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Route 74 (New Jersey)
Encyclopedia
Route 74 was a proposed limited-access state highway
in Middlesex County
and Monmouth County
of the U.S. state
of New Jersey
. The route was to a be a four-lane divided highway from Route 18 in East Brunswick eastward to an interchange with Route 35 in the Laurence Harbor
section of Old Bridge Township
. The freeway would have provided a much needed east–west connection between U.S. Route 9 and Route 18. Tentatively named the "Industrial Freeway", Route 74 was to be a 10.6 miles (17.1 km) long four-lane freeway, with eight exits. Also included in the proposal was a U.S. Route 9 expressway to Route 35 in South Amboy
and a connector spur from Route 74 back to Route 35 near Morgan.
Plans for the Route 74 "Industrial" Freeway date back to 1956, when local officials brought up the original plan to the state level. The state legislated the designation in January 1962, and studies for construction began four years later. Although the construction of the freeway seemed imminent, a transportation bond issue in 1972 killed the construction. Although a local agency gave Route 74 one last shot in 1975, the plans for a freeway were shelved. Despite that, the New Jersey Department of Transportation
and New Jersey State Legislature haven't officially taken it off their "Route Log" in the statutes. Route 74, along with New Jersey Route 60 and New Jersey Route 85, are the only remaining unbuilt freeways left on the official NJDOT "Route Log".
and Monmouth Counties
date back to 1956, when officials from both counties brought forth a plan for a new industrial highway from New Jersey Route 18 in East Brunswick eastward to New Jersey Route 35 in Matawan
. The proposal was then submitted by local authorities to then-state senator John Lynch
. The proposal was turned into a bill and turned over the New Jersey State Legislature, who passed it in January 1962. From studies performed by Parsons Brinckerhoff
in 1966 and 1967, the Route 74 Freeway was to serve the need for an east–west expressway on the area south of the Raritan River
. The area covered in the studies showed that by 1985, the amount of parkland, industry and community size would grow by 150%. The existing east–west two-lane roadways would then be unable to carry the amount of projected traffic daily.
In order to protect Cheesequake State Park
and lessen the interference of private industrial land, the state chose the preferred alignment. This alignment would end up seizing 19 residential homes and 19 commercial businesses to build the new freeway. Along with the right-of-way exception and construction costs, the estimated cost for building the Route 74 Freeway would be about $64.7 million (1970 USD). Although the freeway in plans were supposed to cross the Garden State Parkway
around milepost 119, there were no set plans for an interchange between the two highways. However, the studies from Parsons Brinckerhoff did put forth that this could be possible in the future. Also, the new freeway did not serve access to the New Jersey Turnpike
, the route was to begin just a mile south of Route 18's interchange. Bundled up with Route 74 were two other expressways, the construction of a new expressway on U.S. Route 9 itself, and a spur route off of Route 74 further east. The connecting freeway were later added to the state legislation in 1971.
However, when the state transportation bond proposed by the Legislature in 1972 failed, the construction of the Route 74 Freeway seemed inevitable. In 1975, the Tri-State Transportation Commission gave the pitch of attempting Route 74 one last time, citing that it would "help serve planned industrial and residential concentrations". The Commission's report cited that the route is started soon, could be constructed by 2000. However, by the early 1980s, the commission had dropped the route from their focus, and despite no route ever being constructed, Route 74, along with New Jersey Route 60 and New Jersey Route 85, remain in the state's unofficial Route Log in the state statutes.
(the Old Bridge Turnpike) just after its impetus. From there, the four-lane freeway was to enter the community of South River
, where it would have an interchange with County Route 535
(Main Street). The route would dip to the south, cross over the South River and into Sayreville
. There it would parallel County Route 535 (now known as Washington Road), and interchange with County Route 675 (Jernee's Mill Road) in the community. After an interchange with Minisink Avenue, Route 74 was to turn to the southeast and head out of Sayreville. Starting here, the area surrounding the freeway was to be improvised with major development.
