New Jersey

[Mr. Matté]

Another neat old road-related photo from the annals of Reddit:


source

[roadman65]

Oh yes I remember the East and West signing of Route 18.  Plus the floressant lights on Albany Street.

[J3ebrules]

Ok, I was super proud of myself for recognizing New Brunswick (even though it's 18 and super obvious), but did the poster mention the year?

[storm2k]

Another neat old road-related photo from the annals of Reddit:


source

So that was a weird circle like thing the predates the northern part of Rt 18 that was built in the late 50s looking at historic aerials. Very interesting.

[roadwaywiz95]

Coming up in a little more than a week from today will be the next installment in my new "Virtual Tour" series. We're back in the Garden State, this time focusing on a more leisurely-paced guide to Ocean Drive, one of the state's most scenic coastal routes.

Coverage kicks off on 1/18 at 5 PM ET - we certainly hope to see you there; just like last time, there will be several members of the AARoads.com forum community on hand to co-host this event with me and take your questions along the way!

A link to the Live Stream location is provided here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUfLZMIj15I

[Dougtone]

Visiting the classic Rosemont Raven Rock Bridge, a truss bridge built in 1878 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. It still allows vehicular traffic today.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2020/01/rosemont-raven-rock-bridge-over.html

[Alps]

Visiting the classic Rosemont Raven Rock Bridge, a truss bridge built in 1878 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. It still allows vehicular traffic today.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2020/01/rosemont-raven-rock-bridge-over.html

I've never heard the word Rosemont used with that bridge.

[jerseyguy]

Is it just me or does Google Maps butcher the directions at the New NJTP exit 8 interchange with Rt 33 and Rt 133?

When coming Westbound on NJ 33 to enter the turnpike GM tells motorists to use the left 2 lanes to the entrance ramp to New Jersey 133 West. Only problem is even though it is technically NJ 133, it is signed only as the NJ Turnpike because this is the only place you can go when entering NJ 133 West from NJ 33. Shouldn't directions reference the Turnpike, either outright or reference NJ 133 West toward the NJ Turnpike.

And the directions for accessing Rt 33 from NJ 133 West say "Take the Milford Rd West exit toward Twin Rivers East/East Windsor West" The sign on NJ 133 West does mention Milford road "NJ 33 to Milford Road" neither Twin Rivers or East Windsor gets mentioned (Freehold and Hightstown are the control cities). It is a bit of a odd tongue twister the Milford Road West exit to Twin Rivers East/East Winsdor West, interesting but confusing not as bad as the NJTP/NJ133 West issue but at best sloppy.

I apologize if this is in the wrong forum, but I go Rt 33 West to the NJ Turnpike North atleast every week and it is constantly reminding me how bad Google maps can be.

[jeffandnicole]

Is it just me or does Google Maps butcher the directions at the New NJTP exit 8 interchange with Rt 33 and Rt 133?

When coming Westbound on NJ 33 to enter the turnpike GM tells motorists to use the left 2 lanes to the entrance ramp to New Jersey 133 West. Only problem is even though it is technically NJ 133, it is signed only as the NJ Turnpike because this is the only place you can go when entering NJ 133 West from NJ 33. Shouldn't directions reference the Turnpike, either outright or reference NJ 133 West toward the NJ Turnpike.

And the directions for accessing Rt 33 from NJ 133 West say "Take the Milford Rd West exit toward Twin Rivers East/East Windsor West" The sign on NJ 133 West does mention Milford road "NJ 33 to Milford Road" neither Twin Rivers or East Windsor gets mentioned (Freehold and Hightstown are the control cities). It is a bit of a odd tongue twister the Milford Road West exit to Twin Rivers East/East Winsdor West, interesting but confusing not as bad as the NJTP/NJ133 West issue but at best sloppy.

I apologize if this is in the wrong forum, but I go Rt 33 West to the NJ Turnpike North atleast every week and it is constantly reminding me how bad Google maps can be.

Have you clicked on "Send Feedback" to Google Maps?  The app is only as good as the users that notify them of issues.

[jerseyguy]

Have you clicked on "Send Feedback" to Google Maps?  The app is only as good as the users that notify them of issues.

Yes, I have and 2 months later, I havent heard anything (well except the automated email that happens 3 seconds after the submission) I fixed another problem where a section of a road didn't exist by reporting it in Waze, Waze fixed it within 10 days and at some point Google Maps was fixed too. Google owns Waze. Guess I'll have to see if I can fix this that way

[TheGrassGuy]

I wonder any photos survive of eastern I-280 when it was still signed as NJ-58.

[roadman65]

I wonder any photos survive of eastern I-280 when it was still signed as NJ-58.

I do not know that one, but I do know that the Broad Street ramp to I-280 E Bound for a long period into the mid 80's was still signed in text "NJ 58 EAST- HARRISON- JERSEY CITY".  I do not know when the signs were updated, but I think the NJ 58 mention was eliminated.  Probably the same time NJDOT finally put I-280 shields on NJ 21 which took into the 90's to accomplish when that part was open as I-280 back in the mid 70's.

[TheGrassGuy]

For all of you who are interested, here's a list of all county routes in Bergen County signed with pentagons:

CR 4 (W Oakland Ave) and I-287 NB exit/entrance ramp
CR 7 (Sheridan Ave) and E Prospect St
CR 12 (Market St) and CR 507 (River Rd)
CR 17 (River Rd) and Northumberland Rd
CR 17 (River Rd) and NJ-4 EB exit/entrance ramp
CR 29 (Linwood Ave) and US-9W
CR 48 (Fairview Ave) and US-1-9
CR 55 (Polifly Rd) and I-80 WB exit ramp
CR 62 (Paramus Rd) and Red Mill Rd
CR 65 (Terrace Ave) and NJ-17 SB entrance ramp
CR 65 (Westminster Pl) and US-46
CR 67 (Midland Ave) and NJ-4 (Broadway)
CR 75 (E Saddle River Rd) and E Glen Ave
CR 76 (Fair Lawn Ave) and NJ-208 EB exit ramp
CR 79 (Saddle River Rd) and Red Mill Rd
CR 82 (E Glen Ave) and E Saddle River Rd
CR 124 (Bergen Tpk) and US-46

Well, well, well. Look what we have here. (This used to be a state route, by the way.)
And here.

[NJRoadfan]

Traffic light overhead signs posted by NJDOT don't count. Find one besides that CR-60 shield that Bergen County DPW posted elsewhere in the county.

[storm2k]

So I've noticed that NJDOT has spread the use of shields with no backplates to LGS's and also to the street sign name blades they use on NJDOT issue traffic lights.

This sign at the entrance to 22EB from Mountain Ave in Somerville was replaced recently and has a shield with no backplate. Also, this traffic light at the intersection of 35 and CR514 in Woodbridge got a new street sign blade and the 35 shield does not have a backplate, even though the light across the street does (that sign was installed in the 2011-12 timeframe).

[Alps]

So I've noticed that NJDOT has spread the use of shields with no backplates to LGS's and also to the street sign name blades they use on NJDOT issue traffic lights.

This sign at the entrance to 22EB from Mountain Ave in Somerville was replaced recently and has a shield with no backplate. Also, this traffic light at the intersection of 35 and CR514 in Woodbridge got a new street sign blade and the 35 shield does not have a backplate, even though the light across the street does (that sign was installed in the 2011-12 timeframe).

Ideally every new sign will have it. That is the new standard.

[TheGrassGuy]

So I've noticed that NJDOT has spread the use of shields with no backplates to LGS's and also to the street sign name blades they use on NJDOT issue traffic lights.

This sign at the entrance to 22EB from Mountain Ave in Somerville was replaced recently and has a shield with no backplate. Also, this traffic light at the intersection of 35 and CR514 in Woodbridge got a new street sign blade and the 35 shield does not have a backplate, even though the light across the street does (that sign was installed in the 2011-12 timeframe).

You mean those black squares behind US and state route shields that began disappearing from BGSes a few years ago?

[roadman65]

What is up with the underlying that NJDOT used to do on guide signs for street names?  Remember how all streets were underlined in text while the control cities were beneath them?  I noticed that was a jersey thing, however Michigan underlines cardinal directions on some freeway guides, but no place else I have ever seen proper street names underscored outside the Garden State.

[Alps]

What is up with the underlying that NJDOT used to do on guide signs for street names?  Remember how all streets were underlined in text while the control cities were beneath them?  I noticed that was a jersey thing, however Michigan underlines cardinal directions on some freeway guides, but no place else I have ever seen proper street names underscored outside the Garden State.

I have only ever seen that in isolated locations on 17 and 4.

[jeffandnicole]

Probably just the relatively randomness of NJDOT.  I'm sure I've seen some myself, but I guess most of them simply show the street name displayed above a destination municipality.  In the 3rd example below, Market Street should be separated from the two towns shown as it's Market Street for both directions.

https://goo.gl/maps/kg4EHKDN8b7p4Ut49

https://goo.gl/maps/VSWRtHf4pLt5WDj9A

https://goo.gl/maps/MySzsZo1wK1Jx9jq7

[royo6022]

Hey guys, I've never been to New Jersey/New York area but I will be traveling through there here in a few weeks and was wondering if there were any roads I should avoid currently? I am traveling from Indiana to the South of Brooklyn.

[jeffandnicole]

Hey guys, I've never been to New Jersey/New York area but I will be traveling through there here in a few weeks and was wondering if there were any roads I should avoid currently? I am traveling from Indiana to the South of Brooklyn.

What route you planning on taking?  It would appear I-80 would be your most likely option.

No real issues.  Time of day and/or weather may be a factor regarding congestion.  Google Maps/Waze or your GPS unit will be your friend in case something pops up.

[roadman65]

Probably just the relatively randomness of NJDOT.  I'm sure I've seen some myself, but I guess most of them simply show the street name displayed above a destination municipality.  In the 3rd example below, Market Street should be separated from the two towns shown as it's Market Street for both directions.

https://goo.gl/maps/kg4EHKDN8b7p4Ut49

https://goo.gl/maps/VSWRtHf4pLt5WDj9A

https://goo.gl/maps/MySzsZo1wK1Jx9jq7

https://goo.gl/maps/fpSvfA1U4XPYY54WA
These here on US 22 in North Jersey are one of many all about NJ at one time.

[storm2k]

Probably just the relatively randomness of NJDOT.  I'm sure I've seen some myself, but I guess most of them simply show the street name displayed above a destination municipality.  In the 3rd example below, Market Street should be separated from the two towns shown as it's Market Street for both directions.

https://goo.gl/maps/kg4EHKDN8b7p4Ut49

https://goo.gl/maps/VSWRtHf4pLt5WDj9A

https://goo.gl/maps/MySzsZo1wK1Jx9jq7

https://goo.gl/maps/fpSvfA1U4XPYY54WA
These here on US 22 in North Jersey are one of many all about NJ at one time.

I personally like this style and wish the state would use it more. I wish they would have put the CR529 shield on the sign properly. I feel that this matters in a lot of places within NJ, because plenty of roads are more known by their local names and not their route numbers. I would bet most people would never know Easton Ave's route number if you asked them. It's always been referred to as Easton Ave, even though it's clearly signed as CR527 throughout.

[roadman65]

Do people yet call Route 495 as such or do they still refer to it as Route 3?   

NJ folks are as funny as those in MA who won't accept MA 128 as I-95 at times.  Even traffic reports were calling Route 139 as One and Nine and if the tunnel backed up it would be "The One and Nine approach to the Holland Tunnel is a mess" and that was long after the Business routes got cancelled.   I heard it changed now since I left, but I bet many still thing I-78 ends at the Turnpike and have no clue it goes with the Newark Bay Extension and through the Tunnel into Manhattan.

Yes the underscore I like and yes CR 529 should be in the sign itself.  I wish too that I-78 would have more shields from Route 22 though as many roads between the two exist and if Route 78 were the Parkway and Turnpike it would be signed too well along Route 22.  Seems toll roads get shields everywhere for some reason, but nearby interstates do not.

In Springfield along NJ 124 lacks a ramp to I-78 E Bound due to the cancelled I-278 that would have tied in there, but at Vauxhall Road you think that NJDOT would sign a TO I-78 East shield there to compensate.  No!  If it were me I would sign a TO I-78 Shield on EB NJ 124 at the ramp to WB I-78 and again at Vauxhall.  Going WB I-78 East would have a TO shield at Vauxhall as well.  I would even sign a TO I-78 EAST assembly along NJ 82 at Liberty Avenue to direct motorists to EB 78 from NJ 124 where I-78 WEST is plentiful signed.

NJ has many good signing practices even though many places could see improvement like regular mileage signs on its interstates instead of small all caps signs denoting townships not on the map as the control cities.  Ewing for I-295 N Bound sucks as well as Solebury, PA on US 202 SB in Raritan.  I think New Hope would better fit in the latter as more people heard of New Hope as no one has ever heard of Solebury, PA including map publishers.