Anyone who has tried exiting from eastbound Route 24 to turn left onto southbound Park Avenue during rush hour knows how hair-raising it can be crossing westbound traffic on Columbia Turnpike.
New ramps, signage and barrier islands can improve safety at that crash-prone interchange, according to the state Department of Transportation.
The DOT is soliciting public comments through Dec. 14, 2020, with hopes of completing planning over the winter and proceeding with engineering next fall.
Financing and construction of the project, which spans parts of Morris Township, Florham Park and Hanover, will be Morris County’s responsibility, the DOT says.
This DOT video shows how the improvements are intended to work:
Here is how DOT explains the proposed changes:
NJDOT determined that a new ramp will be constructed to connect Route 24 Eastbound to and from Park Avenue at a new signalized T-intersection located south of the Columbia Turnpike/Park Avenue intersection. This new two-way ramp will connect to the existing ramps to and from Route 24 Eastbound and Columbia Turnpike Eastbound.
The existing ramps will be modified. New signage will direct Route 24 Eastbound drivers bound for Park Avenue Southbound to stay on the highway and take the next exit (Columbia Turnpike Eastbound) to access the new ramp to Park Avenue. This will eliminate weaving on Columbia Turnpike Westbound and reduce accidents and delays at the Columbia Turnpike/Park Avenue intersection.
A physical separator such as a curbed island will be constructed on Columbia Turnpike Westbound to prevent exiting traffic from Route 24 Eastbound from weaving across traffic to the left. Drivers will have the option of staying on Columbia Turnpike or turning right onto Park Avenue Northbound.
The existing ramp from Columbia Turnpike Eastbound to Route 24 Eastbound will be closed and signage will direct drivers to use the new ramp connection on Park Avenue.
To accommodate the increase in traffic from Columbia Turnpike Eastbound to Park Avenue Southbound, two right turn lanes will be provided at the Columbia Turnpike/Park Avenue intersection.
How will westbound traffic on Columbia Turnpike turn south on Park Avenue?