NJ 159

Some of the things NJ 59 could have been. Longer. Better signed. And as for this road and NJ 59, the northern terminus of NJ 59 was intended to be at NJ 159. Imagine if that was built. But anyways, NJ 159 is an old alignment of US 46 that was bypassed when US 46 was straightened. NJ 159 is shaped like an arc, while US 46 is straighter. The western part of NJ 159 is the more heavily used portion, as this connects point further west along US 46 to CR 506 and vice versa.. maybe this is why CR 506 doesn't extend into Morris County. In fact, the control cities for NJ 159 EB are the Caldwells and Newark, destinations NJ 159 doesn't even reach! And why isn't Montclair signed as a control city (even if it's on CR 506), even though it's a major destination? The rest is a more local road.

NJ 159 departs from US 46 here. Notice how NJ 159 isn't even signed from US 46 EB, only The Caldwells and Newark are signed, because in reality, CR 506 is the mainline.

Yes and no. NJ 159 ends here, but US 46 WB does not begin here.

This JCT CR 506 sign is in Morris County, but it makes sure to be factually true that CR 506 is in Essex County. Why CR 506 doesn't extend into Morris County along the four-lane stretch of NJ 159 is beyond me, but the mainline transition is more seamless than me writing US 46 - NJ 159 - CR 506.

CR 506 (straight) departs from NJ 159 (left). You can tell that this portion of road was redesigned to funnel traffic onto the effective through route, CR 506. There is original state highway curb here.

Original state highway curb.

CR 614 Spur serves as another connection to CR 506. NJ 159 bends to follow Clinton Road, and that's the "control city" for NJ 159 eastbound.

NJ 159 WB at Essex CR 614. The road makes a curve to change geographic directions at an acute angle. That means on the last stretch of NJ 159, you go physically west when signed east, and vice versa!

NJ 159 ends at US 46, with old and cracked sign labels marking the end of the road.

Past the end of the road in Fairfield. The northernmost / easternmost reference to NJ 159 (other than from US 46 WB approaching NJ 159 from the east) is here on Madison Road, connecting US 46 WB to NJ 159 WB. This sign is old.

Did someone at NJDOT read my page and take down the old sign?

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