Interstate 280 has a lift bridge that carries the freeway over the Passaic River between Harrison and Newark. This view is on westbound Interstate 280 just east of Newark. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05).
Routing
Interstate 280 links Interstate 80 and the far western suburbs of New York Metro with Newark and Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike. The freeway contains one of the Interstate system's few drawbridges (actually a lift bridge); the bridge crosses the Passaic River between Newark and Harrison.
An interchange with ghost ramps exist in Newark from where the never built New Jersey 75 freeway would have tied from the Interstate 78 to the south.
Source: October 31, 2002 Interstate Route Log and Finders List
Western Terminus - Interstate 80 - near Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey
Perspective from Interstate 280 west
The first in a series of end Interstate 280/begin Interstate 80 advisory signs on westbound. This particular sign bridge, located at Exit 1, also includes signage for the first Interstate 80 westbound exit after Interstate 280, that of Interstate 287. U.S. 46 is a constant on Interstate 80 exit signage throughout northern New Jersey. The U.S. route parallels Interstate 80 throughout most of its routing. Photos taken by AARoads (08/29/05) and Chris Elbert (07/06).
Drawing closer to the Interstate 280 westbound merge onto Interstate 80 west. Traffic bound for Interstate 287 must exit to the right in one mile, even though the actual interchange is another four miles. This is due to the Express/Local configuration of Interstate 80. Photos taken by AARoads (08/29/05) and Chris Elbert (07/06).
The final end/begin signage as Interstate 280 transfers onto Interstate 80 westbound. There is no access to Interstate 80 eastbound via Interstate 280 westbound. The control point, used for Interstate 80 throughout most of northern New Jersey, is the Delaware Water Gap. This geologic point of interest is 45 miles west of here and is the point where Interstate 80 leaves New Jersey and enters Pennsylvania, the Keystone State. Photos taken by AARoads (08/29/05) and Chris Elbert (07/06).
Interstate 280 west merges onto Interstate 80 west. The communities of Parsippany, Rockaway, and Wharton are still to be encountered as Interstate 80 progresses westward out of the greater New York City metropolitan area. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05).
Perspective from Interstate 80 Express east
Eastbound on the Express lanes of Interstate 80 is this sign bridge for Exit 47A/Interstate 280 westbound. Access is granted to Interstate 280 from both versions of Interstate 80. There is no access, however, to Interstate 280 from Interstate 80 westbound. The overheads depicted in the 2005 photograph are the replacements of the original button copy signs (see 1994 vidcap). Through the early to mid-1990s, many button copy signs remained in place throughout the freeway network of the Garden State. These were systematically replaced as the new millennium approached. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05); vidcap taken by Alex Nitzman (05/94).
A second set of advance signs for Interstate 280 east are posted on the express lanes of Interstate 80 east. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05).
Interstate 80 Express eastbound at the beginning of Interstate 280. Unlike the local ramps for Interstate 280, the express ramps shuttle traffic to Interstate 280 from the left-hand side. Interstate 280 will reach West Orange in six miles and the largest city in the Garden State, Newark, in 13 miles. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05).
A single Interstate 280 east trailblazer is posted near the gore point as Interstate 280 pulls away from Interstate 80 Express east. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05).
Perspective from Interstate 80 Local east
Perspective of Exit 47A signage from the Interstate 80 local lanes. Visible in this photograph to the left is an empty sign bridge assembly. This is a remnant of the failed attempt to implement high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes throughout northern New Jersey on Interstates 80 and 287. Governor Christie Whitman signed a bill that removing them from operation due to a lack of usage. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (04/10/00).
Perspective from Interstate 280 east
A mileage sign is posted on eastbound Interstate 280 after it splits from Interstate 80. Distance is provided to Orange, Newark, and Kearny. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05).
The first exit on eastbound Interstate 280 is Exit 1, Edwards Road and New Road. From here, it is about 17 miles east to the eastern terminus at Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike in Kearny. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05).
Eastern Terminus - Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike - Kearny, New Jersey
Perspective from Interstate 280 east
The penultimate exit on eastbound Interstate 280 is Exit 16, Harrison/Newark. This offramp is located immediately after the Passaic River lift bridge. The pull through sign advises of the control city of Jersey City and to New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05).
The final exit on eastbound Interstate 280 is Exits 17A-B, Junction Hudson County Route 508 east to Jersey City and west to Kearny. This is the last exit before toll. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05).
Eastbound Interstate 280 reaches Exit 17A, Junction Hudson County Route 508 east to Jersey City; the next exit is Exit 17B, Junction Hudson County Route 508 west to Kearny. All through traffic must connect to Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike (note the absence of an Interstate 95 shield here). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05).
