Louis Berger celebrates opening of newly constructed lanes on New Jersey Turnpike

Morristown, N.J. — The New Jersey Turnpike Authority celebrated the opening of newly constructed lanes on the New Jersey Turnpike between Interchange 6 and 9 with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The $2.3 billion Interchange 6 to 9 Widening Program added three outer lanes in each direction between Interchanges 6 and 8A, and one outer lane in each direction between Interchanges 8A and 9. This program represents the largest widening effort in the 62-year history of the Authority and one of the largest infrastructure projects completed in the Western Hemisphere during the past several years.

“With this widening program, there will be improved traffic flow in an important corridor that links numerous high-volume destinations for commuters,” said Tom Lewis, president of Louis Berger's Group operating company. “Louis Berger is very pleased to have been a part of the planning, design and construction for this program.”

The new lanes widen a total of 35 miles in Burlington, Mercer and Middlesex counties. The improvements will double the capacity of the once chronically congested highway.

Louis Berger was selected to assist the Authority in assessing traffic within this corridor, preparing a plan, performing environmental reviews and securing permits to ensure the highway will accommodate traffic growth during the next 25 years. The firm also developed alternative configurations for five interchanges to improve capacity and provide access to service areas. Other responsibilities included providing final design and post-design services for Interchange 7A. Louis Berger completed preliminary engineering, environmental assessment and documentation services on an accelerated schedule and at $1 million below budget.

The full program, which remains on schedule and under budget, is expected to be completed by Thanksgiving.