NJ highway intersection is nation’s 2nd-worst bottleneck for truckers, report says

FORT LEE — A New Jersey highway interchange has been named the second-worst bottleneck for truckers by a transportation group.

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) said the Route 95/Route 4 interchange in Fort Lee nearly tops the list in the survey that utilized a database of truck GPS data to determine the impact of the intersection on truck traffic.

"It's not the preferred area to have to cross over but it is a direct link into New York and to New England, so it's sort of a road you have to be on in many cases," said Gail Toth, executive director of the New Jersey Motor Truck Association. "If they can avoid it they will."

She blames the older infrastructure and more people using the interchange that was ever intended.

"It would be greatly appreciated if we could get some relief for both the trucks and commuters who have to go on that same road."

According to the bottleneck report, the average speed through the area is 35 mph with an average peak speed of 27 mph and a non-peak speed of 38 mph.

The 42 Freeway (Route 76) coming off the Walt Whitman Bridge and merging with Route 676 interchange in Camden was ranked at #97 on the ATRI list with an average speed of 46 mph.

New Jersey Fast Traffic's Bob Williams, who reports on the delays on a daily basis for New Jersey 101.5, said "it's completely understandable, since trying to maneuver the transition between the George Washington Bridge and 95 and Route 4 is very dangerous considering the restrictions for trucks on the lower level of the GWB."

Williams said signage is insufficient and the ramps are not well equipped to handle the transition.

"You have to slow down and that backs traffic up to the bridge. The right thing to do would be to put signage on the New York side telling truckers to stay to the right. If you're in the left lane coming off the bridge you're done," Williams said.

Toth said the entire northeast's infrastructure is a problem for congestion, but sometimes the cause of some delays is unknown.

"It could be that there is just more people using the infrastructure, or there might be bad weather or it could be that there might be some construction in the area," Toth said.

The worst interchange in the country was Route 285 and Route 85 in Atlanta.

Joe Cutter contributed to this report.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

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