taxpayer dollars used

Gov. Phil Murphy and New Jersey Turnpike Authority Board Chair Fran O’Connor announced Dec. 19 major revisions to the Newark Bay–Hudson County Extension Improvements Program.

The update calls for eliminating plans to add new travel lanes east of Interchange 14A. Instead, the work would creating new direct ramps connecting Interchange 14A to port facilities in Bayonne and Jersey City.

Officials say they expect the changes to save approximately $500 million while improving safety, reducing congestion and separating port truck traffic from local vehicles. The program uses no city, county, state or federal tax dollars.

NJBIZ previously reported on the Improvements Program. The work comprises multiple independent projects aimed at improving safety and sustainability, relieving traffic congestion, accommodating current and future growth, and more for the Newark Bay-Hudson County Extension.

The critical 8.1-mile span opened in 1956.

The first phase of the project includes the full replacement of the roadway, ramps and bridges on the western half of the Extension. It covers between the main line of the Turnpike at Interchange 14 in Newark and Interchange 14A in Bayonne and Jersey City. That work includes the replacement of the Vincent R. Casciano Bridge over Newark Bay with twin cable stayed bridges.

The Dec. 19 announcement does not alter that first project, with construction slated to begin in 2026.

Finding opportunity

Officials say some of the money saved by eliminating the additional travel lanes in Project 2A will deliver the port-direct ramps. Meanwhile, savings will also fund other infrastructure projects in Hudson and Essex counties.

“The Newark Bay-Hudson County Extension Improvements Program is a critical investment in our regional infrastructure that expands access to our ports and airport while keeping up with the pace of residential and commercial development in Jersey City, Bayonne, and Newark,” said Murphy. “The communities adjacent to the Turnpike Extension are growing quickly and our ports are taking on a higher and higher volume of cargo and work.

“After considerable review, we have re-envisioned the projects within the broader program and found a way to make this great investment even better for our residents, infrastructure, and economy.”

The Newark Bay-Hudson County Extension Improvements Program is a critical investment in our regional infrastructure that expands access to our ports and airport while keeping up with the pace of residential and commercial development in Jersey City, Bayonne, and Newark.

After…

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) December 20, 2025

“After careful review, we saw an opportunity to move truck traffic quickly and safely into and out of the port and reduce the congestion on the bridge and local streets in Bayonne,” said O’Connor, who also serves as commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation. “Whether you’re driving a truck carrying freight to the port or an SUV carrying your kids to soccer practice, if you use Interchange 14A, you will benefit from this change.”

Spreading the wealth

Officials also note that the program does not rely on any city, county, state or federal tax dollars. Funding comes entirely from the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, using toll revenues and Turnpike Authority bonding.

“The revisions we’re announcing today will not increase the overall cost of the program,” said New Jersey Turnpike Authority Executive Director James Carone. “The Turnpike Authority will be able to spread the savings around to Project 2A and other critical infrastructure improvements in the region.”

For the first project, the Turnpike Authority held four public information forums as well as a public hearing. It says it will follow a similar model for Project 2A, along with other future projects in the program.

Local, county and state leaders representing the area as well as labor leaders applauded the revisions.

Good news

“I sincerely thank Gov. Murphy and Department of Transportation Commissioner O’Connor for finding a compromise reflecting the importance of addressing the Jersey City community’s concerns while continuing to invest in critical infrastructure,” said Hudson County Executive Craig Guy. “I will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure transportation improvements move forward responsibly, protect good paying union jobs, and respect the quality of life of our residents.”

“I’m happy that Gov. Murphy and the Turnpike Authority listened to the residents who use Interchange 14A,” said Bayonne Mayor and Hudson County Sheriff-elect Jimmy Davis. “The new ramps will give trucks direct access to the port facilities and keep them out of Interchange 14A. That means that the passenger vehicles that use the interchange to get into and out of Bayonne and Jersey City will no longer be in conflict with those big trucks.

“That will reduce congestion and provide a less stressful trip for people driving through the interchange.”

“These are smart, strategic, well-thought-out revisions being made to the Newark Bay-Hudson County Extension Improvements Program,” said Patrick Kellaher, president of the Hudson County Building & Construction Trades. “The critical work of replacing the deteriorating Newark Bay Bridge and relieving congestion between Interchanges 14 and 14A will go ahead as planned. Union labor is ready and able to do that work and anxious to get started.”

‘Work worth doing’

Greg Lalevee, business manager for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, said work worth doing is work worth doing right.

“The Newark Bay-Hudson County Extension Improvements Program offers a generational opportunity to invest in infrastructure in Hudson and Essex counties,” said Lalevee. “I applaud the governor and the Turnpike Authority for not putting their pencils down as construction on Project 1 approached and for continuing to improve the plans for future projects in the program.”

“The Alliance for Action has been a strong supporter of this program because of the jobs it will create during construction and the jobs it will sustain into the future by providing safe, reliable access to the port and airport,” said Jerry Keenan, president, New Jersey Alliance for Action. “The revised plan will spread the benefits of this program around even further than originally envisioned.

“This program, with these important revisions, is a win for everyone who has a stake in the future of New Jersey’s transportation infrastructure.”