New Jersey Route 47

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Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Pine Barrens Byway
Major junctions
South endAtlantic Avenue in Wildwood
Major intersections
North end
CR 753 in Brooklawn
Location
CountryUnited States
StateNew Jersey
CountiesCape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Camden
Highway system
CR 662

Route 47 is a state highway in the southern part of New Jersey. It runs 75.20 mi (121.02 km) from Atlantic Avenue in Wildwood, Cape May County, north to U.S. Route 130 (US 130) in Brooklawn, Camden County. It is also referred to as Delsea Drive, as it connects the Delaware River near Brooklawn to the Atlantic Ocean (the sea) in Wildwood. This name was assigned by the New Jersey Legislature in 1933. The route runs through rural areas of Cape May and southern Cumberland counties as a two-lane road. Traffic jams along this portion of Route 47 are commonplace in the summer vacation season and can stretch for miles due to the missing southern section of Route 55, where all Jersey Shore-bound traffic enters the small two-lane road. North of here, the route runs through the cities of Millville and Vineland before entering Gloucester County, where it passes through more rural areas as well as Clayton and Glassboro. Past Glassboro, it heads through suburban areas in Washington and Deptford townships before running through Westville and Brooklawn. Route 47 is the longest signed state route in New Jersey.[1]

What is now Route 47 was originally designated as part of

pre-1927 Route 20 between Millville and Westville in 1923. In 1927, Route 47 was designated to run from Tuckahoe to Brooklawn, following current Route 49 south of Millville. Meanwhile, current Route 47 was a part of Route 49 between South Dennis and Millville and Route S49 between Rio Grande and South Dennis. The latter was extended to Wildwood in 1938. Route 47 and Route 49 were shifted onto their current alignments south of Millville in 1953. Since then, Route 47 has seen a few improvements and modifications including realignment in Millville and the reconstruction of the intersection with Route 83 in Dennis Township
.

Route description

Cape May County

Southern terminus of Route 47 at Rio Grande Avenue and Atlantic Avenue in Wildwood

Route 47 begins at a traffic light with Atlantic Avenue in the

center left-turn lane and passes businesses, intersecting Susquehanna Avenue.[1][2] Here, Route 47 becomes signed and maintained by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, turning into a divided highway again a short distance later at the intersection with CR 624 (West Rio Grande Boulevard).[1] At this intersection, the route enters Lower Township and crosses over the Grassy Sound via the George Redding Bridge, which is a drawbridge.[1][2] The road turns more to the west-northwest and runs through wetlands with some homes to the south of the road, with the Wildwoods Welcome Center adjacent to the southbound lanes; the welcome center is accessible via a direct southbound ramp and via a left turn northbound.[2] Route 47 enters Middle Township and continues past more marshland as well as some marinas adjacent to the Richardson Sound on the south side of the road.[1][2] The route turns northwest again and comes to a partial cloverleaf interchange with the Garden State Parkway.[1] Past this interchange, Route 47 heads into a commercial district in the Rio Grande section of Middle Township.[1][2] At the intersection with Fifth Street, the route becomes a three-lane undivided road with a center left-turn lane and continues to an intersection with US 9 (Shore Road).[1]

Route 47 southbound past the southern terminus of Route 347 in Dennis Township

Past the US 9 intersection, Route 47 becomes Delsea Drive and continues past more businesses, crossing the

CR 618 which, along with Route 147, provides an alternate route to The Wildwoods.[1][4] Past this intersection, the road passes more rural dwellings and enters the community of Dias Creek, where it intersects CR 612. The route crosses over Bidwell Creek near wetlands and heads into forests. It reaches the residential community of Goshen, where there is an intersection with CR 615.[1][2] Past Goshen, Route 47 turns northeast and heads through rural woods and farms with some homes and wetlands.[2]

Upon crossing Sluice Creek, the route enters

CR 550 Spur. Past this intersection, the road intersects Old State Highway, a connector road to CR 550 Spur, before turning west into wooded areas.[1][2]

