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Route 68 (New Jersey)
Encyclopedia
Route 68 is a state highway
located in Burlington County
in the U.S. state
of New Jersey
, serving as the main connector between the New Jersey Turnpike
and Fort Dix. It runs from County Route 616 at the fort to U.S. Route 206
in Mansfield Township
, 0.34 mi (0.5471756 km) south of the New Jersey Turnpike
; a total route length of 7.92 mi (12.75 km). The route passes through Wrightstown
and Springfield Township
as a two-lane undivided road, crossing County Route 537
. It continues through Mansfield Township as a four-lane divided highway
, intersecting with County Route 543
. Route 68 passes through mostly agricultural and residential areas.
The route was originally designated as Route S39 in 1941, a spur of Route 39 (present-day U.S. Route 206) that was to provide improved access to Fort Dix during World War II
. In 1953, Route S39 became Route 68 and it was legislated to extend south of Fort Dix to the Four Mile Circle
with Route 70 and Route 72. A freeway for Route 68 was proposed to run between a planned Route 38 freeway and the Four Mile Circle in 1960; however, it was never built.
, heading to the north as a four-lane divided highway
called Fort Dix Road. The road continues through the fort and crosses into Wrightstown
, where it narrows into a two-lane undivided road before heading into Springfield Township
. The route passes a gate into Fort Dix before intersecting County Route 670 and leaving the fort, towards a mix of farmland and woodland. Route 68 crosses County Route 537
before continuing north into agricultural areas with some homes.
The road enters Mansfield Township
where it widens into a four-lane divided highway as it intersects a road that provides access to parallel County Route 545
to the east, which heads south to serve as an access road to McGuire Air Force Base
. From here, the route turns northwest and crosses County Route 543
before heading through a mix of farm fields and suburban residential neighborhoods. Past the intersection with White Pine Road, Route 68 passes in between two large car lots. The route terminates at an intersection with U.S. Route 206
located a short distance south of that route’s interchange with the New Jersey Turnpike
. Route 68 serves as the main access route between Fort Dix and the New Jersey Turnpike.
, a Works Progress Administration
project improved the paved road connecting the fort to Bordentown. In 1941, this road was legislated as Route S39, a state highway spur of Route 39 (now U.S. Route 206) that was to run from the fort to Mansfield Square. Construction on the access road was completed in 1943 at a cost of over $2 million. Route S39 became Route 68 in the 1953 New Jersey state highway renumbering
. The same year, an extension of Route 68 was legislated to run south from Fort Dix to the intersection with Route 70 and Route 72 at the Four Mile Circle
. In 1960, a freeway was proposed along the Route 68 corridor, running from a planned Route 38 freeway near Fort Dix south to Route 70 and Route 72. This freeway was never built due to lack of anticipated traffic and funds as well as feared environmental impact.
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...
located in Burlington County
Burlington County, New Jersey
There were 154,371 households out of which 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.50% had...
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...
, serving as the main connector between the New Jersey Turnpike
New Jersey Turnpike
The New Jersey Turnpike is a toll road in New Jersey, maintained by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. According to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, the Turnpike is the nation's sixth-busiest toll road and is among one of the most heavily traveled highways in the United...
and Fort Dix. It runs from County Route 616 at the fort to U.S. Route 206
U.S. Route 206
U.S. Route 206 is a long north–south United States highway in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, United States. Only about a half a mile of its length is in Pennsylvania; the Milford-Montague Toll Bridge carries it over the Delaware River into New Jersey, where it is the remainder of the route...
in Mansfield Township
Mansfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 5,090 people, 2,077 households, and 1,561 families residing in the township. The population density was 234.3 people per square mile . There were 2,122 housing units at an average density of 97.7 per square mile...
, 0.34 mi (0.5471756 km) south of the New Jersey Turnpike
New Jersey Turnpike
The New Jersey Turnpike is a toll road in New Jersey, maintained by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. According to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, the Turnpike is the nation's sixth-busiest toll road and is among one of the most heavily traveled highways in the United...
; a total route length of 7.92 mi (12.75 km). The route passes through Wrightstown
Wrightstown, New Jersey
Wrightstown is a Borough in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 802....
and Springfield Township
Springfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 3,227 people, 1,098 households, and 906 families residing in the township. The population density was 107.4 people per square mile . There were 1,138 housing units at an average density of 37.9 per square mile...
as a two-lane undivided road, crossing County Route 537
County Route 537 (New Jersey)
County Route 537, abbreviated CR 537, is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Delaware Avenue in Camden to Myrtle Avenue in Long Branch.-Camden County:...
. It continues through Mansfield Township as a four-lane divided highway
Divided Highway
Divided Highway is a compilation album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released in 2003. . All tracks are taken from the albums Cycles and Brotherhood .-Track listing:...
, intersecting with County Route 543
County Route 543 (New Jersey)
County Route 543, abbreviated CR 543, is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Federal Street in Camden to Wrightstown-Georgetown Road in Mansfield Township.-Camden County:...
