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Route 168 (New Jersey)
Encyclopedia
Route 168 is a 10.75 miles (17.3 km) state highway
in the southern part of New Jersey
in the United States
. The route's southern terminus is an interchange with Route 42 and the Atlantic City Expressway
in the Turnersville
section of Washington Township
, Gloucester County
. The northern terminius is an intersection with County Route 603 (Ferry Avenue) on the border of Camden
and Woodlynne
in Camden County
. At this point, the route continues toward downtown Camden as County Route 605. Route 168 follows the Black Horse Pike
for most of its length, running through suburban areas in Gloucester Township
, Runnemede
, Bellmawr
, and Mount Ephraim
. It intersects many major roads, including the Route 42 freeway in Gloucester Township, Route 41 in Runnemede, the New Jersey Turnpike
and Interstate 295
in Bellmawr, Route 76C (an access ramp to Interstate 76
and Interstate 676
) in Haddon Township
, and U.S. Route 130
in Camden.
What is now Route 168 runs along the Black Horse Pike, a turnpike established in 1855 that was to run from Camden to Atlantic City
. In 1927, Route 42 was designated along this portion of road as part of its route between Camden and McKee City
. In the 1940s, a freeway was proposed for Route 42 between Turnersville and the Camden area; construction began on this freeway in the 1950s. After this freeway was entirely completed in 1959, the Route 42 designation was moved to it and the former alignment of Route 42 along the Black Horse Pike north of Turnersville became Route 168.
, which feeds into Route 42 in the Turnersville
section of Washington Township
, Gloucester County
; the North–South Freeway begins at that interchange, carrying Route 42 and through traffic from Atlantic City towards Camden. Meanwhile, Route 168 continues on the old Black Horse Pike
as a four-lane divided
surface road, with the route officially beginning at the intersection with Hurff Lane. Access from Route 168 south to Route 42 is provided via a one-way ramp continuing from the southern terminus of Route 168. However, northbound traffic from Route 42 must take the ramp to the freeway and exit immediately from the collector/distributor road onto northbound County Route 705
to access Route 168.
From here, Route 168 continues north through commercial areas before crossing the Big Timber Creek
into Gloucester Township
, Camden County
, where it becomes a three-lane road with a center left-turn lane and immediately intersects County Route 673, which provides access to Camden County College
. The road passes through predominantly residential neighborhoods with some businesses, coming to a junction with County Route 747. From here, the route heads into commercial parts of the Blackwood
section of Gloucester Township, with some homes near the road. Route 168 intersects County Route 534
in the center of Blackwood. The route leaves the Blackwood area and comes to an intersection with County Route 706. The road passes businesses past this intersection as a three-lane road with two southbound lanes and one northbound lane before coming to an interchange with Route 42. At this interchange, there is full access between northbound Route 42 and Route 168 and between southbound Route 42 and Route 168.
Past the Route 42 interchange, the route intersects County Route 676 and narrows to two lanes as it heads through commercial areas of Hilltop. It gains a center left-turn lane again before it enters woodland as it crosses over County Route 681 and the North Branch of the Big Timber Creek. Route 168 comes to a junction with County Route 683 and enters the Glendora
section of Gloucester Township, where it heads into residential and commercial areas. Here, the route intersects County Route 682. At the intersection with County Route 544
, the road crosses into Runnemede
and becomes a two-lane road that continues past businesses. Route 168 crosses Route 41 and heads through the center of Runnemede, with residential areas nearby. The center-left turn lane along the route returns before it comes to a ram for the New Jersey Turnpike
on the border of Runnemede and Bellmawr
. Past here, Route 168 passes more businesses and crosses County Route 659. A short distance later, the route comes to an interchange with Interstate 295
, where it becomes a four-lane undivided road.