Cumberland County

Route 47 southbound past Schooner Landing Road in Maurice River Township

Upon crossing

CR 670 in a commercial area prior to Route 347 merging back into the route.[1][2] Here, Route 47 splits into a brief one-way pair with the northbound direction heading east on CR 670 and north on Route 347, and the southbound direction remaining on Delsea Drive.[2] From here, Route 47 continues north on Delsea Drive through forested areas with some homes before crossing over the Muskee Creek. It continues into the community of Port Elizabeth, where it meets the western terminus of CR 548. Just past this intersection, the route crosses the Manumuskin River and continues north through woodland with some development.[1][2] The route intersects the southern terminus of Route 55, where that route continues north along the road and Route 47 turns off at a jughandle.[1] South of the Route 55 intersection, Route 47 is part of a major road linking the Philadelphia area with the Jersey Shore resorts of Cape May County. During the summer months, it sees regular traffic jams from traffic coming off Route 55. A proposal to extend Route 55 south to Cape May County, on hold for decades due to environmental concerns, would relieve traffic along Route 47.[6]

View north along Route 47 at College Drive in Vineland

From here, Route 47 continues through a mix of trees and residences, intersecting Schooner Landing Road, which provides access to and from northbound Route 55. Just past this intersection, the route crosses the

CR 552 Spur.[1] Past this intersection, CR 555 heads farther to the east and Route 47 crosses the Winchester and Western Railroad line a second time, passing a mix of residences, businesses, and industrial buildings. The road becomes three lanes with a center-left turn lane as it heads through commercial areas in the northern part of Millville. Upon intersecting High Street, the route widens to five lanes before entering Vineland, where the name becomes Delsea Drive again and it intersects Route 55 at a partial cloverleaf interchange.[1][2]

Past this interchange, Route 47 passes the Cumberland Mall on the east side of the road as a six-lane divided highway. Past the mall, the route becomes a five-lane road with a center left-turn lane again and passes more commercial establishments in the southern part of Vineland, before heading into wooded residential areas with some farmland. It crosses CR 552 and becomes a two-lane road, running through business areas with some homes.[1][2] As Route 47 continues north through the city, it comes to an intersection with Chestnut Avenue, where it gains a center left-turn lane.[1] From here, it passes more commercial buildings before crossing Landis Avenue, which heads to the west as Route 56.[1][2] Past this intersection, the road crosses a Winchester and Western Railroad line before intersecting CR 540.[1] Route 47 continues north through a mix of dwellings and businesses in the northern part of Vineland, narrowing back into a two-lane road at the crossing of CR 681. The road heads through predominantly residential areas as it comes to an intersection with CR 674.[1][2] Past this intersection, the route passes near Kroelinger Airport and continues through mostly rural inhabited areas with some businesses.[2] It crosses CR 690 (Weymouth Road) before passing through wooded sectors with some homes and farms.[1][2]

Gloucester and Camden counties

Route 47 northbound in Glassboro

Route 47 crosses into Franklin Township, Gloucester County, where it passes more farms, woods, and homes before coming to an intersection with US 40 in the community of Malaga. Here, US 40 and Route 47 form a concurrency and head northeast through populated areas as a three-lane road with a center left-turn lane, crossing over Conrail Shared Assets Operations' Vineland Secondary railroad line.[1][2] Immediately after this crossing, US 40 splits from Route 47 by heading southeast on Harding Highway while Route 47 turns northwest to continue along Delsea Drive, a two-lane road.[1] Route 47 leaves Malaga and passes through a mix of dwellings and businesses with some areas of farms and woods, running a short distance to the east of the railroad line.[2] The road heads into more forested areas before it comes to an intersection with CR 612 in the residential and business community of Iona. Route 47 continues past homes and commercial establishments as it comes to a crossroads with CR 538, where it turns to the north. The route passes more development with some farmland before it enters Clayton.[1][2]

Here, the road heads through residential areas with some commercial establishments, crossing CR 610 in the center of town.[1][2] As the road continues north, it heads through a mix of homes and farmland with a few commercial areas.[2] Route 47 enters inhabited areas again as it crosses into Glassboro. The road continues north and enters business areas before heading into neighborhoods and coming to an intersection with High Street, which runs east as US 322/CR 536 and west as CR 641.[1][2] Here, US 322 and CR 536 join Route 47 for a concurrency.[1] The three routes head through commercial areas before US 322 and CR 536 turn to the west on West Street.[1][2] Past this intersection, Route 47 continues north as a three-lane road with a center left-turn lane, passing more buildings.[2] The route intersects CR 553 and forms a concurrency with that route which lasts until CR 553 turns north onto Woodbury Avenue.[1] Along this concurrency, the road widens to five lanes as it passes a couple shopping centers.[2] Past the concurrency, Route 47 runs north through suburban localities as a two-lane road and becomes a border between Pitman to the west and Glassboro to the east and enters Washington Township at the crossing of Kressey Lake.[1][2] In Washington Township, the road passes more populated areas as well as businesses.[2] Route 47 runs to the east of Bethel Mill County Park before entering more residential areas, crossing CR 635.[1][2] The road passes through a mix of homes and commercial establishments with some farmland and wooded areas as it continues through more of Washington Township.[2]

