• Northern New Jersey
  

This 2004 photo shows the westbound I-80 at EXIT 64A (NJ 17 northbound) in Hackensack. On the left is the main transmission tower for WABC radio. (Photo by Steve Anderson).

Length:
Constructed:

68.4 miles (110.3 kilometers)
1951-1973

LINKING THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE WITH THE POCONOS: In 1936, the Regional Plan Association first recommended the construction of a network of expressways that were to supplement existing parkways in the New York metropolitan area. Unlike the existing parkways, the expressways were to be open to all traffic. One of the recommended routes was to extend from the George Washington Bridge approach in Fort Lee west to the Delaware Water Gap, and then northwest to Scranton. (This route was to precursor to today's I-80 and I-380.) Through New Jersey, the expressway was to supplement the existing US 46.

After World War II, New Jersey officials, with the assistance of Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA) chairman Robert Moses, revived plans for an east-west expressway from the George Washington Bridge. Specifically, the 1955 Joint Study of Arterial Facilities, organized by the Port of New York Authority and the TBTA, established the blueprints for expressway and bridge construction over the next decade in the New York metropolitan area.

Under the Joint Study, the "Bergen-Passaic Expressway" was proposed as an express route from the George Washington Bridge west to Paterson. The expressway, which was to be constructed in conjunction with the lower level of the George Washington Bridge, was described in the Joint Study as follows:

In New Jersey, the addition of the lower deck to the George Washington Bridge would call for the expansion of the approaches and plaza. The existing highway facilities in Bergen County now handle virtually capacity loads. They would not be able to accommodate anticipated future traffic. George Washington Bridge traffic is expected to grow at a rate of four percent a year; local Bergen County traffic at a higher rate. In order that the interstate and local traffic in 1960 may be accommodated, it would be necessary that the highway system in Bergen County be expanded, particularly for east-west traffic.

A tentative plan agreed upon between the Port Authority, the New Jersey State Highway Department and Bergen County officials calls for a new six-lane, limited-access, east-west highway between existing routes NJ 4 and US 46, with connections to the major existing routes. An interchange would be provided with the Garden State Parkway, and another could be provided with the New Jersey Turnpike if it is extended northward from its present terminus.

The Port Authority has advised the New Jersey State Highway Department that it would provide the state's share of the total estimated cost of $60,000,000 for this proposed new Federal-aid arterial highway. This would be considered as part of the project cost of the lower deck of the George Washington Bridge.

In early 1956, state highway commissioner Dwight R.G. Palmer held of series of meetings in Bergen and Passaic counties, making a strong plea for the Bergen-Passaic Expressway. Three alternative routes were proposed from Fort Lee west to Paterson:

• Existing NJ 4 alignment
  
• Existing US 46 alignment
  
• New alignment, in between NJ 4 and US 46
  

Later in 1956, the Bergen-Passaic Expressway became eligible for inclusion in the National System of Defense and Interstate Highways, making it eligible for 90 percent Federal financing, with the remainder to be financed by the state of New Jersey and the Port Authority. New plans developed by the New Jersey State Highway Department called for an extension of the Bergen-Passaic Expressway west to the Delaware Water Gap.

Originally designated "FAI Corridor 102," the freeway received the preliminary designation I-82 in late 1957. (I-82 continued along the present-day I-80 / I-380 route to Scranton, where it joined I-84.) In mid-1958, when Interstate route plans were finalized through northern Pennsylvania, the New Jersey route was re-designated as part of the transcontinental Interstate 80.

In its 1967 report New Jersey Highway Facts, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) described the purpose of I-80 (now the official name of the road) as follows:

Interstate 80 is the easternmost portion of the transcontinental freeway from San Francisco to a point four miles west of the George Washington Bridge. (Interstate 95 continues to the bridge.) In New Jersey, I-80 will relieve US 46 of through traffic, thereby benefiting both local and commuter traffic.

YESTERDAY AND TODAY… TOP: This 1965 photo shows I-80 at EXIT 34 (NJ 15) in Dover Township. (Photo by New Jersey State Highway Department.) BOTTOM: This 2002 photo shows the same location westbound. (Photo by Doug Kerr, www.gribblenation.com.)

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF I-80: The first piece of I-80 in New Jersey was a 4.9-mile-long, four-lane stretch near Columbia that opened in 1953. This section, part of the old US 611, begins at a toll bridge operated by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, and ends at EXIT 4 (US 46). Some characteristics of this pre-Interstate section include tight curves, abbreviated acceleration and deceleration lanes, and a 50 MPH speed limit.