The route forms the border between Mount Ephraim
to the west and Haddon Heights
to the east past this interchange and intersects County Route 654 and County Route 658. At the intersection with the latter, Route 168 entirely enters Mount Ephraim and crosses County Route 551 Spur. Past this intersection, the road enters a mix of residential and commercial areas and comes to a junction with County Route 660. Upon crossing Audubon Lake, Route 168 forms the border between Haddon Township
to the west and Audubon
to the east and becomes a divided highway again with several jughandle
s. It passes more businesses before crossing County Route 635, where the route runs along the border of Haddon Township and Audubon Park
as a six-lane divided highway that passes through suburban areas. An interchange with Route 76C provides access to Interstate 76
, Interstate 676
, and the Walt Whitman Bridge
to and from the southbound direction of Route 168. Immediately past this interchange, Route 168 narrows to four lanes and intersects County Route 650, crossing the Newton Creek, where it forms the border between Camden
to the west and Haddon Township to the east. Here, the route crosses U.S. Route 130
at a channelized intersection. After crossing over U.S. Route 130, Route 168 drops the Black Horse Pike designation and becomes Mount Ephraim Avenue as is runs between the Fairview section of Camden and the West Collingswood Extension section of Haddon Township. Here, the route narrows to a two-lane undivided road and passes more urban residences and businesses. It crosses over County Route 630 before it becomes a three-lane road with a center left-turn lane and entirely enters Camden. The road passes through commercial areas before crossing the North Branch of the Newton Creek, where it forms the border between Camden to the west and Woodlynne
to the east. It becomes a four-lane undivided road that passes through industrial sectors before crossing a Conrail Shared Assets Operations
railroad line and heading into urban developments. Route 168 ends at the intersection with County Route 603, where Mount Ephraim Avenue continues north as County Route 605 to downtown Camden, ending at an intersection with County Route 561
.
south to Blackwoodtown
and eventually to Atlantic City
; this road became the Black Horse Pike. The creation of the Black Horse Pike led to the development of several towns along the route. The Black Horse Pike was transferred from the turnpike company to the county in 1903, at a time where many private turnpikes would become public roads. In the 1927 New Jersey state highway renumbering
, this portion of the Black Horse Pike was designated as part of a new route, Route 42, that was to run from Ferry Avenue in Camden south to Route 48 (now U.S. Route 40
) in McKee City
. This portion of road retained the Route 42 designation in the 1953 New Jersey state highway renumbering
. In the late 1940s, a freeway was planned to bypass this portion of Route 42, with right-of-way acquisition and construction starting in the 1950s. This new freeway, called the North–South Freeway, opened between Bellmawr and the Black Horse Pike in Blackwood in 1958 and from Blackwood to Turnersville in 1959. With the opening of the freeway, the Route 42 designation was moved to the North–South Freeway and the Black Horse Pike between Turnersville and Camden became Route 168.
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 the southern part 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...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The route's southern terminus is an interchange with Route 42 and the Atlantic City Expressway
Atlantic City Expressway
The Atlantic City Expressway is a , controlled-access toll road in New Jersey, managed and operated by the South Jersey Transportation Authority...
in the Turnersville
Turnersville, New Jersey
Turnersville is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Washington Township, in Gloucester County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 3,867. It is named after the Turner family, one of the original families of Washington Township...
section of Washington Township
Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey
Washington Township is a township in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. In the 2010 United States Census, Washington Township's population was 48,559, having grown from 47,114 in the 2000 Census....
, Gloucester County
Gloucester County, New Jersey
Gloucester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 288,288. Its county seat is Woodbury....
. The northern terminius is an intersection with County Route 603 (Ferry Avenue) on the border of Camden
Camden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
and Woodlynne
Woodlynne, New Jersey
Woodlynne is a borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 2,796.Woodlynne was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 19, 1901, from portions of Haddon Township...
in Camden County
Camden County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the 2010 Census the population of Camden County was 60.28% Non-Hispanic white, 18.45% Non-Hispanic black, 1.12% Hispanic blacks, 0.17% Non-Hispanic Native American, 0.15% Hispanic Native Americans, 5.07% Non-Hispanic Asian, and 0.14% non-Hispanics reporting some other race...
