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Route 79 (New Jersey)
Encyclopedia
Route 79 is a state highway
located in Monmouth County
in the U.S. state
of New Jersey
. It runs 12.13 mi (19.5 km) from an intersection with U.S. Route 9 in Freehold Township
north to an intersection with Route 34 and County Route 516 Spur in Matawan
. The route is a mostly two-lane undivided road that passes through both suburban residential areas and rural areas. The route intersects Route 33 in Freehold Township, Route 33 Business and County Route 537
in Freehold Borough
, Route 18 and County Route 520
in Marlboro Township
, and County Route 516
in Matawan.
In 1927, the current alignment of Route 79 was designated as a part of Route 4, which was to run from Cape May
to the George Washington Bridge
, with U.S. Route 9 additionally being designated along the route by the 1940s. After U.S. Route 9 and Route 4 were moved to a new routing between Freehold and Cheesequake, the former route became Route 4A, a spur
of Route 4. In 1953, Route 4A became Route 79 between Freehold and Matawan and an extension of Route 34 between Matawan and Cheesequake.
Route 79 begins at an intersection
with U.S. Route 9 in Freehold Township
, heading north on South Street, a two-lane divided highway
that soon becomes an undivided road. It interchanges with Route 33 and continues through a mix of residential and commercial areas The route enters Freehold Borough
, where it crosses Route 33 Business and continues past residences. Route 79 heads into commercial areas of downtown Freehold, where it intersects County Route 537
(Main Street). Here, the route heads northeast on Main Street to run concurrent
with County Route 537 for a short distance. It eventually splits from County Route 537 by forking to the left to head northeast on Broadway. The route heads through residential neighborhoods, intersecting County Route 46 (Dutch Lane Road). Route 79 crosses back into Freehold Township, where it continues through suburban residential areas, with intermittent farms and woods. It heads into Marlboro Township
, where the name becomes Marlboro Road. The route passes some businesses before it widens into a four-lane divided highway and comes to an interchange with Route 18.
Past this interchange, Route 79 heads through a mix of residences and businesses, narrowing back into a two-lane undivided road. The name of the road changes to North Main Street at the School Road intersection as it heads into residential neighborhoods. The road passes through agricultural areas before heading back into residential and commercial areas, where it intersects County Route 520
(Newman Springs Road). Past this intersection, Route 79 continues north into farmland with some residences and businesses; the amount of neighborhoods eventually increase along the road again. The road heads through more open land before it heads through wooded areas containing homes and businesses. The route intersects County Route 3 (Tennent Road) in Morganville
, forming a short concurrency with that route that lasts until County Route 3 heads northeast on Lloyd Road. Route 79 continues north through wooded neighborhoods and enters Matawan
, where it becomes Main Street. It passes through residential areas before the road crosses County Route 516
(New Brunswick Avenue/Broad Street) in a commercial area. Route 79 continues a short distance north past this intersection to its northern terminus at Route 34 (Middlesex Street). At this intersection, County Route 516 Spur continues northeast on Main Street.
, the route was legislated as part of Route 4, which was to run from Cape May
to the George Washington Bridge
. By the 1940s, U.S. Route 9 was realigned to follow this portion of road along with Route 4. Eventually, U.S. Route 9 and Route 4 were moved to a new alignment between Freehold and Cheesequake, and the former alignment between these two points became Route 4A, a spur
of Route 4. In the 1953 New Jersey state highway renumbering
, Route 4A became Route 79 between Freehold and Matawan and an extension of Route 34 between Matawan and Cheesequake. On December 15, 2006, the intersection between U.S. Route 9 and Route 79 was rebuilt to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion.
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 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...
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 runs 12.13 mi (19.5 km) from an intersection with U.S. Route 9 in Freehold Township
Freehold Township, New Jersey
Freehold Township is a Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 36,184. Freehold Township was first formed on October 31, 1693, and was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21,...
north to an intersection with Route 34 and County Route 516 Spur 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 route is a mostly two-lane undivided road that passes through both suburban residential areas and rural areas. The route intersects Route 33 in Freehold Township, Route 33 Business and 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:...
in Freehold Borough
Freehold Borough, New Jersey
Freehold is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 12,052. It is the county seat of Monmouth County....
, Route 18 and County Route 520
County Route 520 (New Jersey)
County Route 520 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. County Route 520 is a major road across Monmouth County connecting the county's central towns to the Jersey Shore at Sea Bright.-Route description:...
in Marlboro Township
Marlboro Township, New Jersey
-Weather:Marlboro is located close to the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the location Marlboro Township has on the Eastern Seaboard, the following weather features are noted:*On average, the warmest month is July where the average high is and the average low is ....
, and County Route 516
County Route 516 (New Jersey)
-Route description:The highway extends 19.27 miles from Route 18/CR 527 in Old Bridge Township to Route 36 in Middletown Township. It is known as Old Bridge-Matawan Road for its entire length in Old Bridge Township where it intersects US 9 then continues several more miles to the Old...
in Matawan.