Later (post-1957) stretches reflected contemporary Interstate-standard design. These stretches, located between the Delaware Water Gap and the George Washington Bridge approach, feature at least six 12-foot-wide lanes (and additional climbing lanes where appropriate), 12-foot-wide paved shoulders, 1200-foot-long acceleration and deceleration lanes, wide medians, and a 70 MPH speed limit. The entire 68-mile length of Interstate 80 through New Jersey, which was completed in November 1973, cost $345 million to construct.

The layouts of the different sections of I-80 between the Delaware Water Gap and the I-95 junction are as follows:

• The original US 611 section between the Delaware River toll bridge and EXIT 4 (US 46) in Columbia is four lanes wide. This section of I-80, which opened in 1953, carries approximately 50,000 vehicles per day (AADT). Because of the substandard nature of the roadway, the speed limit on this section is 50 MPH.
  

• As I-80 comes to an end in Bergen County, it widens to ten lanes between EXIT 62 and EXIT 68 (I-95 / New Jersey Turnpike) in Teaneck. The inner lanes of the 3-2-2-3 configuration are devoted to express traffic, while the outer lanes devoted to local traffic. This section of I-80, which opened in 1964, is the busiest in New Jersey, carrying more than 160,000 vehicles per day (AADT). The speed limit on this section is 55 MPH.
  

EXTENDING TO THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE: In 1964, following four years of construction, a four-mile-link opened to connect the George Washington Bridge approach in Fort Lee with I-80 (Bergen-Passaic Expressway) in Teaneck. The ten-lane section continues the 3-2-2-3 configuration of local and express lanes from the eastern end of I-80. Originally planned as a straight-line route from I-80 to the George Washington Bridge, this section was rerouted after borough officials in Leonia filed suit with the New Jersey State Highway Department, citing that the route would run directly through the business district. The borough officials were successful in forcing the present alignment that curves around the northern boundary of Leonia.

Although this section is locally called "80-95," it is not part of I-80, but rather is signed exclusively as part of I-95. Posting in misc.transport.road, Derrick Stuart received the following letter from the NJDOT:

As you know, I-80 ends at I-95. The guidelines for numbering the Interstate routes have been established by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Officials specifically state that "dual interstate numbering be held to a minimum consistent with proper travel guidance." I-95, a major national north-south Interstate, is the logical terminus of I-80, a major national east-west Interstate highway. Therefore, we have no plans to change the numbering or signing of this section.

This 2002 photo shows the eastbound express lanes of I-80 at EXIT 64 (NJ 17) in Lodi. (Photo by Jim K. Georges.)

THE RISE AND FALL OF THE HOV LANES: In March 1994, the NJDOT opened 10.5 miles of HOV lanes along I-80 between EXIT 34 (NJ 15) in Rockaway Township and EXIT 43 (I-287) in Parsippany. The two HOV lanes, which were constructed in the center median of I-80, cost $100 million to build.

The new HOV lanes were not met with great fanfare. Although traffic continued to build on the general-use lanes, the HOV lanes often went unused. This reflected of variety of factors: lower fuel prices, decentralized suburban development, two-career families and multi-stop commuting. Since the HOV lanes were planned in the early 1980s, carpool usage had plummeted from 18 percent to 8 percent by the mid-1990s. Spurred by angry commuters, local politicians soon demanded the removal of the HOV lanes.

Using the following national criteria established by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the NJDOT undertook studies to analyze the effectiveness of the I-80 HOV lanes as follows:

• Do the HOV lanes encourage carpooling?
  

This 2000 photo shows the westbound I-80 in the quad-carriageway section approaching EXIT 43 (I-287) in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township. Extra lanes were added in this area during the mid-1990s. (Photo by Chris Mason.)

CURRENT AND FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS: From west to east, the NJDOT has planned the following improvement projects on I-80:

• In conjunction with the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission (DRJTBC), the NJDOT plans to widen I-80 to six lanes (three in each direction) from the Delaware Water Gap Bridge east to EXIT 4 (US 46 and NJ 94) in Columbia Township. Studies for the $630 million project were completed in July 2006. However, the I-80 widening project, which would be accompanied by a widening of the Delaware Water Gap Bridge superstructure, likely would not be completed until 2025 at the earliest.
  

• In a project not related to the proposed widening, the NJDOT plans to mill and resurface both directions of I-80 from the Delaware Water Gap Bridge east to milepost 8. The $16.5 million project is scheduled for completion in 2008.
  

