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Route 48 (New Jersey)
Encyclopedia
Route 48 is an east–west state highway
in Salem County
in the U.S. state
of New Jersey
. It is a 4.26 miles (6.86 km) route running from U.S. Route 130
(Virginia Avenue) and County Route 675 (Main Street) in Penns Grove
to U.S. Route 40
(Wiley Road) in Carneys Point Township
. It is known as East Main Street from U.S. Route 130 to DuPont Road, and as the Harding Highway from DuPont Road to its terminus at U.S. Route 40. Route 48 is signed east–west, although it travels more northwest-southeast throughout its route. It is a two-lane, undivided road through its entire length that intersects with Interstate 295
and County Route 551
.
The road was originally created as Route 18S, running from Penns Grove to Atlantic City
, in 1923, before becoming Route 48 in 1927. In Penns Grove, the route ended at a ferry which crossed the Delaware River
to Wilmington, Delaware
, connecting with Delaware Route 48
until the ferry service was terminated in 1951, when the Delaware Memorial Bridge
opened. U.S. Route 40 was also designated to run along the entire length of the route between Penns Grove and Atlantic City. On two occasions, U.S. Route 40 has been relocated off portions of Route 48: once following a realignment to a ferry between New Castle, Delaware
and Pennsville and again after the Delaware Memorial Bridge and New Jersey Turnpike
opened in 1951. Route 48 was designated onto its current alignment in 1953, eliminating the concurrency it shared with U.S. Route 40 from Carneys Point Township to Atlantic City.
and County Route 675 in Penns Grove
, heading to the southeast on Main Street, a two-lane, undivided road with a speed limit of 25 mph (40.2 km/h) rising to 30 mph (48.3 km/h). County Route 675 continues west on Main Street past U.S. Route 130. The road passes through residential areas, intersecting with local roads before entering Carneys Point Township
, where the speed limit increases to 40 mph (64.4 km/h). In Carneys Point Township, Route 48 crosses Dupont Road, becoming Harding Highway, and passes by Penns Grove High School
, located on the south side of the road. The road enters a more rural setting with a 50 mph (80.5 km/h) speed limit and intersects County Route 601 (Golfwood Avenue) at a signalized intersection. Shortly after County Route 601, the road comes to an interchange with Interstate 295
. Route 48 continues southeast through a mix of woodland and farmland, intersecting County Route 551
(Pennsville-Auburn Road) at a traffic light. Just past the County Route 551 intersection, the road intersects County Route 628 (Game Creek Road), passing by Laytons Lake before crossing over the New Jersey Turnpike
. Route 48 continues southeast for about another mile, crossing Stumpy Road before ending at an intersection with U.S. Route 40
.
along what was known as the Harding Highway. U.S. Route 40 was designated along the length of Route 18S, running east from a ferry dock in Penns Grove where the route crossed the Delaware River
to Wilmington, Delaware
to continue its journey west. The entire routing of Route 18S was designated Route 48 in the 1927 renumbering of New Jersey state highways, running concurrent with U.S. Route 40 its entire length. Until the Delaware Memorial Bridge
opened in 1951, a ferry connected New Jersey Route 48 to Delaware Route 48
in Wilmington. U.S. Route 40 had used this ferry, but was eventually moved to a ferry that ran from New Castle, Delaware
to Pennsville, with U.S. Route 40 being rerouted to follow present-day Route 49, various local roads, and County Route 551 to reach Route 48 and continue east along with that route. Following the completion of both the Delaware Memorial Bridge and the New Jersey Turnpike in 1951, U.S. Route 40 was routed off more of Route 48 onto a new alignment, joining the route at its current eastern terminus. In the 1953 renumbering of New Jersey state highways, Route 48 was designated onto its current alignment from U.S. Route 130 to U.S. Route 40, with the rest of the route dropped in favor of the U.S. Route 40 designation. The old alignment of Route 48 to the ferry terminal is now County Route 675.
