Approaching NJ 18 from River Road eastbound. As an interesting side note, River Road has seen many numerical designations over the years, gradually decreasing in its importance. It has gone from NJ 18 to Temporary NJ 18 to State Secondary Route 514 Spur to Middlesex County Route 622.
Interchange construction at River Road.
This onramp will take River Road traffic onto NJ 18 Southbound.
This ramp leads from River Road to NJ 18 northbound.
The nice black lights are one of many aesthetics features on the new freeway.
Merging into NJ 18 northbound.
The mileage sign on the right refers to the mileage that a completed NJ 18 freeway would have. However, the segment from NJ 138 to NJ 34 just north of the NJ 35 / NJ 70 junction currently has an unknown status. Route 18 currently begins at mile 6.
While the freeway is open, much work still has to be done.
When the freeway is completed next year, it will continue on an overpass towards Hoes Lane.
Currently, the road merges back in with Metlars Lane (the old road through the area) for a traffic light at Hoes Lane.
This new-alignment road leads to the Livingston Campus of Rutgers Univ.
The road provides a much nicer and safer gateway to the campus than the old 2-lane “Avenue E.”
This segment of Hoes Lane was widened to four lanes in the 1990’s in preparation for the upgrade to freeway. However, the road has been completely ruined in the construction process and will have to be rebuilt.
After making a u-turn, I am now on Hoes Lane southbound, heading back towards the freeway entrance.
Lots of girders are lined up for the ongoing construction.
A view of the construction site for the future interchange here.
Arrows divert traffic from the old Metlars Lane. Metlars Lane was a dangerous 2-lane road with many curves and a limited sight distance. It was also extremely congested during Rutgers sports events, as most of the athletic facilities for the university are in the area.
At the River Rd interchange.
A new sign put up for the upcoming NJ 27 interchange.
Crossing the bridge over the Raritan River onto the existing NJ 18 freeway in New Brunswick. This concludes the tour of the NJ 18 construction site.