This 2004 photo shows the westbound I-80 about one mile east of EXIT 4 (US 46 and NJ 94) in Columbia, Warren County. (Photo by Jim K. Georges.)

REFLECTIONS ON I-80: Chris Blaney, New Jersey contributor to misc.transport.road and nycroads.com, relates the following story:

My dad remembers I-80 as being constructed between EXIT 26 (US 46) in Netcong and EXIT 38 (US 46) in Denville from the early 1960s on. When he was in high school, he and his friends used to use the developing roadbed of I-80 as a model airplane flying field. You can tell, even today, that EXIT 26 (westbound exit only, eastbound entrance only) was the end of the line.

There is a railroad line parallel to US 46 at EXIT 26, which likely inhibited the ability to construct ramps at this location. The former DL&W main line (then Erie-Lackawanna and later Conrail) goes from Netcong to Hackettstown, crossing over I-80 at EXIT 26. The bridge over US 46 (which has a date of 1960) is curved, and quite long to cross over both sides of the divided highway, as well as the railroad. Due to the location of the next exit west, there was apparently no need to construct EXIT 26 as a full interchange.

More from nycroads.com contributor David Jackino, who relates his experiences from the early 1970s in the following excerpt:

I remember when getting across New Jersey from the Poconos via I-80 was a hassle! The road ended very quickly at EXIT 4, and you ended up on US 46. The only reason I mention this is a place called "Hot Dog Johnny's," a diner that still exists in Buttzville.

This 2004 photo shows the westbound I-80 along the Delaware Water Gap, approaching the New Jersey-Pennsylvania border at the Delaware River. Long-range plans call for the widening of this final four-lane section of I-80 in conjunction with the DRJTBC's proposed widening of the Delaware Water Gap Bridge. (Photo by Jim K. Georges.)

RELIEVING I-80 THROUGH PATERSON… I-80 should be widened to eight lanes (four through lanes in each direction) between EXITS 57 A-B (NJ 19 Freeway) and EXIT 60 (NJ 20). Under the present configuration, congestion occurs often on the six-lane section. Widening this section would provide at least eight lanes from the I-95 terminus west to EXIT 53 (NJ 23 Freeway).

THROUGH MORRIS COUNTY… In the paragraphs below, Chris Blaney provides his suggestions for improving I-80 with reversible express toll lanes as follows:

Converting the fourth lane of I-80 from HOV to general purpose between EXIT 34 and EXIT 45 has not helped the horrendous traffic congestion there, and carpooling is out as a viable option. My recommendation is to set up a three-lane reversible express roadway between Netcong (just east of EXIT 27) and I-280 (EXIT 47).

The highway would go from 3-3 and 4-4 configurations to a 3-3-3 configuration. During the morning rush hour, the center roadway would be eastbound, such that six lanes would be provided eastbound, and three lanes would be provided westbound. This setup would be reversed during the evening rush hour, with the provision of six lanes westbound, three lanes eastbound. During non-rush-hour periods, the reversible express lanes would be open to eastbound traffic only.

The express roadways would have occasional crossover ramps to the local lanes of I-80 from either side, but no direct exits to local streets. Trucks would be prohibited from the express lanes, and the width of the roadways would be narrowed to 11 feet. However, full-width shoulders would be provided.

The reversible express lanes would utilize congestion pricing. EZ-Pass would be used to collect a toll of $1.00 for all 20 miles during non-rush-hour periods, and $2.50 during rush-hour periods.

…AND THROUGH THE DELAWARE WATER GAP: The DRJTBC's proposal to widen I-80 to six lanes from EXIT 309 (US 209) in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania east to EXIT 4 (US 46 and NJ 94) in Columbia Township, including the reconstruction of the Delaware Water Gap Bridge, should be implemented immediately. In addition, I-80 should be widened to six lanes west to EXIT 293 (I-380) near Pocono Summit, Pennsylvania.

Chris Blaney proposes a different solution:

To accommodate current and anticipated traffic needs through the Delaware Water Gap area, a new 22-mile-long bypass should be constructed from EXIT 4 (US 46 and NJ 94) in Columbia, New Jersey west to EXIT 293 (I-380) near Pocono Summit, Pennsylvania.

