NJ 57

 

NJ 57 connects Phillipsburg to Hackettstown. This route runs from US 22 to NJ 182, and ultimately US 46*. The reason for the asterisk is this: NJ 57 ends at NJ 182 and CR 517, and NJ 182 connects NJ 57 to downtown Hackettstown and US 46. Why doesn't NJ 57 reach US 46? This is because NJ 57 was supposed to extend further east from NJ 182 to connect straight to US 46 and bypass the core of Hackettstown. But that bypass was never built, so we have a strange eastern terminus. Other than that, a scenic ride.

The start of NJ 57 (left) at US 22 (right). Same-directional movements only, meaning you can only go from US 22 EB to NJ 57 EB, and only access US 22 WB from NJ 57 WB.

What is now NJ 57 was the first concrete highway to ever be paved in New Jersey, and a specific mile of NJ 57 is the first mile of concrete pavement to be laid in the state.

I have no doubt that some of this concrete might be original pavement.

The shoulders look to be concrete and might also be original pavement.

As NJ 57 enters Washington Borough, the concrete shoulders disappear.

NJ 57 in Washington Borough. Here, NJ 57 intersects NJ 31.

NJ 57 passes under this arch that carries a now-abandoned railroad.

NJ 57 in Anderson.

The eastern terminus of NJ 57, as seen from NJ 182. What NJDOT should do if they can't build the Hackettstown bypass is this: delete NJ 182 and turn it into NJ 57. Easy.

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