New Jersey's economic might is in no small part connected to its vast transportation infrastructure that includes 38,000 miles of interstates and highways, port facilities at both ends of the state and major rail and air service.

“There are almost 9 million people in our state and more than 8 million people in New York City, so to have a business in New Jersey puts you right at the doorstep to the largest economic market in America,” says James Simpson, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Numerous railheads, a well-thought-out highway system, major airports and ports at both ends of the state make the Garden State one of the critical commerce corridors in the country. Simpson says the state's transportation assets are a major reason companies select New Jersey for business investment.

“The market is right here and is easily accessible, and transportation truly is a key reason for success,” Simpson says. “New Jersey is the place to do any kind of business, and particularly if you want to do business internationally.”

From New Jersey to Anywhere

New Jersey boasts a robust transportation network that offers businesses quick and convenient connections to national and international markets. The Garden State has the highest density of railroads in the nation. Newark Liberty International is the 12th busiest airport in the United States and 29th busiest in the world, while Atlantic City International Airport handled a record amount of passenger traffic in 2010.

With its 24,000 aviation industry jobs, Newark Liberty is one of the largest employment centers in the state. In South Jersey, the terminal at Atlantic City International is being expanded and the state is upgrading the airport’s connection with the Atlantic City Expressway, which provides direct access to Atlantic City and Philadelphia.

On the Waterfront

The state's port facilities give companies doping business in New Jersey prime access to international markets. New Jersey is home to the third-largest container port complex in the United States, and the Port of New York and New Jersey, with much of the activity centered in Newark, Elizabeth and Jersey City, is a $30 billion powerhouse for the state.
In 2009, the Port of New York and New Jersey handled 4.6 million loaded and unloaded 20-foot equivalent unit containers, or TEUs. Overseen by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the port complex supports more than 230,000 jobs directly and indirectly and generates $12 billion in annual wages.

The South Jersey Port Corp. oversees the Port of Camden on the Delaware River, a major gateway of commerce and trade that offers access to the Atlantic Ocean. The port complex, which includes four terminals, has 35 tenants and specializes in handling break-bulk and container cargo.

The port is the nation's leader in handling import wood products, and in January 2011, it unloaded the single largest cocoa bean shipment from West Africa, more than 18,600 metric tons. The port also handles high volumes of perishables, such as bananas and pineapple. Del Monte’s facility at the Port of Camden is the company's largest fruit port and distribution center.

Road Warriors

The state's strategic location within a day's truck drive of 100 million consumers gives the Garden State an enormous distribution advantage.

“The New Jersey Turnpike is one of the best-known and most-utilized in the country, carrying interstate traffic between New York and Delaware,” Simpson says.

The Garden State Parkway connects the New York metropolitan area to Atlantic City. Other key thoroughfares in New Jersey are the Atlantic City Expressway, Palisades Interstate Parkway and Interstates 76, 78, 80, 95, 195, 278, 280, 287, 295 and 676. The famed George Washington Bridge that connects to New York City carries 300,000 vehicles a day, the heaviest load of motor vehicle traffic of any bridge in the world.

“Transportation is certainly vital to New Jersey's economy,” Simpson says, “Our state is lucky to have so many hauling and travel options.”