New Jersey...
NJ 18 - Memorial Parkway - New Brunswick:
Summary:
NJ 18 is a freeway except for the segment between US 9 in Old Bridge and New St in downtown New Brunswick. Of this distance, the majority, from US 9 to the NJ Turnpike, is a crowded 6-lane divided road with constant signals and businesses. However, the NJ 18 from the Turnpike to New St is an expressway with no driveways. It is planned to be upgraded soon, and surveying stakes are in the ground marking the path of the upgrade, yet it will probably still be an expressway. From New Street to NJ 172, there will be local and express lanes. The NJ 171 signal will be replaced with an interchange, extending the freeway segment down to Carpender Rd, but the Paulus Blvd signal as well as the at-grades south of NJ 172 will remain. In 2001, the 11 homes along this part of the highway were demolished. A few trees were planted on the parts of the property that won't be used for the highway.
History and Construction Schedule:
| Date |
Activity |
|
1953 - 1955 |
Memorial Parkway
constructed in New
Brunswick |
|
2005 |
Upgrade planned to begin |
|
2008 |
Estimated completion of
upgrade |
Junction Log:
| Junction |
Type of Access |
|
NJ Turnpike |
double trumpet |
|
Tower Center Blvd |
signal. This serves two
office building towers,
a Hilton Hotel, and a
large parking deck, as
well as the local
residences in the area |
|
US 1 |
Big confusing
interchange with
businesses on some of
the ramps |
|
Crest Rd |
at-grade on southbound;
no median break |
|
Paulus Blvd |
signal |
|
Dewey Dr |
at-grade on southbound;
no median break |
|
Carpender Rd |
2 at-grades on
northbound for this
residential loop road;
no median breaks |
|
NJ 172 (Clifton Rd) |
y-interchange |
|
NJ 171 (Commercial Ave) |
signal with jug handle;
future interchange |
|
Tabernacle Way |
at-grade on southbound;
no median break |
|
New St |
trumpet; this begins the
route 18 freeway |
NJ 18 - Piscataway:
June 2004 Construction Pictures:
The following pictures were taken on 6/12/04, two days after the first segment of the new freeway opened to traffic. I followed River Road into the construction area, made a left onto the ramp for NJ 18 north, and followed the new highway. I then made a left at Hoes Lane, made a u-turn, and came back along NJ 18 south, following the freeway into New Brunswick.
Pictures: (click here)
November 2004 Construction Pictures:
I took these pictures during the first week of November. I followed NJ 18 north from New Brunswick into Piscataway and, after traveling around some of the ramps at the new Livingston Campus interchange (which did not exist in June), and drove back down NJ 18 southbound onto the existing freeway in New Brunswick.
Northbound NJ 18 in Piscataway Pictures: (click here)
Around the ramps at the Livingston Campus exit Pictures: (click here)
Southbound NJ 18 in Piscataway Pictures: (click here)
Sources:
Page written by Eric Smith.
Last Updated: 11/15/05
Comments:
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