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Route 60 (New Jersey)
Encyclopedia
Route 60 was a proposed limited access state highway
in the U.S. state
of New Jersey
. It would have run from the Delaware Memorial Bridge
in the Deepwater
neighborhood of Pennsville Township
to Ocean City
. The freeway was to parallel U.S. Route 40
from its start, then run as a concurrency
with Route 55 in Vineland
. From there it would have continued east and ended at Ocean City. It was designed as a connection between South Jersey
and points west via the Delaware Memorial Bridge
. However, the nearby Atlantic City Expressway
, combined with a fiscal crisis in the mid-1970s, prevented the freeway from being built.
Despite the plans for the freeway being shelved, the New Jersey Department of Transportation
(NJDOT) hasn't officially taken it off their route log. Route 60 along with Route 74 are the only remaining unbuilt freeways left on the New Jersey State Legislature.
, the New Jersey State Highway Department brought together a proposed set of freeways across the state of New Jersey in 1960. One proposal set forth was of a freeway connecting Deepwater to Ocean City, paralleling the alignment of U.S. Route 40
. From the community of Millville to Vineland, Route 60 was proposed to be concurrent with the also proposed Route 55. From there, the highway was supposed to head eastward to the U.S. Route 9 Expressway near Ocean City, New Jersey. The design of the freeway was to help improve urbanization through places such as Millville and Vineland, along with providing access for people from Delaware
, Maryland
, and southeastern Pennsylvania
to the southern portions of the Jersey Shore
. The New Jersey Department of Transportation did estimate construction of the 58.4 miles (94 km) long freeway to cost $116 million (1967 USD), however, difficulties in the economy along with the close proximity of the nearby Atlantic City Expressway
killed the project from moving forward.
Since the 1970s, proposals have arisen to revive the Route 60 freeway. In 2007, the Western/Southern Cumberland Regional Planning proposed a new freeway spur from the constructed Route 55 Freeway to the community of Bridgeton, New Jersey
following the general alignment of current day County Route 552
. This same study indicates a need for a limited access interstate freeway from the Delaware Memorial Bridge
to Atlantic City, New Jersey
. In February 2010, Assemblywoman Celeste Riley
proposed the revival of the Route 60 freeway via a study of the lack of transportation in Bridgeton. The study would also look into the best transportation between the Delaware Memorial Bridge and Atlantic City
. However, local officials believe these proposals may not form into reality due to local opposition.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. It would have run from the Delaware Memorial Bridge
Delaware Memorial Bridge
The Delaware Memorial Bridge is a set of twin suspension bridges crossing the Delaware River. The toll bridges carry Interstate 295 and U.S. Route 40 between Delaware and New Jersey...
in the Deepwater
Deepwater, New Jersey
Deepwater is a community in Pennsville, in Salem County, New Jersey, lying at the east end of the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Deepwater is the location of the United States Postal Service area covering ZIP code 08023...
neighborhood of Pennsville Township
Pennsville Township, New Jersey
Pennsville Township is a Township in Salem County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 13,194. The township is named for William Penn....
to Ocean City
Ocean City, New Jersey
Ocean City is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is the principal city of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Cape May County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 11,701...
. The freeway was to parallel U.S. Route 40
U.S. Route 40 in New Jersey
U.S. Route 40 is a U.S. highway running from Park City, Utah east to Atlantic City, New Jersey. The easternmost segment of the route runs through the southern part of New Jersey between the Delaware Memorial Bridge over the Delaware River in Pennsville Township, Salem County, where it continues...
from its start, then run as a concurrency
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with Route 55 in Vineland
Vineland, New Jersey
Vineland is a city in Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 60,724...
. From there it would have continued east and ended at Ocean City. It was designed as a connection between South Jersey
South Jersey
South Jersey comprises the southern portions of the U.S. state of New Jersey between the lower Delaware River and the Atlantic Ocean. The designation is a colloquial one, reflecting not only geographical but perceived cultural differences from the northern part of the state, with no official...
and points west via the Delaware Memorial Bridge
Delaware Memorial Bridge
The Delaware Memorial Bridge is a set of twin suspension bridges crossing the Delaware River. The toll bridges carry Interstate 295 and U.S. Route 40 between Delaware and New Jersey...