The route was to continue to the southeast, approaching an interchange with County Route 615
(Bordentown-South Amboy Turnpike). At that interchange, Route 74 was to turn eastward again, reaching an interchange with the proposed U.S. Route 9 expressway. Also to be present at this interchange was the northern terminus of New Jersey Route 34 in Browntown. After crossing Route 9 and Route 34, Route 74 was to continue eastward into more rural portions of Middlesex County, interchanging with a spur which would head northward to New Jersey Route 35 in South Amboy
. Route 74 would parallel to the north of Route 34 past the community of Cheesequake, crossing the southern line of Cheesequake State Park. The route would then cross into a small portion of the state park when it turned to the northeast, interchaning with County Route 689 (Morristown Road) in Cheesequake.
After leaving the park, Route 74 was to continue northeastward, running along the Middlesex-Monmouth county line. A short distance later, it would cross over Milepost 119 of the Garden State Parkway
, with no interchange. Paralleling the Lawrence Parkway to the west, Route 74 turned northward, interchanging and coming to an end at Route 35 in Laurence Harbor
, just north of the county line.
.
{| class=wikitable
!Location
!Mile
!#
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=1|East Brunswick
|0.00
|1
| (Memorial Highway)
|Proposed western terminus of Route 74
|-
|rowspan=1|South River
|
|2
| (Main Street)
|-
|rowspan=2|Sayreville
|
|3
| (Jernee's Mill Road)
|-
|
|4
|Minisink Avenue
|-
|rowspan=2|Old Bridge
|
|5
| (Bordentown-South Amboy Turnpike)
|-
|
|6
|
|Northern terminus of Route 34
|-
|rowspan=2|Laurence Harbor
|
|7
| (Morristown Road)
|-
|10.6
|8
|
|Proposed eastern terminus of Route 74
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 Middlesex County
Middlesex County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 750,162 people, 265,815 households, and 190,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,422 people per square mile . There were 273,637 housing units at an average density of 884 per square mile...
and Monmouth County
Monmouth County, New Jersey
Monmouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 630,380, up from 615,301 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Freehold Borough. The most populous municipality is Middletown Township with...
of 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...
. The route was to a be a four-lane divided highway from Route 18 in East Brunswick eastward to an interchange with Route 35 in the Laurence Harbor
Laurence Harbor, New Jersey
Laurence Harbor is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located on the Raritan Bay within Old Bridge Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey. As of the 2000 United States Census, the CDP population was 6,227.-Geography:...
section of Old Bridge Township
Old Bridge Township, New Jersey
Old Bridge Township is a Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township had a total population of 60,456...
. The freeway would have provided a much needed east–west connection between U.S. Route 9 and Route 18. Tentatively named the "Industrial Freeway", Route 74 was to be a 10.6 miles (17.1 km) long four-lane freeway, with eight exits. Also included in the proposal was a U.S. Route 9 expressway to Route 35 in South Amboy
South Amboy, New Jersey
South Amboy is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, on the Raritan Bay. As of the 2000 United States Census, the city population was 7,913.South Amboy, and Perth Amboy across the Raritan River, are collectively referred to as The Amboys...
and a connector spur from Route 74 back to Route 35 near Morgan.
Plans for the Route 74 "Industrial" Freeway date back to 1956, when local officials brought up the original plan to the state level. The state legislated the designation in January 1962, and studies for construction began four years later. Although the construction of the freeway seemed imminent, a transportation bond issue in 1972 killed the construction. Although a local agency gave Route 74 one last shot in 1975, the plans for a freeway were shelved. Despite that, 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...
and New Jersey State Legislature haven't officially taken it off their "Route Log" in the statutes. Route 74, along with New Jersey Route 60 and New Jersey Route 85, are the only remaining unbuilt freeways left on the official NJDOT "Route Log".
History
The original proposals for the Industrial Highway in MiddlesexMiddlesex County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 750,162 people, 265,815 households, and 190,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,422 people per square mile . There were 273,637 housing units at an average density of 884 per square mile...
and Monmouth Counties
Monmouth County, New Jersey
Monmouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 630,380, up from 615,301 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Freehold Borough. The most populous municipality is Middletown Township with...
date back to 1956, when officials from both counties brought forth a plan for a new industrial highway from New Jersey Route 18 in East Brunswick eastward to New Jersey Route 35 in Matawan
Matawan, New Jersey
Matawan is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,810. The name "Matawan" comes from a Native American Lenape word....