The new four-lane bypass, which would be designed and built to contemporary standards south of the existing I-80, should be constructed within a 400-foot-wide right-of-way. Additional space should be dedicated in the median and on bridges for an eventual expansion to six lanes. A new Delaware River crossing should be constructed using "context-sensitive" design. Service plazas should be constructed just west of the new Delaware River crossing. Finally, in keeping with the express nature of the bypass, interchanges should only be placed at I-380, PA 33, PA 611, and US 46. Once completed, the bypass would receive the I-80 designation. (To expedite construction, tolls would finance the I-80 Delaware Water Gap bypass, and provisions would be made for high-speed EZ-Pass lanes.)

Once the I-80 bypass is completed, the existing four-lane I-80 through the Delaware Water Gap and Stroudsburg should be re-designated I-680. The new I-680, which would then be reconstructed, would serve local traffic and maintain its 55 MPH and 50 MPH speed limits, while the I-80 bypass would serve express traffic and have a 65 MPH speed limit.

SOURCES: "Freeways Are Now Urged," The New York Times (12/13/1936); Joint Study of Arterial Facilities, Port of New York Authority and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (1955); "Plans for Bergen Expressway Stir Protest in Passaic County" by George Cable Wright, The New York Times (1/17/1956); "Jersey Acts To Speed U.S. Aid for Its $388.5 Million Freeway" by George Cable Wright, The New York Times (3/05/1958); "New Roads with New Numbers Will Parallel Old U.S. Routes" by George Cable Wright, The New York Times (9/19/1958); "Saving of $31,000 Yields $25 Million" by George Cable Wright, The New York Times (9/09/1960); Regional Highways: Status Report, Tri-State Transportation Commission (1962); Arterial Progress 1959-1965, Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (1965); New Jersey Highway Facts, New Jersey Department of Transportation (1967); "Missing Link of I-80 Opened in Ceremony Near Columbia," The New York Times (11/09/1973); "Route 19 / Interstate 80 Interchange," Modern Steel Construction (October 1996); "Highway HOV Lanes Seem To Be an Idea Whose Time Has Passed" by Daniel Machalaba, The Wall Street Journal (8/27/1998); "Are HOV Lanes Helping Ease Traffic?" by George Lewis, NBC News (12/01/1998); "DOT's Electronic Signs Finally Get Their Smarts" by Pat R. Gilbert, The Bergen Record (6/22/2000); "Routes 80, 23 Flyover Ramp Opens to Public" by Scott Fallon, The Bergen Record (11/17/2000); "Route 80 Mess To Last Most of Summer" by Jeff Diamant and Mark Mueller, The Star-Ledger (6/24/2001); "DiFrancesco Backs Plan To Expand 65 MPH Speed Limit," The Associated Press (8/15/2001); "Route 80 Mess Nears an End" by Greg Saitz, The Star-Ledger (9/08/2001); "Route 15 Study," New Jersey Department of Transportation (2001); "Long and Winding Road to Improving I-287" by Rob Jennings, The Daily Record (3/12/2006); North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority; Chris Blaney; Phil Case; Frank Curcio; Rich Dean; Brian Inderwies; David Jackino; Michael G. Koerner; Raymond C. Martin; Christopher G. Mason; Richard C. Moeur; Dan Moraseski; Mike Moroney; Jim Padykula; Len Pundt; Ira Smilovitz; Derrick Stuart; William F. Yurasko.

• I-80, I-95, and I-680 shields by Ralph Herman.
  
• Lightposts by Millerbernd Manufacturing Company.
  
• HOV sign by C.C. Slater.
  

INTERSTATE 80 LINKS:

• I-80 (AAroads.com)
  
• I-80 (New Jersey) (Steve Alpert)
  
• I-80 (New Jersey) (David Golub)
  
• I-80 (New Jersey) (Doug Kerr)
  
• I-80 EXIT 4 (US 46 and NJ 94) in Columbia, NJ (Michael G. Koerner)
  
• I-80 (Pennsylvania) (Jeff Kitsko)
  
• I-80 Straight Line Diagram (New Jersey Department of Transportation)
  
• I-80 (Delaware Water Gap) Toll Bridge Widening Study (Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission)
  
• Interstate Plans (1955 "Yellow Book" map) (Adam Froehlig)
  

INTERSTATE 80 CURRENT TRAFFIC MAPS:

• Northern New Jersey
  

INTERSTATE 80 VIDEOS:

• I-80 (New Jersey) (Jim K. Georges)
  
• I-80 (New Jersey) (Dan Murphy)
  
• I-80 (New Jersey) (Tom Valazak)
  

THE EXITS OF METRO NEW YORK:

• I-80 (New Jersey) exit list by Steve Anderson.
  

• George Washington Bridge (I-95, US 1, and US 9)
  

Back to The Roads of Metro New York home page.

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