Revisiting the Creation of a Historic Landmark, The New Jersey Turnpike
Roads have always held a vital place in the repertoire of civilization. They’ve connected far-flung regions, enabled trade, and stitched different cultures into a unified tapestry.
A road is more than a mere thoroughfare. And nowhere is this truer than of the seemingly ordinary, yet astonishingly impactful, New Jersey Turnpike.
A Historical Bend in the Road
“The roads we take are more important than the goals we set.”
- Charles De Lint.
But, what if the road itself is the goal? As was the case for the New Jersey Turnpike. Stretching across 122 miles from Carneys Point Township to Ridgefield Park, crossing multiple counties and townships, it forms the backbone of New Jersey's transportation grid.
In the late 18th century, roads in America were a far cry from what we see today, often rendered impassable by harsh weather and lack of proper maintenance.
Railroads and canals were the primary modes of transportation, but roads facilitated local trade and transit. And the need for better, more reliable thoroughfares led to the advent of turnpikes. However, building and maintaining them was a burdensome task, monetarily and otherwise, which led to toll collection.
Road Construction, A Historical Perspective
As the 19th century rolled out, private companies took up the challenge of constructing and maintaining toll roads. In the east, this era is fondly remembered as the turnpike era.
By the 1930s, the New Jersey State Highway Department proposed the construction of two highways: Route 100 - which would connect New Brunswick to the George Washington Bridge and Route 300 – which would form the southern part of Turnpike running from Delaware Memorial Bridge to New Brunswick. Alas, financial constraints prevented any significant advances, leading to the formation of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority in the late '40s.
The Birth of the New Jersey Turnpike
Following its inception, plans took shape to conjoin the proposed routes into a single superhighway. Funds were raised through revenue bonds, which were repaid through future toll collections. The ambitious project necessitated the contribution of over a hundred contractors, and it was segmented into seven parts to expedite the process.
Despite many challenges, including strict timelines, varying speed limits, and exceptional engineering requirements, the highway was completed in November 1951, just about 25 months since the project's kick-off.
A Drive Down the Memory Lane: Historic Events on the NJ Turnpike
Beyond serving as a vital transportation artery, the Turnpike provides a window to the New Jersey's rich cultural, historical, and artistic tapestry, becoming a symbol of protest during the Vietnam War.
Bruce Springsteen's famous song "State Trooper" captures the essence of Turnpike. Plus, who can forget the captivating cinematography of TV series "The Sopranos," predominantly shot on Turnpike?
The Road Ahead: Future of the New Jersey Turnpike
With technological advancements, the NJ Turnpike has evolved significantly, introducing modern traffic surveillance and control systems like EZ Pass, an electronic toll collection system that has highly streamlined the toll collection process.
As traffic on the turnpike continues to grow, so does the need to expand its infrastructure. The NJ Turnpike Interchange 6 to 9 Widening Program, a construction project aimed at accommodating the projected traffic surge expected by 2032, is a step in that direction.
As you embark on your next journey on the New Jersey Turnpike, remember to reserve a moment of gratitude for the tireless hands and minds that laid this magnificent road beneath your wheels. Without their sweat and toil, we might still be fumbling along rutted paths, unable to experience the smooth ride we so often take for granted. Remember, as Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "It's not the destination, it's the journey." Take a minute to appreciate yours through the historic, beautiful, and endlessly fascinating New Jersey Turnpike.