. Route 68 passes through mostly agricultural and residential areas.
The route was originally designated as Route S39 in 1941, a spur of Route 39 (present-day U.S. Route 206) that was to provide improved access to Fort Dix during World War II
World 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...
. In 1953, Route S39 became Route 68 and it was legislated to extend south of Fort Dix to the Four Mile Circle
Four Mile Circle
Four Mile Circle is a traffic circle in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is located at the junction of Route 70, Route 72, Buddtown Road , and New Lisbon Road . This junction is between Southampton, Pemberton, and Woodland Townships, located within the New Jersey Pine Barrens.-External links:*...
with Route 70 and Route 72. A freeway for Route 68 was proposed to run between a planned Route 38 freeway and the Four Mile Circle in 1960; however, it was never built.
Route description
Route 68 begins at General Circle with County Route 616 on the grounds of Fort Dix in New Hanover TownshipNew Hanover Township, New Jersey
New Hanover Township is a Township in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 9,744. The township is located in the Delaware Valley....
, heading to the north as a four-lane divided highway
Divided Highway
Divided Highway is a compilation album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released in 2003. . All tracks are taken from the albums Cycles and Brotherhood .-Track listing:...
called Fort Dix Road. The road continues through the fort and crosses into Wrightstown
Wrightstown, New Jersey
Wrightstown is a Borough in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 802....
, where it narrows into a two-lane undivided road before heading into Springfield Township
Springfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 3,227 people, 1,098 households, and 906 families residing in the township. The population density was 107.4 people per square mile . There were 1,138 housing units at an average density of 37.9 per square mile...
. The route passes a gate into Fort Dix before intersecting County Route 670 and leaving the fort, towards a mix of farmland and woodland. Route 68 crosses County Route 537
County Route 537 (New Jersey)
County Route 537, abbreviated CR 537, is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Delaware Avenue in Camden to Myrtle Avenue in Long Branch.-Camden County:...
before continuing north into agricultural areas with some homes.
The road enters Mansfield Township
Mansfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 5,090 people, 2,077 households, and 1,561 families residing in the township. The population density was 234.3 people per square mile . There were 2,122 housing units at an average density of 97.7 per square mile...
where it widens into a four-lane divided highway as it intersects a road that provides access to parallel County Route 545
County Route 545 (New Jersey)
County Route 545, abbreviated CR 545, is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Lakehurst Road in Pemberton Township to Park Avenue in Bordentown...
to the east, which heads south to serve as an access road to McGuire Air Force Base
McGuire Air Force Base
JB MDL McGuire is a United States Air Force base located approximately south-southeast of Trenton, New Jersey. McGuire is under the jurisdiction of the USAF Air Mobility Command...
. From here, the route turns northwest and crosses County Route 543
County Route 543 (New Jersey)
County Route 543, abbreviated CR 543, is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Federal Street in Camden to Wrightstown-Georgetown Road in Mansfield Township.-Camden County:...
before heading through a mix of farm fields and suburban residential neighborhoods. Past the intersection with White Pine Road, Route 68 passes in between two large car lots. The route terminates at an intersection with U.S. Route 206
U.S. Route 206
U.S. Route 206 is a long north–south United States highway in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, United States. Only about a half a mile of its length is in Pennsylvania; the Milford-Montague Toll Bridge carries it over the Delaware River into New Jersey, where it is the remainder of the route...
located a short distance south of that route’s interchange with the New Jersey Turnpike
New Jersey Turnpike
The New Jersey Turnpike is a toll road in New Jersey, maintained by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. According to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, the Turnpike is the nation's sixth-busiest toll road and is among one of the most heavily traveled highways in the United...
. Route 68 serves as the main access route between Fort Dix and the New Jersey Turnpike.
History
As part of improving road access to the Fort Dix Military Reservation at the onset of 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...
, a Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
project improved the paved road connecting the fort to Bordentown. In 1941, this road was legislated as Route S39, a state highway spur of Route 39 (now U.S. Route 206) that was to run from the fort to Mansfield Square. Construction on the access road was completed in 1943 at a cost of over $2 million. Route S39 became Route 68 in the 1953 New Jersey state highway renumbering
1953 New Jersey state highway renumbering
On January 1, 1953, the New Jersey Department of Transportation renumbered many of the State Routes. A few rules were followed in deciding what to renumber:...
. The same year, an extension of Route 68 was legislated to run south from Fort Dix to the intersection with Route 70 and Route 72 at the Four Mile Circle
Four Mile Circle
Four Mile Circle is a traffic circle in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is located at the junction of Route 70, Route 72, Buddtown Road , and New Lisbon Road . This junction is between Southampton, Pemberton, and Woodland Townships, located within the New Jersey Pine Barrens.-External links:*...
. In 1960, a freeway was proposed along the Route 68 corridor, running from a planned Route 38 freeway near Fort Dix south to Route 70 and Route 72. This freeway was never built due to lack of anticipated traffic and funds as well as feared environmental impact.