. The proposal was then submitted by local authorities to then-state senator John Lynch
John A. Lynch, Sr.
John A. Lynch, Sr. was an American Democratic Party politician who served in the New Jersey Senate for 22 years, where he represented the 17th legislative District, and as Mayor of New Brunswick, New Jersey from 1951 to 1955.-Biography:Lynch was born in New Brunswick in 1908 to John T. Lynch and...
. The proposal was turned into a bill and turned over the New Jersey State Legislature, who passed it in January 1962. From studies performed by Parsons Brinckerhoff
Parsons Brinckerhoff
Parsons Brinckerhoff is a professional services firm with 14,000 employees in 150 offices providing construction and operation management, planning, design, engineering, program management, strategic consulting, environmental and sustainability services for clients and communities in the Americas,...
in 1966 and 1967, the Route 74 Freeway was to serve the need for an east–west expressway on the area south of the Raritan River
Raritan River
The Raritan River is a major river of central New Jersey in the United States. Its watershed drains much of the mountainous area of the central part of the state, emptying into the Raritan Bay on the Atlantic Ocean.-Description:...
. The area covered in the studies showed that by 1985, the amount of parkland, industry and community size would grow by 150%. The existing east–west two-lane roadways would then be unable to carry the amount of projected traffic daily.
In order to protect Cheesequake State Park
Cheesequake State Park
Cheesequake State Park is a state park located in Old Bridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey in the United States.The New Jersey Legislature allocated $100,000 in 1937 to purchase property for this state park. The state first acquired a 250 acre tract of farmland and a Civil War era mansion...
and lessen the interference of private industrial land, the state chose the preferred alignment. This alignment would end up seizing 19 residential homes and 19 commercial businesses to build the new freeway. Along with the right-of-way exception and construction costs, the estimated cost for building the Route 74 Freeway would be about $64.7 million (1970 USD). Although the freeway in plans were supposed to cross the Garden State Parkway
Garden State Parkway
The Garden State Parkway is a 172.4-mile limited-access toll parkway that stretches the length of New Jersey from the New York line at Montvale, New Jersey, to Cape May at New Jersey's southernmost tip. Its name refers to New Jersey's nickname, the "Garden State." Most New Jersey residents refer...
around milepost 119, there were no set plans for an interchange between the two highways. However, the studies from Parsons Brinckerhoff did put forth that this could be possible in the future. Also, the new freeway did not serve access to 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...
, the route was to begin just a mile south of Route 18's interchange. Bundled up with Route 74 were two other expressways, the construction of a new expressway on U.S. Route 9 itself, and a spur route off of Route 74 further east. The connecting freeway were later added to the state legislation in 1971.
However, when the state transportation bond proposed by the Legislature in 1972 failed, the construction of the Route 74 Freeway seemed inevitable. In 1975, the Tri-State Transportation Commission gave the pitch of attempting Route 74 one last time, citing that it would "help serve planned industrial and residential concentrations". The Commission's report cited that the route is started soon, could be constructed by 2000. However, by the early 1980s, the commission had dropped the route from their focus, and despite no route ever being constructed, Route 74, along with New Jersey Route 60 and New Jersey Route 85, remain in the state's unofficial Route Log in the state statutes.
Proposed route
Route 74 was to begin at an interchange with New Jersey Route 18 in the community of East Brunswick (in Middlesex County). The route was to head eastward, crossing over County Route 527County Route 527 (New Jersey)
County Route 527 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Main Street in Toms River Township to Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove. It is the second longest county highway in New Jersey after Route 519. It was first given the number 527 in 1954...
(the Old Bridge Turnpike) just after its impetus. From there, the four-lane freeway was to enter the community of South River
South River, New Jersey
South River is a Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 15,322....
