New Jersey Route 18
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| Route 18 |
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| Length: | 40.16 mi[1] (64.63 km) | ||||||||
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| Formed: | 1953 (1927 as Route S28) | ||||||||
| South end: |  NJ 138 in Wall Twp |
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| Major junctions: |
 NJ 33 in Neptune NJ 36 in Eatontown GSP in Tinton Falls NJ 34 in Colts Neck NJ 79 in Marlboro US 9 in Old Bridge  I-95 (NJTP) in East Brunswick US 1 in New Brunswick |
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| North end: | Hoes Lane in Piscataway | ||||||||
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Route 18 is a state highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Its southern terminus is at Route 138 in Wall Township; its northern terminus is at Hoes Lane at Rutgers University in Piscataway. One long section of freeway runs from its south end (exit 6) to U.S. Route 9 (exit 30); another shorter freeway connects Route 172 in New Brunswick with Hoes Lane via a bridge over the Raritan River. In between is a divided highway with jughandles. The southern freeway is the second-longest continuous state route freeway in New Jersey at 25.5 miles (41 km), more than half the length of the 40-mile (64 km) Route 55.
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[edit] Route description
Route 18 was extended north from River Road, just across the Raritan River from New Brunswick, around 2004. Plans are in place to rebuild Route 18 south to U.S. Route 1 and the New Jersey Turnpike, but not as a full freeway. There are also plans to extend Route 18 north from Hoes Lane to Interstate 287; this too may not be built as a freeway. To the south, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) had plans to extend the southern terminus to the Brielle Circle, which is why Route 138 is exit 6 rather than 0 or 1. A portion of the right-of-way that NJDOT owns has been converted into a multi-use trail that links the Wall Township Municipal complex to the existing Edgar_Felix_Bikeway that runs from Manasquan to Allaire State Park.
The north-south portion east of the Garden State Parkway (south of exit 13B in Eatontown) was initially planned as a replacement of Route 35, but those plans were cancelled and it instead became part of Route 18. Only the part south of exit 11 was built as Route 35.
The John A. Lynch, Sr. Memorial Bridge spans the Raritan River, connecting Piscataway Township on the north with New Brunswick on the south.
[edit] History
The NJDOT had anticipated upgrading the section of Route 18 through New Brunswick to freeway (or Jersey freeway) status. They even proposed an extension of the freeway from New Brunswick, through Piscataway and finally terminating at U.S. Route 22 in Bound Brook. However, tight funding in the 1970's caused both of these plans to fall through.
Prior to the 1953 renumbering, Route 18 was Route S28, and split from Route 28 near Bound Brook. It was signed east-west for a while even after it became Route 18.[2]
[edit] Future Improvements
- Route 18 through downtown New Brunswick is being upgraded to a local/express format. The project will allow for an inner freeway and an outer connector road. The project is currently under construction and will last until at least 2009. The limits of the upgrade are from Route 27 to U.S. Route 1.
- The interchange with CR 527 in Old Bridge Township will provide for missing movements and a bridge replacement, as well as potential widening.
- The current northern terminus with Hoes Lane will be extended further north as an arterial boulevard to Interstate 287. Traffic signals will be modified and upgraded, as well as consolidated. The project will be pedestrian friendly and most likely feature bike paths that will tie into the existing ones that parallel the freeway portion. The project is currently in design and will likely see construction in 2008.
- The NJDOT is in planning to create a Park & Ride at the terminus of the current Route 18 freeway. It will be placed along the four lane right of way just south of Route 138. Residents are in opposition to this proposal for fear of loitering and vandalism that may accompany the parking lot. [2]
[edit] Photo gallery
 End Route 18 signage along the recent construction to Hoes Lane |
 Route 18 northbound end of freeway (big sign for such small text) |
 Recent completion of River Road interchange (with bicycle overpass) |
 Route 18 as seen from an overpass |
 Route 18 southbound end of freeway |
 Route 18 stub end, with ramp from Route 138 east crossing the proposed right of way |
 1969 map showing part of Route 18 as Route 35 |
 This was taken from a recently made PDF map, and shows that NJDOT has not completely given up on Route 18 |
 1960 photo of Route 18 signed east in New Brunswick |
[edit] References
- ^ NJ 18 straight line diagram (PDF), New Jersey Department of Transportation, 2006.
- ^ photo taken March 1960 (larger TIFF) from [1]