. At this point, the route continues toward downtown Camden as County Route 605. Route 168 follows the Black Horse Pike
Black Horse Pike
The Black Horse Pike is a designation used for a number of different roadways that had been part of a historic route connecting the Camden area to the area of Atlantic City, New Jersey. Roadways now bearing the Black Horse Pike designation include portions of New Jersey Route 168, New Jersey Route...
for most of its length, running through suburban areas in Gloucester Township
Gloucester Township, New Jersey
Gloucester Township is a Township in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township had a total population of 64,634...
, Runnemede
Runnemede, New Jersey
Runnemede is a borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population is 8,533.Runnemede was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 23, 1926, from portions of the now-defunct Centre Township, based on the...
, Bellmawr
Bellmawr, New Jersey
-Local government:Bellmawr is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a mayor and a borough council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office...
, and Mount Ephraim
Mount Ephraim, New Jersey
-Local government:Mount Ephraim Borough has been governed under the Walsh Act by a three member commission, since 1935. Current commissioners as of 2010 are:* Mayor - Commissioner of Revenue and Finance...
. It intersects many major roads, including the Route 42 freeway in Gloucester Township, Route 41 in Runnemede, 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...
and 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...
in Bellmawr, Route 76C (an access ramp to Interstate 76
Interstate 76 (east)
Interstate 76 is an Interstate Highway in the United States, running 435 miles from an interchange with Interstate 71 west of Akron, Ohio, east to Interstate 295 near Camden, New Jersey....
and Interstate 676
Interstate 676
Interstate 676 is an Interstate Highway that serves as a major thoroughfare through Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where it is known as the Vine Street Expressway, and Camden, New Jersey, where it is known as the northern segment of the North–South Freeway, as well as the Martin Luther King Jr....
) in Haddon Township
Haddon Township, New Jersey
Haddon Township is a Township in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 14,707....
, and 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...
in Camden.
What is now Route 168 runs along the Black Horse Pike, a turnpike established in 1855 that was to run from Camden 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 1927, Route 42 was designated along this portion of road as part of its route between Camden and McKee City
McKee City, New Jersey
McKee City is an unincorporated community within the Mays Landing section of Hamilton Township, Atlantic County, New Jersey. The community was named after Colonel John McKee , a Civil War veteran...
. In the 1940s, a freeway was proposed for Route 42 between Turnersville and the Camden area; construction began on this freeway in the 1950s. After this freeway was entirely completed in 1959, the Route 42 designation was moved to it and the former alignment of Route 42 along the Black Horse Pike north of Turnersville became Route 168.
Route description
Route 168 begins at the an interchange with west end of the Atlantic City ExpresswayAtlantic City Expressway
The Atlantic City Expressway is a , controlled-access toll road in New Jersey, managed and operated by the South Jersey Transportation Authority...
, which feeds into Route 42 in the Turnersville
Turnersville, New Jersey
Turnersville is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Washington Township, in Gloucester County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 3,867. It is named after the Turner family, one of the original families of Washington Township...
section of Washington Township
Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey
Washington Township is a township in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. In the 2010 United States Census, Washington Township's population was 48,559, having grown from 47,114 in the 2000 Census....
, Gloucester County
Gloucester County, New Jersey
Gloucester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 288,288. Its county seat is Woodbury....