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 Salem County
Salem County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 64,285 people, 24,295 households, and 17,370 families residing in the county. The population density was 190 people per square mile . There were 26,158 housing units at an average density of 77 per square mile...
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 is a 4.26 miles (6.86 km) route running from U.S. Route 130
U.S. Route 130
U.S. Route 130 is a north–south U.S. Highway completely within the state of New Jersey. It runs from Interstate 295 and US 40 at Deepwater in Pennsville Township, Salem County, where the road continues east as Route 49, north to US 1 in North Brunswick Township, Middlesex County, where...
(Virginia Avenue) and County Route 675 (Main Street) in Penns Grove
Penns Grove, New Jersey
Penns Grove is a Borough in Salem County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 4,886.Penns Grove was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 8, 1894, from portions of Upper Penns Neck Township Penns Grove is a...
to U.S. Route 40
U.S. Route 40 in New Jersey
U.S. Route 40 is a U.S. highway running from Park City, Utah east to Atlantic City, New Jersey. The easternmost segment of the route runs through the southern part of New Jersey between the Delaware Memorial Bridge over the Delaware River in Pennsville Township, Salem County, where it continues...
(Wiley Road) in Carneys Point Township
Carneys Point Township, New Jersey
Carneys Point Township is a Township in Salem County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 8,049....
. It is known as East Main Street from U.S. Route 130 to DuPont Road, and as the Harding Highway from DuPont Road to its terminus at U.S. Route 40. Route 48 is signed east–west, although it travels more northwest-southeast throughout its route. It is a two-lane, undivided road through its entire length that intersects with Interstate 295
Interstate 295 (Delaware-New Jersey)
Interstate 295 in New Jersey and Delaware is an auxiliary Interstate Highway, designated as a bypass around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The route begins at a junction with Interstate 95 south of Wilmington, Delaware, and runs to another junction with I-95 north of Trenton, New Jersey...
and County Route 551
County Route 551 (New Jersey)
County Route 551, abbreviated CR 551, is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Pennsville-Salem Road in Pennsville Township to Penn Street in Camden.-Salem County:...
.
The road was originally created as Route 18S, running from Penns Grove to Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, in 1923, before becoming Route 48 in 1927. In Penns Grove, the route ended at a ferry which crossed the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
to Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
, connecting with Delaware Route 48
Delaware Route 48
Delaware Route 48 connects the City of Wilmington, Delaware to an intersection with Delaware Route 41 about from the Pennsylvania state line in Hockessin, Delaware....
until the ferry service was terminated in 1951, when the Delaware Memorial Bridge
Delaware Memorial Bridge
The Delaware Memorial Bridge is a set of twin suspension bridges crossing the Delaware River. The toll bridges carry Interstate 295 and U.S. Route 40 between Delaware and New Jersey...
opened. U.S. Route 40 was also designated to run along the entire length of the route between Penns Grove and Atlantic City. On two occasions, U.S. Route 40 has been relocated off portions of Route 48: once following a realignment to a ferry between New Castle, Delaware
New Castle, Delaware
New Castle is a city in New Castle County, Delaware, six miles south of Wilmington, situated on the Delaware River. In 1900, 3,380 people lived here; in 1910, 3,351...
and Pennsville and again after the Delaware Memorial Bridge and 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...
opened in 1951. Route 48 was designated onto its current alignment in 1953, eliminating the concurrency it shared with U.S. Route 40 from Carneys Point Township to Atlantic City.
Route description
Route 48 begins at a traffic light with U.S. Route 130U.S. Route 130
U.S. Route 130 is a north–south U.S. Highway completely within the state of New Jersey. It runs from Interstate 295 and US 40 at Deepwater in Pennsville Township, Salem County, where the road continues east as Route 49, north to US 1 in North Brunswick Township, Middlesex County, where...
and County Route 675 in Penns Grove
Penns Grove, New Jersey
Penns Grove is a Borough in Salem County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 4,886.Penns Grove was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 8, 1894, from portions of Upper Penns Neck Township Penns Grove is a...