Eastbound Interstate 280 reaches Exit 17B, Junction Hudson County Route 508 west to Kearny. All through traffic must connect to Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike (again, note the absence of an Interstate 95 shield here). Both of these signs are in need of replacement and are difficult to read. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05).
Interstate 280 eastbound approaches the toll plaza and entrance to the New Jersey Turnpike. The interchange of the New Jersey Turnpike with Interstate 280 is located near the east/west branch split of Interstate 95. The two components of the Turnpike allow for a split of traffic interests between Union City, Hoboken, and the Lincoln Tunnel, from that of points northward including the Meadowlands, Hackensack, and the George Washington Bridge. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05).
After the toll plaza, Interstate 280 ends. A series of ramps connects to Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike: first comes the ramp to the eastern branch of Interstate 95 northbound, which is signed at the time this picture was taken as to Exit 16E, Lincoln Tunnel. Subsequent ramps will connect to Interstate 95 south and the western branch of Interstate 95. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05).
The next ramp connects to Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike south, and the left lane connects to the western branch of Interstate 95 north to Interstate 80 and U.S. 46. Note the use of a button copy Interstate 95 shield, which is rare in New Jersey since many of these kinds of signs have been replaced and also because only a few segments of Interstate 95 was built and signed during the era when button copy was common. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (06/13/05).
Perspective from Interstate 280 west
Interstate 280 westbound, as it begins from the New Jersey Turnpike, has a small advisory sign indicating that motorists have left the New Jersey Turnpike. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05).
The first exit one encounters on westbound Interstate 280 is Exit 17B, Junction Hudson County Route 508, the Newark-Jersey City Turnpike between Kearny and Harrison. For Interstate 280, a draw bridge over the Passaic River is forthcoming between Harrison and the city of Newark. This drawbridge is one of a handful that are utilized throughout the Interstate Highway System and is the only one on the Interstate Highway System within the state of New Jersey. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05).
Westbound Interstate 280 reaches Exit 17B, Junction Hudson County Route 508 west to Kearny. The next exit is Exit 17A, Junction Hudson County Route 508 east to Jersey City. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05).
Shortly thereafter, westbound Interstate 280 reaches Exit 17A, Junction Hudson County Route 508 east to Jersey City. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05).
This is the first reassurance shield to be found along westbound Interstate 280 (located after the Hudson County Route 508 interchange). Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05).
Perspective from Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike north
Traveling north on the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95), the express lanes (inner carriageway) prepare to split into two branches. The western branch provides the connection to Interstate 280, while the eastern branch connects to the Lincoln Tunnel (New Jersey 495). These signs are designed to change as needed if conditions warrant. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (06/26/05).
Use the left lanes to follow the eastern branch north to the Lincoln Tunnel, U.S. 46, and Interstate 80. Use the right lanes to follow the western branch north to Interstate 280, New Jersey 3, and the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (06/26/05).
The three lanes of the inner carriageway split, with each branch of Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike gaining two lanes. Use the western branch to Interstate 280 west to Newark and the Oranges. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (06/26/05).
The outer carriageway/local lanes also prepare to split, with its left lanes shifting onto the western branch of the turnpike. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (06/26/05).
After northbound Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike splits, the next exit on the western branch is Exit 15W, Junction Interstate 280 west to Newark and Kearny. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (06/26/05).
The Pulaski Skyway, which carries U.S. 1 and U.S. 9 over the Hackensack River and Newark Bay, dominates the view as Interstate 95 continues north. Although maps show the split of the western and eastern branches of Interstate 95 as located north of the skyway, the actual separation of the two alignments occurs south of the skyway (even though the two branches remain next to each other until after passing under the skyway). There is no access to U.S. 1-9 from Interstate 95 here except via Exit 14 (Junction Interstate 78/Holland Tunnel). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (06/26/05).
Northbound Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike approaches Exit 15W, Junction Interstate 280, one mile. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (06/26/05).
Since Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike splits between an eastern and western branch, the cars and cars/trucks roadway configuration is discontinued. Therefore each branch carries one carriageway per direction. Depicted here is the Exit 15W ramp from the western branch onto Interstate 280. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Carter Buchanan (06/26/05).
Perspective from Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike north
Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike south (western branch) approaches Interstate 280 at Exit 15W (two miles). Interstate 280 travels below grade to pass under the city street grid of Newark as it travels between the Passaic River and Orange. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05).
Use Interstate 280 west to Newark (civic center, downtown, and cultural institutions) via Exit 15W (two miles). Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05).
Southbound Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike (western branch) meets Interstate 280 at Exit 15W. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05).
The left three lanes of southbound Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike (western branch) continue south toward Elizabeth and Linden, while the right lane is exit only for Exit 15W, Junction Interstate 280 west to Newark. Photo taken by AARoads (08/29/05).