, where it would have an interchange with County Route 535
County Route 535 (New Jersey)
County Route 535 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Logan Avenue , at the boundary between Trenton and Hamilton Township in Mercer County to the intersection of Main Street, Raritan Street and Washington Road in Sayreville in Middlesex County.The road...
(Main Street). The route would dip to the south, cross over the South River and into Sayreville
Sayreville, New Jersey
Sayreville is a borough located on the Raritan River, near Raritan Bay in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 42,704....
. There it would parallel County Route 535 (now known as Washington Road), and interchange with County Route 675 (Jernee's Mill Road) in the community. After an interchange with Minisink Avenue, Route 74 was to turn to the southeast and head out of Sayreville. Starting here, the area surrounding the freeway was to be improvised with major development.
The route was to continue to the southeast, approaching an interchange with County Route 615
County Route 615 (Middlesex County, New Jersey)
County Route 615 is a county route in Middlesex County, New Jersey that measures in length. The road extends from Mercer CR 615 at the Plainsboro/West Windsor line all the way to So. Pine Ave in South Amboy, New Jersey. While most of 615 is not used a commuter road, the section in the...
(Bordentown-South Amboy Turnpike). At that interchange, Route 74 was to turn eastward again, reaching an interchange with the proposed U.S. Route 9 expressway. Also to be present at this interchange was the northern terminus of New Jersey Route 34 in Browntown. After crossing Route 9 and Route 34, Route 74 was to continue eastward into more rural portions of Middlesex County, interchanging with a spur which would head northward to New Jersey Route 35 in South Amboy
South Amboy, New Jersey
South Amboy is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, on the Raritan Bay. As of the 2000 United States Census, the city population was 7,913.South Amboy, and Perth Amboy across the Raritan River, are collectively referred to as The Amboys...
. Route 74 would parallel to the north of Route 34 past the community of Cheesequake, crossing the southern line of Cheesequake State Park. The route would then cross into a small portion of the state park when it turned to the northeast, interchaning with County Route 689 (Morristown Road) in Cheesequake.
After leaving the park, Route 74 was to continue northeastward, running along the Middlesex-Monmouth county line. A short distance later, it would cross over Milepost 119 of the Garden State Parkway
Garden State Parkway
The Garden State Parkway is a 172.4-mile limited-access toll parkway that stretches the length of New Jersey from the New York line at Montvale, New Jersey, to Cape May at New Jersey's southernmost tip. Its name refers to New Jersey's nickname, the "Garden State." Most New Jersey residents refer...
, with no interchange. Paralleling the Lawrence Parkway to the west, Route 74 turned northward, interchanging and coming to an end at Route 35 in Laurence Harbor
Laurence Harbor, New Jersey
Laurence Harbor is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located on the Raritan Bay within Old Bridge Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey. As of the 2000 United States Census, the CDP population was 6,227.-Geography:...
, just north of the county line.
Proposed exit list
The entire route was to be in Middlesex CountyMiddlesex County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 750,162 people, 265,815 households, and 190,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,422 people per square mile . There were 273,637 housing units at an average density of 884 per square mile...
.
{| class=wikitable
!Location
!Mile
!#
Exit number
An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore....
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=1|East Brunswick
|0.00
|1
| (Memorial Highway)
|Proposed western terminus of Route 74
|-
|rowspan=1|South River
South River, New Jersey
South River is a Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 15,322....
|
|2
| (Main Street)
|-
|rowspan=2|Sayreville
Sayreville, New Jersey
Sayreville is a borough located on the Raritan River, near Raritan Bay in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 42,704....
|
|3
| (Jernee's Mill Road)
|-
|
|4
|Minisink Avenue
|-
|rowspan=2|Old Bridge
|
|5
| (Bordentown-South Amboy Turnpike)
|-
|
|6
|
|Northern terminus of Route 34
|-
|rowspan=2|Laurence Harbor
Laurence Harbor, New Jersey
Laurence Harbor is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located on the Raritan Bay within Old Bridge Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey. As of the 2000 United States Census, the CDP population was 6,227.-Geography:...
|
|7
| (Morristown Road)
|-
|10.6
|8
|
|Proposed eastern terminus of Route 74