; the North–South Freeway begins at that interchange, carrying Route 42 and through traffic from Atlantic City towards Camden. Meanwhile, Route 168 continues on the old Black Horse Pike
Black Horse Pike
The Black Horse Pike is a designation used for a number of different roadways that had been part of a historic route connecting the Camden area to the area of Atlantic City, New Jersey. Roadways now bearing the Black Horse Pike designation include portions of New Jersey Route 168, New Jersey Route...
as a four-lane divided
Divided Highway
Divided Highway is a compilation album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released in 2003. . All tracks are taken from the albums Cycles and Brotherhood .-Track listing:...
surface road, with the route officially beginning at the intersection with Hurff Lane. Access from Route 168 south to Route 42 is provided via a one-way ramp continuing from the southern terminus of Route 168. However, northbound traffic from Route 42 must take the ramp to the freeway and exit immediately from the collector/distributor road onto northbound County Route 705
County Route 705 (Camden County, New Jersey)
County Route 705, abbreviated CR 705, is a county highway in Camden County, New Jersey, known as Sicklerville Road. It runs for 7.67 miles in the townships of Winslow and Gloucester. There are major intersections with Camden CR 704 and Camden CR 689...
to access Route 168.
From here, Route 168 continues north through commercial areas before crossing the Big Timber Creek
Big Timber Creek
Big Timber Creek is a stream in southwestern New Jersey, United States, and is also known by the name 'Tetamekanchz Kyl' by the Lenape tribes. It drains a watershed of . A tributary of the Delaware River, it enters the Delaware between the boroughs of Brooklawn and Westville, just south Gloucester...
into Gloucester Township
Gloucester Township, New Jersey
Gloucester Township is a Township in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township had a total population of 64,634...
, Camden County
Camden County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the 2010 Census the population of Camden County was 60.28% Non-Hispanic white, 18.45% Non-Hispanic black, 1.12% Hispanic blacks, 0.17% Non-Hispanic Native American, 0.15% Hispanic Native Americans, 5.07% Non-Hispanic Asian, and 0.14% non-Hispanics reporting some other race...
, where it becomes a three-lane road with a center left-turn lane and immediately intersects County Route 673, which provides access to Camden County College
Camden County College
Camden County College is an accredited, co-educational, two-year, public, community college located in Camden County, New Jersey. Camden County College has three distinct campuses located in Blackwood, Camden and Cherry Hill...
. The road passes through predominantly residential neighborhoods with some businesses, coming to a junction with County Route 747. From here, the route heads into commercial parts of the Blackwood
Blackwood, New Jersey
Blackwood is a census-designated place located within Gloucester Township, in Camden County, New Jersey. As of the 2000 United States Census, the section population was 4,692...
section of Gloucester Township, with some homes near the road. Route 168 intersects County Route 534
County Route 534 (New Jersey)
County Route 534, abbreviated CR 534, is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Route 47 in Deptford Township to Medford-Indian Mills Road in Shamong Township.-Gloucester County:...
in the center of Blackwood. The route leaves the Blackwood area and comes to an intersection with County Route 706. The road passes businesses past this intersection as a three-lane road with two southbound lanes and one northbound lane before coming to an interchange with Route 42. At this interchange, there is full access between northbound Route 42 and Route 168 and between southbound Route 42 and Route 168.
Past the Route 42 interchange, the route intersects County Route 676 and narrows to two lanes as it heads through commercial areas of Hilltop. It gains a center left-turn lane again before it enters woodland as it crosses over County Route 681 and the North Branch of the Big Timber Creek. Route 168 comes to a junction with County Route 683 and enters the Glendora
Glendora, New Jersey
Glendora is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Gloucester Township, in Camden County, New Jersey. As of the 2000 United States Census, the CDP population was 4,907.-Geography:Glendora is located at ....
section of Gloucester Township, where it heads into residential and commercial areas. Here, the route intersects County Route 682. At the intersection with County Route 544
County Route 544 (New Jersey)
County Route 544, abbreviated CR 544, is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Cooper Street in Deptford Township to Taunton Boulevard in Medford Township.-Gloucester County:...
, the road crosses into Runnemede
Runnemede, New Jersey
Runnemede is a borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population is 8,533.Runnemede was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 23, 1926, from portions of the now-defunct Centre Township, based on the...
and becomes a two-lane road that continues past businesses. Route 168 crosses Route 41 and heads through the center of Runnemede, with residential areas nearby. The center-left turn lane along the route returns before it comes to a ram for 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...
on the border of Runnemede and Bellmawr
Bellmawr, New Jersey
-Local government:Bellmawr is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a mayor and a borough council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office...
