More Lanes, Less Traffic

A massive widening program should alleviate congestion on a 35-mile segment of the New Jersey Turnpike and prepare the region for projected traffic increases in the coming decades. Urban provided construction management and inspection services to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, in partnership with HNTB, for work on Interchange 8, in East Windsor.

The Reconstruction

The program entails widening the roadway from three lanes to six lanes in each direction between Interchanges 6 and 9. Improvements at Interchange 8 — designed to benefit locals and commuters —included construction of a new LEED Certified toll plaza building, access ramps to NJ State Routes 33 and 133, and New Jersey’s first Single Point Urban Intersection (SPUI) fly-over bridge. About 4,700 feet of NJ Route 33, 2,700 feet of NJ Route 133, and surrounding roads were reconstructed. One highlight of the project is the new 258-foot-long, single span curved girder structure supporting the direct connection from Route 133 to the new Interchange 8 toll plaza.  

Civil work included installation of major drainage structures and culverts; wick drains to facilitate soil settlement; and retaining walls.  Electrical work revolved around installation of two new signalized intersections, overhead lighting, and temporary signals during construction. 

Progressive Partnerships

Urban oversaw complex staging and multiple traffic shifts implemented to maintain traffic on Route 33, Route 133, and local roadways throughout construction. Utility coordination was also critical, particularly work related to telecommunications lines, which threatened to delay the project.   

Utility conflicts resulted in unexpected modifications to intersection configurations. Urban played a key role helping secure approval for these changes from the New Jersey Department of Transportation. We worked closely with the Traffic Signal and Safety Engineering Group as well as the Regional Electrical Coordinator. These approvals helped keep the project moving forward.

Highlights

• Phased bridge construction
• Coordination with local authorities
• Environmental concerns
• Multiple mainline traffic shifts