HUDSON COUNTY – Easier travel and a better local economy were two of the reasons touted as needs for the $310 million New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s Interchange 14A Improvement Project, which broke ground on Wednesday, March 10, at 51st Street and Avenue E in Bayonne.
City, county, and state officials gathered at the site underneath the Turnpike connector ramp to Route 440 to move earth and explain what the expected three-year project will mean for Bayonne, Jersey City, and beyond.
Bayonne Mayor James Davis, Jersey City Deputy Mayor Vivian Brady-Phillips, County Executive Thomas DeGise, State Sen. Sandra Cunningham, and New Jersey Transportation Commissioner Jamie Foxx were among the attendees.
“This is a great day for the city of Bayonne,” Davis said. “This will allow us to develop the [former] Military Ocean Terminal and will allow our city to grow.”
Davis thanked county and state officials who worked hard to get the project funded and started.
“This will have a tremendous impact for Jersey City,” said Brady-Phillips, representing Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop.
Brady-Phillips said Jersey City was seeing “tremendous growth” and that the reconstruction of the Turnpike exchange, which is partially on Jersey City land, will mean much for her town.
“Thanks to all those here for making this happen and for this investment,” she said.
Foxx said the 14A project was important because the state needs to invest in its urban areas.
“This will help the quality of life continue in the state,” he said.
When completed, the toll plaza will be widened from 11 to 13 lanes, and the existing two-lane connector bridge will be replaced with a four-lane structure. Additionally, a traffic signal at East 53rd Street in Bayonne will be removed and replaced with a roundabout which is expected to make entry and exit from the interchange more efficient. – Joseph Passantino
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