Department of Transportation


50th anniversary graphic

Through the Years - 2010s

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has a rich history of designing, constructing and maintaining one of the most advanced and heavily used transportation networks in the country. But the future poses many transportation challenges and opportunities including an aging infrastructure, increased congestion, the efficient use of resources and funding, application of cutting edge technologies, and evolving with the changes in social, economic and environmental values. Commissioner Rick Hammer is leading the Department to meet these many challenges and ensure the Department moves into the future as one of the country's top transportation agencies.

James S. Simpson, Joseph Bertoni and Jamie Fox led the Department through the early part of this current decade.

james simpson photo
James S. Simpson
2010 - 2014
joseph bertoni photo
Joseph Bertoni
2014, 2015*
jamie fox photo
Jamie Fox
2014 - 2015
richard hammer photo
Richard T. Hammer
2015 - present

2010:

  • Route 36 Highlands Bridge Replacement opened. The previous moveable span bridge was built in 1932 and often caused delays by bridge openings. The new fixed-span bridge provides a 65-foot vertical clearance over the Shrewsbury River channel and eliminates highway and marine conflicts.

2011:

  • The National Complete Streets Coalition ranked New Jersey as having the number one Complete Streets policy in the nation. NJDOT developed the Complete Streets policy and finalized it in December 2009.

2012:

  • NJDOT completed the Route 52 Causeway Bridge Replacement project which connects Somers Point and Ocean City. The project began at the intersection of Routes 9 and 52 in Somers Point, continues through the Somers Point Circle (which was eliminated in this project) and over the Great Egg Harbor to Ocean City at Ninth Street and Bay Avenue. Two fixed and two moveable bridges were replaced by two bridges that have two high fixed spans over Ship Channel and Beach Thorofare with a touchdown point on Rainbow Island.  

2013:

  • Superstorm Sandy ravaged New Jersey in October 2012 with the hardest hit locations of New Jersey’s state highway system along coastal Route 35 from Point Pleasant Beach to Island Beach State Park and along Route 36 from Sea Bright to Long Branch. In Mantoloking, the storm surge washed entirely across the Barnegat Peninsula in three locations, breaching three sections of Route 35. The largest breach created a channel between the Atlantic Ocean and the Barnegat Bay at the intersection with Route 528. Permanent repairs were completed at the largest breach within two months. A 12.5 mile reconstruction of Route 35 began in July 2013 to repair the damage from Superstorm Sandy.
  • The long awaited I-295/I-76/Route 42 Direct Connection project began which will provide a seamless route for I-295 motorists traveling through the interchange of I-295, Route 42 and I-76 in Bellmawr, Mt. Ephraim and Gloucester City. The project is anticipated to be completed in 2023.

2014:

  • The Pulaski Skyway rehabilitation project began with the closure of the two northbound lanes followed by the closure of the southbound lanes when the northbound lanes reopened in 2016. The project will improve road and travel conditions in both the northbound and southbound lanes across the deck of the 3.5-mile bridge. Project completion is expected in 2020.

2015:

  • A Twitter account, @NJDOT_info, was made available by NJDOT as another tool to help the motoring public, providing Department information and updates on road conditions, construction updates, emergency road work and NJDOT news.
  • Construction began on the eastbound Mathis Bridge, one of a pair of bridges carrying Route 37 over Barnegat Bay between Toms River and Seaside Heights. Mathis Bridge, a mile-long double leaf bascule moveable span, was completed in 1950 and is older than the westbound Tunney Bridge and in need of repairs including a deck replacement. Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2018.

2016:

  • The Route 3, Route 46, Valley Road and Notch/Rifle Camp Road Interchange Improvements Project started construction and is expected to be completed in Fall 2022. The project includes construction of a new two-way service road, three signalized intersections and two single-lane roundabouts parallel to Route 46 westbound to remove local traffic from the state highway.
  • The I-287/I-78, I-287/Routes 202/206 Interchange Improvements Project began and will enhance safety and improve traffic operations between the existing I-287 interchanges with I-78 and Route 202/206 in Bridgewater and Bedminster, Somerset County when completed in late 2019.

Direct Connection graphic

*Acting Commissioner



Last updated date: August 21, 2019 11:43 AM