The Atlantic City Expressway is moving toward a major expansion following the announcement of a $400 million widening project intended to improve traffic flow, increase roadway capacity, and strengthen transportation connections across South Jersey.
The South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) marked the start of the project on Oct. 14, 2026, with a ceremonial groundbreaking. The initiative represents a substantial investment in a highway that serves commuters, regional businesses, tourists and travelers heading to Atlantic City and the Jersey Shore.
The project is designed to create a continuous third travel lane in each direction along the remaining two-lane portion of the expressway, addressing a longstanding capacity limitation on a heavily used regional transportation route.
According to the project's official website, the widening will cover approximately 12.6 mi., from Interchange 31 near the Route 73 area to the expressway's western terminus at State Route 42, designated as Interchange 44. The work affects portions of Camden and Gloucester counties, including Gloucester Township, Winslow Township and Washington Township.
The proposed improvements extend beyond adding pavement. The project also includes work on major bridge structures, including two mainline bridges over Route 42, two over the Great Egg Harbor River and the Route 42 bridge over Sicklerville Road.
These structural improvements are intended to support the expanded roadway while addressing operational and safety needs. Project planners also have identified minimizing environmental impacts, property acquisition and structural effects as considerations in the design process.
The estimated $400 million price tag makes the project a significant infrastructure commitment for the region. The final cost, construction sequencing and delivery schedule will depend on the implementation of the project's construction contracts and associated requirements.
Traffic congestion has been a central concern behind the expansion. The expressway carries traffic associated with daily commuting, weekend travel and seasonal tourism. Increased traffic volumes during summer months and busy travel periods can create bottlenecks, delay trips and increase the likelihood of vehicle conflicts.
Adding another lane is intended to provide more roadway capacity and improve traffic operations. Officials have identified congestion reduction and safer, more dependable travel as principal objectives of the project.
The project is being organized into multiple construction packages. The official project schedule identifies preliminary work in fall 2026, including shoulder repairs and improvements to the Sicklerville Road ramp at Interchange 7. The larger roadway expansion is planned in stages, with the first major contract covering the section near Route 42 and subsequent contracts addressing eastbound and westbound portions of the expressway.
The current schedule identifies the first major contract as extending approximately from 2027 through 2029. Other construction packages remain subject to their respective schedules and implementation details.
The Atlantic City Expressway serves as an important transportation connection between the Philadelphia-area region and Atlantic City. Its role extends beyond tourism: the roadway also supports commuting, freight movement, access to commercial centers and travel between communities in southern New Jersey.
A more capable roadway could improve the predictability of trips for workers and businesses while helping visitors reach destinations throughout the region. Better traffic flow also may benefit employers whose operations depend on reliable transportation access. â£
