Plan Modifications Announced
On Friday, Governor Phil Murphy revealed significant revisions to the $10.6 billion New Jersey Turnpike extension proposal. The most debated aspect of the plan—adding travel lanes east of Interchange 14A—has been eliminated entirely.
In a joint statement with Transportation Commissioner Fran O'Connor, Murphy explained that the updated blueprint will instead create a direct connection between the Turnpike Extension and port facilities in Bayonne and Jersey City.
Bridge Replacement Proceeds
The initial phase of the project remains unchanged. This $6.2 billion component involves constructing twin cable-stay bridges to replace the 69-year-old Newark Bay span. Work on this segment could commence in Spring 2026.
Additionally, fourteen other bridges between Exit 14 in Newark and 14A in Bayonne will be replaced as part of this effort. Each new structure will feature four lanes.
Murphy and O'Connor emphasized that today's announced revisions will not impact the bridge replacement project in any manner.
Financial Reallocation
Approximately $500 million saved from canceling the widening between Exits 14A and 14C will fund new ramps linking Interchange 14A to Bayonne's ports. Designated as Project 2A, this initiative aims to separate truck traffic heading to port facilities from local vehicles using the interchange.
"The new ramps will give trucks direct access to the port facilities and keep them out of Interchange 14A," stated Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis. "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."
He added that this change "will reduce congestion and provide a less stressful trip for people driving through the interchange."
The remaining $4 billion will support other Turnpike Authority infrastructure projects in Hudson and Essex Counties, including improvements to the Western Spur, Harry Laderman Bridge, and Bayview Avenue Bridge at Interchange 14B.
"The Turnpike Authority will be able to spread the savings around to Project 2A and other critical infrastructure improvements in the region," commented James Carone, Turnpike Authority Executive Director.
Community Reactions
The original widening proposal faced opposition from officials in Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, and various local organizations concerned about traffic and pollution impacts on neighborhoods. Bayonne Mayor Davis supported the project.
A 2023 Environmental Impact Study concluded the project would have minimal adverse effects on adjacent areas, air quality, noise, or traffic. However, critics questioned the accuracy of pre-pandemic traffic data used in environmental assessments and requested updated studies in 2025.
The Turnpike Extension serves as one of two primary highway routes connecting to the Holland Tunnel.
Opposition groups EmpowerNJ and the Turnpike Trap Coalition expressed disagreement about the width and necessity of the new bridges.
"The NJTA should repair or replace the existing bridge without expanding it," the organizations declared. "While the outgoing Governor correctly decided not to expand the Turnpike east of Exit 14-A, the plan to expand and double the capacity of the Newark Bay Bridge now makes even less sense."
They warned that four lanes of traffic from the new bridge merging onto two highway lanes could force vehicles through residential areas. "The increased traffic on the expanded Bridge will cause even more cars to cut through local Jersey City streets to reach the Holland Tunnel worsening Jersey City's already bad traffic and air," they cautioned.
Political Responses
Hudson County elected officials thanked O'Connor and Murphy for considering constituent concerns.
"Between concerns about induced demand, climate impact, and traffic impacts on the Jersey City and Hoboken communities, I have long opposed the Turnpike expansion as previously proposed," said State Senator Raj Mukherji, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. "I am so deeply appreciative to the Governor and Commissioner for keeping an open mind."
He described the plan revision as "a welcome change."
State Senator Angela McKnight characterized the modifications as "a great compromise."
"These changes strengthen our infrastructure while keeping community well-being front and center and delivering significant cost savings," she noted. "Streamlining the flow of truck and local traffic at Interchange 14A with these new ramps will reduce congestion, improve safety for drivers, and make port operations more efficient."
Labor leaders also praised the announcement for enhancing the plan and allocating savings to additional infrastructure projects.
Ongoing Concerns
Despite the revisions, opponents worry that bottlenecks between the four-lane bridge and two-lane extension might eventually generate pressure to expand the Turnpike east of Bayonne.
"This is a P.R. stunt, not a compromise, that was announced without any input from the community or opponents of the project," asserted EmpowerNJ and the Turnpike Trap Coalition. "Nothing prevents the Turnpike Authority from changing its mind when there will be demands to expand the Turnpike east of 14A because of increased bridge traffic."
The project originated in the Turnpike Authority's 2020 capital plan.
Supporters highlighted that approximately 80% of the extension relies on elevated structures from the 1950s nearing the end of their service life.
In 2017, the Newark Bay bridge required emergency closure for 36 hours after the eastbound deck dropped several inches due to displaced support bearings.
In May 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard issued a Finding of No Significant Impact for the project.
