Why not? This article will explore the Economic Benefits, Environmental Impact, and Demographics of widening Interstate 95 in southern New Jersey. Read on to find out. This article was written by a project manager working on the Interstate 95 project for over a decade. Roth says a more comprehensive interstate will boost the economy in the region. It will help the area compete internationally.
Economic benefits
The economic benefits of widening I95 in southern NJ are numerous. The project began in 2009 but was not completed until 2014. It cost $2.5 billion and included bonding and higher tolls. Further bonding is unlikely, however. This project has already been controversial. The benefits to local communities are significant, however. It’s important to note that some cities may experience fewer economic benefits from widening I95 than others.
The overall project will cost more than $500 million. It will include resurfacing 1.2 miles of Interstate and building new bridges. The project will consist of traffic-calming measures such as curb ramps and bicycle lanes. It will also remove the old on-ramp to southbound I-95 from Princeton Avenue. In addition, the highway will be more comprehensive than before, with one northbound and two southbound lanes.
The project will include a bridge over the Hudson River. It will also upgrade the interchanges at both ends of the bridge, install noise walls, add shoulders for emergencies, and connect canal paths on both sides of the river. In addition, the project will include a bike/pedestrian path and connect canal paths on both sides of the river. As part of this project, an archeological dig was conducted in April and July 2011. While there were fewer artifacts than initially anticipated, the project has already generated a lot of publicity for the region.
The highway was initially intended to run the length of the East Coast, but local lawmakers in Mercer County, New Jersey, stymied the project. The project was delayed until the 1970s, but now it is the state’s pride and joy. It has become one of the most significant projects in the region. But the economic benefits of widening I95 in southern New Jersey are still unknown.
Costs
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority is tackling congestion by widening I-95 in Bayonne and Jersey City. With New York City’s population reaching record highs and set to hit nine million people in 30 years, the state must do something to deal with congestion. The $4.7 billion project would allow more cars to pass the Holland Tunnel. However, biking and environmental groups oppose this project. They claim that it will increase New Jersey traffic and increase air pollution.
The reconstruction of 1.4 miles of I-95 between Torresdale Avenue and Bleigh Avenue began in August 2012. The project also included replacing three structurally deficient bridges and widening one. Additionally, the project involved the construction of a new on-ramp to southbound I-95 from Princeton Avenue. It also included constructing 13 retaining walls and installing stormwater drainage pipes. Construction is expected to be completed sometime in the Summer of 2017.
In addition to taking up extra land along the right-of-way, the project would lose homes, businesses, and historic churches. While some areas are fortunate enough to have ample land for development, others would have to be eliminated. In addition, residents would lose parking lots in the Island Beach and Horseneck areas and homes close to Exit 5.
The cost to the state is estimated at $1.2 billion. While this figure is high, the project is crucial for the state’s economy and the area’s future. While the state’s economy is in deep trouble, tolling the highway may prove a profitable solution. But a toll increase is not widespread. The Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey and a labor union representing 1,500 turnpike workers argue that the project is necessary to keep the region moving forward.
Environmental impact
Several environmental groups have filed a formal rule-making petition to stop the Turnpike Authority from widening I95 in southern New Jersey. They also criticized the Turnpike Authority’s rules and website for not mentioning climate change, environmental justice, and pollution. These organizations argued that the projects are incompatible with environmental justice and green energy policies and should be stopped. These projects will negatively impact New Jersey for decades to come if approved.
While environmental groups and other stakeholders fought the widening project, they were successful. A revised plan was crafted to preserve existing trees and stone walls, adding a shoulder to the highway. The new design also kept the historic farmhouse, converting it into a visitor’s center and generating tourism dollars for the town. The original plan would have cost the community a million dollars in lost tourism revenue. The new design preserved the town’s aesthetic integrity and increased safety and capacity.
The project will cause flooding along the Delaware River, causing harm to spawning habitats for endangered species. The project will also affect the environment by introducing more greenhouse gasses and a loss of land. These are just a few environmental effects of widening I95 in southern New Jersey. Fortunately, several options are available to reduce or eliminate the environmental impact.
Although the DRJTBC plans to build four-lane bridges over I-95 in southern New Jersey, it did not consider the changes in traffic patterns in the area. The project’s environmental impact reports have been completed. It was initially planned to begin construction in 2008 and finish in two years. The project will take up to two years to complete. It is currently estimated to cost about $700 million.
Demographics
The Census’s most recent data, gathered from 2010, shows that the ethnic and racial composition of southern New Jersey is growing more diverse. Although the Census counts race and ethnicity, it also tracks Hispanic/Latinx status as a separate category. In other words, respondents of this racial and ethnic group can be of any race, reflecting the area’s increasing diversity.
New Jersey is home to nearly eight million residents, with a population density of over one person per square mile. This makes the state one of the most densely populated states in the country. Its population is also highly diverse, with over 21 percent of the population identifying as foreign-born. Italians, for example, are the largest immigrant ethnic group in the state. While the state has a diverse ethnic makeup, the population of southern New Jersey is predominantly white.
The state is home to a diverse population, including the country’s largest population of Latino and black people. In addition, the state is home to the nation’s second-largest Muslim population, second largest Jewish population after New York, and has the largest Cuban population outside of Florida. Lastly, New Jersey is home to many Portuguese, Brazilian, and Asian American residents. As a whole, the median age is 39.5 years old.
The population of the three major metropolitan areas of southern New Jersey is relatively dense and pleasant. While older suburban areas exhibit signs of urban blight, newer suburbs have grown to accommodate the growing industrial population. However, while the state’s largest cities, such as Newark, continue to attract residents, many suburban towns and cities remain bedroom communities for New York City and the neighboring cities. Newark, for instance, doubles in size daily, and thousands of New Jerseyans cross the Hudson River to visit New York City. They watch television, root for New York athletic teams, and patronize New York and its businesses.
Underfunding
The underfunding of I-95 in southern New Jersey is a significant problem that will continue to plague the region until the federal government focuses on other matters. For example, a state highway department delayed responding to a snowstorm for several days. But when the storm finally hit, the VDOT could dispatch heavy-duty wreckers to the worst backups. That helped alleviate some of the inconveniences.
The proposed $11 billion Gateway rail tunnel is one of several projects in southern New Jersey to repair century-old rail passages damaged by Sandy. But Trump has opposed the Obama administration’s funding for the project, and Christie, R., killed an earlier tunnel project. If the tunnel collapses, it would have disastrous consequences for the regional and national economies. So, while completing I-95 will prevent further economic damage, it will not be sufficient to ensure the region’s continued growth.
To improve travel times, the project will also include bridge replacement in Bristol Township and the construction of multiple flyover ramps to bridge the missing links. The new road will help drivers stay on a single continuous route. Drivers can expect the project’s first phase to open in late summer or early fall 2018.
The proposed Blue Route conceived nearly three decades ago, but it took almost thirty years. The environmental impact study required ten years. The study considered 13 alternative routes, housing, red-bellied turtles, and waterfront issues. By 2008, the preliminary design was ready. It has since undergone three stages: conceptual, initial, and final. This project will finally be completed in seven years.