Route 47 northbound past CR 534 in Deptford Township

At the border with

traffic circle with US 130 and CR 753, where Route 47 ends and CR 551 continues on to Camden, forming a brief concurrency with US 130.[1][2]

History

Route S49 (1927-1953)

The portion of Route 47 south of Port Elizabeth was a part of the Cohanseu trail, a Lenape trail running from Swedesboro to Cape May.[8] North of Port Elizabeth, the road was maintained by several turnpikes: the Westville and Glassboro Turnpike, chartered in 1852, following Tanyard Road and Woodbury Road south of New Sharon; the Glassboro and Malaga Turnpike, chartered in 1851; the Millville and Malaga Turnpike, chartered in 1852; and the Port Elizabeth and Millville Turnpike, chartered in 1852. The modern road north of Port Elizabeth and from Dennisville to Goshen was incorporated into the Cape May Way, an auto trail running from Camden to Cape May.[9]

Route 47 southbound approaching split with Route 347 in Maurice River Township

The road was originally designated as a segment of

Woodbury Times joked how the road connected the DELaware River to the Atlantic SEA.[14] Route S49 was extended from Rio Grande to Park Boulevard in Wildwood in 1938.[15] In the 1953 New Jersey state highway renumbering, Route 47 and Route 49 switched alignments south and east of Millville and Route 47 replaced Route S49 south to Wildwood.[16][17]

Route 47 southbound at the Garden State Parkway interchange in Middle Township

By the 1980s, Route 47 was moved from High Street to North Second Street through the northern part of Millville.

doo wop atmosphere the beach resort is known for.[21] The Route 47 bridge over Dennis Creek in Dennis Township and the Route 83 intersection received improvements that were completed in July 2007. The Route 47 bridge over the creek was structurally deficient and in need of replacing. The job was completed with wider shoulders and a wider sidewalk on the new bridge. The intersection between Route 47 and Route 83 was also realigned and had signals installed.[22]

In 2018, a $10 million construction project began to improve the section of Route 47 along Rio Grande Avenue at the entrance to Wildwood, which added a center left-turn lane, raised the road by 30 inches (76 cm), and added new lighting and signs. The project was completed in 2020.[23][24] A dedication ceremony marking the completion of the project was held on July 1, 2020, with local officials in attendance. As part of the project, Rio Grande Avenue leading into Wildwood was to be renamed to Beach Ball Boulevard following a contest to rename the roadway.[25] However, on July 10, 2020, it was announced that the Wildwood city commissioners decided to keep the road name as Rio Grande Avenue after receiving input from residents that the road name should not change.[26]

Major intersections

CountyLocationmi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
Cape MayWildwood0.000.00Atlantic Avenue / Rio Grande AvenueSouthern terminus
0.260.42
CR 621 / Ocean Drive
(New Jersey Avenue)
Middle Township3.08–
3.15
4.96–
5.07


G.S. Parkway to A.C. Expressway
Exits 4 A-B (Garden State Parkway)
3.766.05 US 9 (Shore Road) – Cape May, Cape May Court House
Dennis Township17.5428.23
Route 83 east – Clermont, Sea Isle City, Avalon
Western terminus of Route 83
20.2032.51
CR 557 north (Washington Avenue) – Woodbine
Southern terminus of CR 557
20.9133.65
Route 347 north – Millville, Camden
Southern terminus of Route 347
23.4037.66

CR 550 Spur
east (Paper Mill Road)
Western terminus of CR 550 Spur
CumberlandMaurice River Township29.5347.52
CR 550 east (Leesburg Belleplain Road) – Belleplain
Western terminus of CR 550
31.9551.42
Route 347 south – Wildwood, Cape May
Northern terminus of Route 347
33.8354.44
CR 548 east (Broadway) – Tuckahoe
Western terminus of CR 548
35.0856.46
Route 55 north – Millville, Vineland
Southern terminus of Route 55
Millville40.2064.70 Route 49 / CR 555 (Main Street) – Millville Business District
40.6665.44

CR 552 Spur
east (Broad Street)
Western terminus of CR 552 Spur
Vineland42.47–
42.50
68.35–
68.40
Route 55 – Malaga, Cape May, WildwoodExit 27 (Route 55)
43.7570.41
CR 552 (West Sherman Avenue) to Route 55 – Bridgeton, Milmay
46.5574.91