, heading to the southeast on Main Street, a two-lane, undivided road with a speed limit of 25 mph (40.2 km/h) rising to 30 mph (48.3 km/h). County Route 675 continues west on Main Street past U.S. Route 130. The road passes through residential areas, intersecting with local roads before entering Carneys Point Township
Carneys Point Township, New Jersey
Carneys Point Township is a Township in Salem County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 8,049....
, where the speed limit increases to 40 mph (64.4 km/h). In Carneys Point Township, Route 48 crosses Dupont Road, becoming Harding Highway, and passes by Penns Grove High School
Penns Grove High School
Penns Grove High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Carneys Point Township and Penns Grove in Salem County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District...
, located on the south side of the road. The road enters a more rural setting with a 50 mph (80.5 km/h) speed limit and intersects County Route 601 (Golfwood Avenue) at a signalized intersection. Shortly after County Route 601, the road comes to an interchange with Interstate 295
Interstate 295 (Delaware-New Jersey)
Interstate 295 in New Jersey and Delaware is an auxiliary Interstate Highway, designated as a bypass around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The route begins at a junction with Interstate 95 south of Wilmington, Delaware, and runs to another junction with I-95 north of Trenton, New Jersey...
. Route 48 continues southeast through a mix of woodland and farmland, intersecting County Route 551
County Route 551 (New Jersey)
County Route 551, abbreviated CR 551, is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Pennsville-Salem Road in Pennsville Township to Penn Street in Camden.-Salem County:...
(Pennsville-Auburn Road) at a traffic light. Just past the County Route 551 intersection, the road intersects County Route 628 (Game Creek Road), passing by Laytons Lake before crossing over 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...
. Route 48 continues southeast for about another mile, crossing Stumpy Road before ending at an intersection with U.S. Route 40
U.S. Route 40 in New Jersey
U.S. Route 40 is a U.S. highway running from Park City, Utah east to Atlantic City, New Jersey. The easternmost segment of the route runs through the southern part of New Jersey between the Delaware Memorial Bridge over the Delaware River in Pennsville Township, Salem County, where it continues...
.
History
The route was designated as Route 18S in 1923, running from Penns Grove southeast to Atlantic CityAtlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
along what was known as the Harding Highway. U.S. Route 40 was designated along the length of Route 18S, running east from a ferry dock in Penns Grove where the route crossed the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
to Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
to continue its journey west. The entire routing of Route 18S was designated Route 48 in the 1927 renumbering of New Jersey state highways, running concurrent with U.S. Route 40 its entire length. Until the Delaware Memorial Bridge
Delaware Memorial Bridge
The Delaware Memorial Bridge is a set of twin suspension bridges crossing the Delaware River. The toll bridges carry Interstate 295 and U.S. Route 40 between Delaware and New Jersey...
opened in 1951, a ferry connected New Jersey Route 48 to Delaware Route 48
Delaware Route 48
Delaware Route 48 connects the City of Wilmington, Delaware to an intersection with Delaware Route 41 about from the Pennsylvania state line in Hockessin, Delaware....
in Wilmington. U.S. Route 40 had used this ferry, but was eventually moved to a ferry that ran from New Castle, Delaware
New Castle, Delaware
New Castle is a city in New Castle County, Delaware, six miles south of Wilmington, situated on the Delaware River. In 1900, 3,380 people lived here; in 1910, 3,351...
to Pennsville, with U.S. Route 40 being rerouted to follow present-day Route 49, various local roads, and County Route 551 to reach Route 48 and continue east along with that route. Following the completion of both the Delaware Memorial Bridge and the New Jersey Turnpike in 1951, U.S. Route 40 was routed off more of Route 48 onto a new alignment, joining the route at its current eastern terminus. In the 1953 renumbering of New Jersey state highways, Route 48 was designated onto its current alignment from U.S. Route 130 to U.S. Route 40, with the rest of the route dropped in favor of the U.S. Route 40 designation. The old alignment of Route 48 to the ferry terminal is now County Route 675.