Gov. Sherrill Supports Scaled-Down NJ Turnpike Expansion Plan

The revised proposal calls for a four-lane bridge over the Newark Bay, instead of the originally proposed eight-lane expansion.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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In a surprise move, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced her support for a scaled-down NJ Turnpike expansion plan near the border with Newark. Instead of the originally proposed two-bridge expansion with eight lanes, Sherrill said she will back a four-lane bridge over the Newark Bay. The governor also recommended that the Turnpike Board continue with safety improvements on the roads leading to the Holland Tunnel, without expanding capacity.

Why it matters

The original eight-lane expansion plan had faced strong opposition from officials and residents in Hoboken and Jersey City, who were concerned about the potential for increased traffic, greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollution in their communities. Sherrill's decision to support a more modest four-lane bridge is seen as a victory for local leaders who have been fighting the larger project.

The details

Under the previous plan proposed by the Turnpike Authority under former Governor Phil Murphy, the agency had planned to rebuild an 8.1-mile stretch of the I-78 Turnpike extension, doubling the number of lanes across the Newark Bay through Bayonne and Jersey City to the Holland Tunnel. The revised $6.7 billion project recommended by Sherrill will now call for a four-lane bridge over the Newark Bay.

  • On Tuesday evening, Governor Mikie Sherrill announced her support for the scaled-down NJ Turnpike expansion plan.
  • The original eight-lane expansion plan was proposed under former Governor Phil Murphy.

The players

Governor Mikie Sherrill

The current Governor of New Jersey who has decided to support a more modest four-lane bridge expansion plan over the Newark Bay, instead of the previously proposed eight-lane expansion.

Emily Jabbour

The Mayor of Hoboken, who praised Governor Sherrill's decision as advancing a "smarter, more environmentally responsible path forward" for the critical infrastructure project.

James Solomon

The Mayor of Jersey City, who issued a joint statement with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka saying the governor's decision "acknowledges that the previous proposal would've opened the floodgates of heavy traffic through communities that already bear a high burden of traffic and air pollution."

Ras Baraka

The Mayor of Newark, who issued a joint statement with Jersey City Mayor James Solomon praising Governor Sherrill's decision.

Phil Murphy

The former Governor of New Jersey, under whom the Turnpike Authority had originally planned the larger eight-lane expansion project.

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What they’re saying

“I thank Governor Sherrill for advancing a smarter, more environmentally responsible path forward for this critical infrastructure project.”

— Emily Jabbour, Mayor of Hoboken (Patch)

“Today's decision acknowledges that the previous proposal would've opened the floodgates of heavy traffic through communities that already bear a high burden of traffic and air pollution. For years, our communities fought against a seriously ill-conceived plan while proposing serious alternatives.”

— James Solomon, Mayor of Jersey City (Patch)

What’s next

The revised $6.7 billion project recommended by Governor Sherrill will now go before the New Jersey Turnpike Authority Board for approval.

The takeaway

Governor Sherrill's decision to support a more modest four-lane bridge expansion plan over the Newark Bay is seen as a victory for local leaders in Hoboken and Jersey City, who had fiercely opposed the larger eight-lane expansion proposal due to concerns about increased traffic, emissions, and pollution in their communities. This compromise solution aims to address critical infrastructure needs while minimizing the environmental impact on the surrounding neighborhoods.