George Washington Bridge Approach (I-95)

Between the Northern Mixing Bowl and the George Washington Bridge, I-95 is toll-free. This road is considered a northern extension of the New Jersey Turnpike, although the exit numbers are different. US 46 is the original end of the NJ Turnpike (original Exit 18), and is the technical end of the NJ Turnpike mainline.

While the numbers seem to be a continuation of the I-80 exit numbers, these numbers are a holdover from the originally proposed alignment of I-95 on the Somerset Freeway. The proof is that I-95 northbound has Exit 68 for Challenger Road, and I-95 southbound has Exit 69 for I-80. Had the Somerset Freeway been built, I-95 and I-80 would have been within a short distance of one another in terms of their mileposts and exit numbers. The exit numbers are thus retained for convenience's sake, especially for I-80 traffic.

If I would change the exit numbers, I would only change I-95 exit numbers between the Northern Mixing Bowl and I-80 to be continuous with the New Jersey Turnpike mainline. From I-80 to the GWB, the exits are allowed to keep their numbers for convenience's sake, even if technically incorrect because I-80 doesn't reach the bridge.

My exit numbers:

Exit 20 - US 46

*this originally would have been Exit 19, but Exit 19W was commissioned, so I had to adjust. US 46 is the original northern terminus of the NJ Turnpike and was Exit 18, which has since moved to the toll plaza and split into 18E/18W.

Exit 20A - Challenger Road (northbound only)

Exit 21 - I-80

*no southbound exit number, exit number for northbound traffic only

Enough with that, time to get on the road.

New Jersey Turnpike I-95 Extension:

I-95 has a large junction with I-80, signed as Exit 69 southbound. The express and local lanes from I-80 continue all the way to the bridge, with a catch. The express lanes become the upper level of the bridge, and the local lanes become the lower level of the bridge. There are partial crossovers at Exit 72 to allow the local lanes to reach the upper level (but not from the express lanes to the lower level).  North of this junction, I-95 turns east-west per the compass, with compass east corresponding to signed north (and vice versa).

The famous Edgewood Avenue arch bridge.

 

From the NB Local Lanes / Lower Level Exit 72 is this gem of a structure. This is the first three-level interchange in New Jersey. Of additional interest is the middle level, a 1930s-era bridge carrying modern I-95, but used to carry NJH 4. This bridge is one of the last of its kind in New Jersey. Interchange 72 is where I-95 meets US 1-9/46, NJ 4, and US 9W.

When I-95 passes under Fletcher Avenue (US 9W), NJTA jurisdiction ends and Port Authority jurisdiction begins.  The New Jersey Turnpike officially ends here. I consider this the "end" of the express-local configuration and the "start" of the upper level-lower level approaches. This entire area is one giant tangle known as the George Washington Bridge Plaza, where multiple routes meet combined with local access to and from the bridge. Each section of Bridge Plaza has its own unique features; I'll split the I-95 sections of Bridge Plaza here.

I-95 NB (and US 1-9/46) to GWB Upper Level

Trucks and HAZMAT vehicles are given one final chance to head to the Upper Level of the bridge. Exit 73 is the final exit on I-95 in New Jersey.

Low clearances on I-95.

Higgins Alley is an extra ramp from the Central Avenue onramp to a large area of pavement that either carries HOV traffic in the morning rush hour or serves as an oversize load staging area. Interesting how even the littlest of slip ramps has a name.

The toll plaza for the bridge. These are being dismantled in favor of high-speed all-electronic tolling.

BGSs due for placement.

All-electronic toll gantries.

The grand George Washington Bridge. Midspan, US 46 ends and I-95 together with US 1-9 cross into New York.

I-95 SB (and US 1-9/46) from GWB Upper Level:

Exit 74 for the Palisades Interstate Parkway is only accessible from the Upper Level. There is an Exit 74 on the Lower Level, with a catch.

I-95 SB (and US 1-9/46) from GWB Lower Level:

Entering New Jersey from the Lower Level. Drivers are greeted with the seal of the state.

Signage on the Lower Level is narrower because of clear vertical constraints.

After the bridge, the Lower Level becomes a tunnel.

An LGS indicates the three major routes that lead to the bridge. To stay on the through route, drivers from the Lower Level are advised to use the center lane because of left and right exits at Bridge Plaza.

Exit 74 does exist on the Lower Level, but there's a catch: Exit 74 is combined into Exit 73, and the whole thing is signed as Exit 73.

Left and right exits... how does the Lower Level go through? Oh wait... there was a sign for I-95.

This is what I mean by Exit 74 southbound being Exit 73. There could be a way to sign "Exit 74" as US 9W north to the Palisades Interstate Parkway.

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