In 1927, the current alignment of Route 79 was designated as a part of Route 4, which was to run from Cape May
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May is a city at the southern tip of Cape May Peninsula in Cape May County, New Jersey, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the country's oldest vacation resort destinations. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 United States...
to the George Washington Bridge
George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Hudson River, connecting the Washington Heights neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City to Fort Lee, Bergen County, New Jersey. Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1/9 cross the river via the bridge. U.S...
, with U.S. Route 9 additionally being designated along the route by the 1940s. After U.S. Route 9 and Route 4 were moved to a new routing between Freehold and Cheesequake, the former route became Route 4A, a spur
Spur route
A spur route is a short road forming a branch from a longer, more important route . A bypass or beltway is never considered a true spur route as it typically reconnects with the major road...
of Route 4. In 1953, Route 4A became Route 79 between Freehold and Matawan and an extension of Route 34 between Matawan and Cheesequake.
Route description
Intersection (road)
An intersection is a road junction where two or more roads either meet or cross at grade . An intersection may be 3-way - a T junction or fork, 4-way - a crossroads, or 5-way or more...
with U.S. Route 9 in Freehold Township
Freehold Township, New Jersey
Freehold Township is a Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 36,184. Freehold Township was first formed on October 31, 1693, and was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21,...
, heading north on South Street, a two-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:...
that soon becomes an undivided road. It interchanges with Route 33 and continues through a mix of residential and commercial areas The route enters Freehold Borough
Freehold Borough, New Jersey
Freehold is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 12,052. It is the county seat of Monmouth County....
, where it crosses Route 33 Business and continues past residences. Route 79 heads into commercial areas of downtown Freehold, where it intersects 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:...
(Main Street). Here, the route heads northeast on Main Street to run concurrent
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 County Route 537 for a short distance. It eventually splits from County Route 537 by forking to the left to head northeast on Broadway. The route heads through residential neighborhoods, intersecting County Route 46 (Dutch Lane Road). Route 79 crosses back into Freehold Township, where it continues through suburban residential areas, with intermittent farms and woods. It heads into Marlboro Township
Marlboro Township, New Jersey
-Weather:Marlboro is located close to the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the location Marlboro Township has on the Eastern Seaboard, the following weather features are noted:*On average, the warmest month is July where the average high is and the average low is ....
, where the name becomes Marlboro Road. The route passes some businesses before it widens into a four-lane divided highway and comes to an interchange with Route 18.
Past this interchange, Route 79 heads through a mix of residences and businesses, narrowing back into a two-lane undivided road. The name of the road changes to North Main Street at the School Road intersection as it heads into residential neighborhoods. The road passes through agricultural areas before heading back into residential and commercial areas, where it intersects County Route 520
County Route 520 (New Jersey)
County Route 520 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. County Route 520 is a major road across Monmouth County connecting the county's central towns to the Jersey Shore at Sea Bright.-Route description:...
(Newman Springs Road). Past this intersection, Route 79 continues north into farmland with some residences and businesses; the amount of neighborhoods eventually increase along the road again. The road heads through more open land before it heads through wooded areas containing homes and businesses. The route intersects County Route 3 (Tennent Road) in Morganville
Morganville, New Jersey
Morganville is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Marlboro Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP population was 5,040.Morganville has its own post office, with a ZIP code of 07751....
, forming a short concurrency with that route that lasts until County Route 3 heads northeast on Lloyd Road. Route 79 continues north through wooded neighborhoods and enters 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....
, where it becomes Main Street. It passes through residential areas before the road crosses County Route 516
County Route 516 (New Jersey)
-Route description:The highway extends 19.27 miles from Route 18/CR 527 in Old Bridge Township to Route 36 in Middletown Township. It is known as Old Bridge-Matawan Road for its entire length in Old Bridge Township where it intersects US 9 then continues several more miles to the Old...
(New Brunswick Avenue/Broad Street) in a commercial area. Route 79 continues a short distance north past this intersection to its northern terminus at Route 34 (Middlesex Street). At this intersection, County Route 516 Spur continues northeast on Main Street.
History
Before 1927, what is today Route 79 was an unnumbered road. In the 1927 New Jersey state highway renumbering1927 New Jersey state highway renumbering
In 1927, New Jersey's state highways were renumbered. The old system, which had been defined in sequence by the legislature, was growing badly, as several routes shared the same number, and many unnumbered state highways had been defined...
, the route was legislated as part of Route 4, which was to run from Cape May
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May is a city at the southern tip of Cape May Peninsula in Cape May County, New Jersey, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the country's oldest vacation resort destinations. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 United States...
to the George Washington Bridge
George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Hudson River, connecting the Washington Heights neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City to Fort Lee, Bergen County, New Jersey. Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1/9 cross the river via the bridge. U.S...
. By the 1940s, U.S. Route 9 was realigned to follow this portion of road along with Route 4. Eventually, U.S. Route 9 and Route 4 were moved to a new alignment between Freehold and Cheesequake, and the former alignment between these two points became Route 4A, a spur
Spur route
A spur route is a short road forming a branch from a longer, more important route . A bypass or beltway is never considered a true spur route as it typically reconnects with the major road...
of Route 4. 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:...
, Route 4A became Route 79 between Freehold and Matawan and an extension of Route 34 between Matawan and Cheesequake. On December 15, 2006, the intersection between U.S. Route 9 and Route 79 was rebuilt to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion.