http://yummygal.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/new-jersey-circles-aerials/
This gal started a blog about South Jersey in general, but has been posting a nice assortment of aerials of the various traffic circles that formerly existed, along with some circles that still remain prior to being the mess they currently are.
The Brooklawn Circles are pictured prior to the heavy commercial development that currently exists. About the only 2 things that remain the same from then is the railroad tressle over the US 130 connector between the 2 circles, and the billboard near the railroad tracks!
And the Airport Circle, which truly was a round circle back in the day, still has the same Y overpass thru the middle. In fact, take a look at the photo, then look at a current day photo from about the same angle ( http://goo.gl/maps/RGkqt ), and you'll notice how the overpasses and the US 30 WB roadway in the upper right have not changed in the 50 +/- years between the photos!
Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 14, 2013, 07:49:30 PMAnd the Airport Circle, which truly was a round circle back in the day, still has the same Y overpass thru the middle. In fact, take a look at the photo, then look at a current day photo from about the same angle ( http://goo.gl/maps/RGkqt ), and you'll notice how the overpasses and the US 30 WB roadway in the upper right have not changed in the 50 +/- years between the photos!
It's worth noting that some portions of the concrete pavement (at least the ramps for NJ 38/70 Eastbound, lower-left of above photo-link) appear to be the original pavement. Having driven on that ramp daily for nearly 7 years (1991-1998), I can personally attest that the concrete pavement there is very old.
The traffic circle I'd like see more of is the former circle where US 322 and 40 meet east of Mays Landing. I have a vague memory of passing through that when I was young. It was removed in the early 80s. It's gone by the 1985 topo map. I'm not sure what name it had. Mays Landing is a possibility. I found out that intersection is considered to be at McKee City NJ:
http://goo.gl/maps/nbMp4
It's not even listed on the list of NJ circles:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_traffic_circles_in_New_Jersey
Although it does say it is incomplete.
But here is where it was:
http://www.historicaerials.com/aerials.php?scale=6.14198520014993E-06&lat=39.4507583906156&lon=-74.6436740535334&year=1951
Speaking of NJ road history, I noticed that the interchange between US 322 and NJ 50 looks like it was under construction in the 1931 historical aerials. I didn't know back then that it was a cloverleaf interchange and dated back that far. I don't get why they felt an interchange was needed there when it was out in the middle of nowhere.
NJ 54 @ US 322 (which was NJ 42 then) was also interesting. It started as an intersection as I would expect. Then NJ 54 bypassed the intersection with an overpass. But the full interchange didn't come until later.
The US 322 wiki page says:
QuoteUS 322 turns south and enters Hamilton Township, where it encounters County Route 559 at a traffic circle that has been modified to have US 322 run through it.
I don't see any evidence that this was actually a circle. The 1957 aerial shows just a 4 way intersection. While the 1963 aerial shows the current configuration. So if it was a circle it was a short lived one.
I could believe it being a circle briefly during that era...I've seen other aerial photos where a lot of changes occurred in very short time periods in the 50's and 60's....unlike today where planning phases take a decade or more for a simple intersection widening.
Quote from: BrianP on March 15, 2013, 11:23:02 AM
Speaking of NJ road history, I noticed that the interchange between US 322 and NJ 50 looks like it was under construction in the 1931 historical aerials. I didn't know back then that it was a cloverleaf interchange and dated back that far. I don't get why they felt an interchange was needed there when it was out in the middle of nowhere.
NJ 54 @ US 322 (which was NJ 42 then) was also interesting. It started as an intersection as I would expect. Then NJ 54 bypassed the intersection with an overpass. But the full interchange didn't come until later.
NJDOT clearly had bigger plans for NJ-54 north of there for some unknown reason. The utilities are set back and there is enough ROW to dualize the road to the current ACE interchange. There is also ROW in the area of the NJ-73 (actually county maintained at that point) intersection for possible ramps/jughandle in the NE quadrant.
Quote from: NJRoadfan on March 16, 2013, 01:14:11 AM
Quote from: BrianP on March 15, 2013, 11:23:02 AM
Speaking of NJ road history, I noticed that the interchange between US 322 and NJ 50 looks like it was under construction in the 1931 historical aerials. I didn't know back then that it was a cloverleaf interchange and dated back that far. I don't get why they felt an interchange was needed there when it was out in the middle of nowhere.
NJ 54 @ US 322 (which was NJ 42 then) was also interesting. It started as an intersection as I would expect. Then NJ 54 bypassed the intersection with an overpass. But the full interchange didn't come until later.
NJDOT clearly had bigger plans for NJ-54 north of there for some unknown reason. The utilities are set back and there is enough ROW to dualize the road to the current ACE interchange. There is also ROW in the area of the NJ-73 (actually county maintained at that point) intersection for possible ramps/jughandle in the NE quadrant.
Known reason: once thought of as a freeway corridor.