. However, the nearby Atlantic City Expressway
Atlantic City Expressway
The Atlantic City Expressway is a , controlled-access toll road in New Jersey, managed and operated by the South Jersey Transportation Authority...
, combined with a fiscal crisis in the mid-1970s, prevented the freeway from being built.
Despite the plans for the freeway being shelved, the New Jersey Department of Transportation
New Jersey Department of Transportation
The New Jersey Department of Transportation is the agency responsible for transportation issues and policy in New Jersey. It is headed by the Commissioner of Transportation...
(NJDOT) hasn't officially taken it off their route log. Route 60 along with Route 74 are the only remaining unbuilt freeways left on the New Jersey State Legislature.
History
Facing a dilemma due to the increase in automobile traffic after World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the New Jersey State Highway Department brought together a proposed set of freeways across the state of New Jersey in 1960. One proposal set forth was of a freeway connecting Deepwater to Ocean City, paralleling the alignment of U.S. Route 40
U.S. Route 40 in New Jersey
U.S. Route 40 is a U.S. highway running from Park City, Utah east to Atlantic City, New Jersey. The easternmost segment of the route runs through the southern part of New Jersey between the Delaware Memorial Bridge over the Delaware River in Pennsville Township, Salem County, where it continues...
. From the community of Millville to Vineland, Route 60 was proposed to be concurrent with the also proposed Route 55. From there, the highway was supposed to head eastward to the U.S. Route 9 Expressway near Ocean City, New Jersey. The design of the freeway was to help improve urbanization through places such as Millville and Vineland, along with providing access for people from Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, and southeastern Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
to the southern portions of the Jersey Shore
Jersey Shore
The Jersey Shore is a term used to refer to both the Atlantic coast of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the adjacent resort and residential communities. . The New Jersey State Department of Tourism considers the Shore Region, Greater Atlantic City, and the Southern Shore to be distinct, each having...
. The New Jersey Department of Transportation did estimate construction of the 58.4 miles (94 km) long freeway to cost $116 million (1967 USD), however, difficulties in the economy along with the close proximity of the nearby Atlantic City Expressway
Atlantic City Expressway
The Atlantic City Expressway is a , controlled-access toll road in New Jersey, managed and operated by the South Jersey Transportation Authority...
killed the project from moving forward.
Since the 1970s, proposals have arisen to revive the Route 60 freeway. In 2007, the Western/Southern Cumberland Regional Planning proposed a new freeway spur from the constructed Route 55 Freeway to the community of Bridgeton, New Jersey
Bridgeton, New Jersey
Bridgeton is a city in Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States, in the south part of the state, on the Cohansey River, near Delaware Bay. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 25,349. It is the county seat of Cumberland County...
following the general alignment of current day County Route 552
County Route 552 (New Jersey)
County Route 552, abbreviated CR 552, is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Laurel Street in Bridgeton to Harding Highway in Hamilton Township.-Cumberland County:...
. This same study indicates a need for a limited access interstate freeway from the Delaware Memorial Bridge
Delaware Memorial Bridge
The Delaware Memorial Bridge is a set of twin suspension bridges crossing the Delaware River. The toll bridges carry Interstate 295 and U.S. Route 40 between Delaware and New Jersey...
to Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
. In February 2010, Assemblywoman Celeste Riley
Celeste Riley
Celeste M. Riley is an American Democratic Party politician who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2009, where she represents the 3rd legislative district. Riley is the first woman to represent this district in the New Jersey Legislature....
proposed the revival of the Route 60 freeway via a study of the lack of transportation in Bridgeton. The study would also look into the best transportation between the Delaware Memorial Bridge and Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
. However, local officials believe these proposals may not form into reality due to local opposition.