Route 56 west (Landis Avenue) to Route 55
Eastern terminus of Route 56
46.9375.53 CR 540 (Park Avenue) – Centerton, Richland
GloucesterFranklin Township52.5284.52

US 40 west (West Boulevard) to Route 55 – Elmer, Delaware Memorial Bridge
South end of US 40 overlap
53.0385.34

US 40 east (Harding Highway) to A.C. Expressway – Atlantic City
North end of US 40 overlap
56.5390.98 CR 538 (Coles Mill Road) – Monroeville, Cecil
Glassboro62.46100.52

US 322 east (CR 536 east / High Street) to A.C. Expressway – Atlantic City
South end of US 322/CR 536 overlap
62.84101.13

US 322 west (CR 536 west / West Avenue) to N.J. Turnpike – Rowan University, Delaware Memorial Bridge
North end of US 322/CR 536 overlap
63.82102.71


Mantua
South end of CR 553 overlap
64.12103.19
CR 553 north (Woodbury Avenue) – Pitman, Woodbury
North end of CR 553 overlap
Deptford Township68.36110.01
Route 41 north (Hurffville Road) – Runnemede
Southern terminus of Route 41
69.36111.62 Route 55 – Glassboro, BellmawrExit 56 (Route 55)
71.90115.71 CR 534 (Cooper Street) – Clementon
Exit 25 (I-295); access to northbound I-295 and access from southbound I-295
74.90120.54
CR 551 south (Broadway)
South end of CR 551 overlap
US 130 / CR 551
north
Traffic circle; northern terminus; north end of CR 551 overlap
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax "Route 47 straight line diagram" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av Google (2009-09-14). "overview of New Jersey Route 47" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  3. ^ "Cape May County Road Map". Cape May County Planning and Engineering Department. 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  4. ^ Signage for CR 618/NJ 147 alternate route to Wildwoods on NJ 47 southbound. Retrieved on 2009-08-13.
  5. ^ "Directions to Bayside State Prison" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Corrections. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-01-15. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  6. ^ Mansnerus, Laura (May 7, 2000). "ROAD AND RAIL; Seeking a Line in the Sand". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
  7. ^ Bricketto, Martin C. (April 21, 2006). "State mapping out fixes to Five Points intersection". Gloucester County Times.
  8. ^ Snyder, John (1969). "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries 1606-1968"
  9. ^ Rand McNally and Co. "Eastern Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, South East Michigan, Southern Ontario, Western New York: District No. 4". Rand McNally Official Auto Trails Map, 3rd ed., 1924, pp. 168-169. David Rumsey Historical Map Collection, David Rumsey (curator), Cartography Associates, Accessed Nov 4, 2019, www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~201570~3000600:Auto-Trails-Map--Pennsylvania,-New-.
  10. ^ 1917 Annual Report (Report). New Jersey Department of Transportation. 1917.
  11. ^ 1923 Annual Report (Report). New Jersey Department of Transportation. 1923.
  12. ^ State of New Jersey, Laws of 1927, Chapter 319.
  13. ^ 1927 New Jersey Road Map (Map). State of New Jersey. Archived from the original on 2016-03-13. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  14. ^ "Little Known Facts". Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Archived from the original on 2010-04-12. Retrieved 2010-05-26.
  15. ^ State of New Jersey, Laws of 1938, Chapter 168.
  16. ^ "1953 renumbering". New Jersey Department of Highways. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved July 31, 2009. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  17. ^ "New Road Signs Ready in New Jersey". The New York Times. December 16, 1952. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
  18. ^ Map of New Jersey (Map). Cartography by General Drafting. Esso. 1970.
  19. ^
    State Farm Insurance
    . 1983.
  20. ^ United States-Canada-Mexico Road Atlas (Map). Rand McNally. 1996.
  21. The Courier-Post
    . Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  22. ^ "Dennis Road Project Finally Done". Cape May County Herald. July 25, 2007. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
  23. ^ Carroll, Lauren (September 20, 2019). "Wildwood to resume construction on Rio Grande Avenue next week". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  24. ^ Rogish, Rachel (March 27, 2019). "Co. Engineer Gives Rio Grande Avenue Update". Cape May County Herald. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  25. ^ Franklin, Chris; Hawk, Tim (July 1, 2020). "Wildwood unveils $13.7M road improvements for 'Beach Ball Boulevard'". NJ.com. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  26. ^ "Wildwood to Keep Rio Grande Avenue". Cape May County Herald. July 10, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2020.

External links

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