. Past here, Route 168 passes more businesses and crosses County Route 659. A short distance later, the route 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...
, where it becomes a four-lane undivided road.
The route forms the border between Mount Ephraim
Mount Ephraim, New Jersey
-Local government:Mount Ephraim Borough has been governed under the Walsh Act by a three member commission, since 1935. Current commissioners as of 2010 are:* Mayor - Commissioner of Revenue and Finance...
to the west and Haddon Heights
Haddon Heights, New Jersey
Haddon Heights is a borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population is 7,473....
to the east past this interchange and intersects County Route 654 and County Route 658. At the intersection with the latter, Route 168 entirely enters Mount Ephraim and crosses County Route 551 Spur. Past this intersection, the road enters a mix of residential and commercial areas and comes to a junction with County Route 660. Upon crossing Audubon Lake, Route 168 forms the border between Haddon Township
Haddon Township, New Jersey
Haddon Township is a Township in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 14,707....
to the west and Audubon
Audubon, New Jersey
Audubon is a Borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,819.On March 13, 1905, through an act of the New Jersey Legislature, Audubon was created a borough from portions of Haddon Township. It was named after John James...
to the east and becomes a divided highway again with several jughandle
Jughandle
A jughandle is a type of ramp or slip road that changes the way traffic turns left at at-grade intersections. Instead of a standard left turn being made from the left lane, left-turning traffic uses a ramp on the right side of the road...
s. It passes more businesses before crossing County Route 635, where the route runs along the border of Haddon Township and Audubon Park
Audubon Park, New Jersey
Audubon Park is a Borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 1,023.Audubon Park was incorporated as a borough on July 3, 1947, from portions of Audubon Borough, based on the results of a referendum held on October 28, 1947,...
as a six-lane divided highway that passes through suburban areas. An interchange with Route 76C provides access to Interstate 76
Interstate 76 (east)
Interstate 76 is an Interstate Highway in the United States, running 435 miles from an interchange with Interstate 71 west of Akron, Ohio, east to Interstate 295 near Camden, New Jersey....
, Interstate 676
Interstate 676
Interstate 676 is an Interstate Highway that serves as a major thoroughfare through Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where it is known as the Vine Street Expressway, and Camden, New Jersey, where it is known as the northern segment of the North–South Freeway, as well as the Martin Luther King Jr....
, and the Walt Whitman Bridge
Walt Whitman Bridge
The Walt Whitman Bridge is a green-colored single-level suspension bridge spanning the Delaware River from Philadelphia to Gloucester City, New Jersey. Named after the poet Walt Whitman, who resided in nearby Camden toward the end of his life, the Walt Whitman Bridge is one of the larger bridges...
to and from the southbound direction of Route 168. Immediately past this interchange, Route 168 narrows to four lanes and intersects County Route 650, crossing the Newton Creek, where it forms the border between Camden
Camden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
to the west and Haddon Township to the east. Here, the route crosses 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...
at a channelized intersection. After crossing over U.S. Route 130, Route 168 drops the Black Horse Pike designation and becomes Mount Ephraim Avenue as is runs between the Fairview section of Camden and the West Collingswood Extension section of Haddon Township. Here, the route narrows to a two-lane undivided road and passes more urban residences and businesses. It crosses over County Route 630 before it becomes a three-lane road with a center left-turn lane and entirely enters Camden. The road passes through commercial areas before crossing the North Branch of the Newton Creek, where it forms the border between Camden to the west and Woodlynne
Woodlynne, New Jersey
Woodlynne is a borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 2,796.Woodlynne was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 19, 1901, from portions of Haddon Township...
to the east. It becomes a four-lane undivided road that passes through industrial sectors before crossing a Conrail Shared Assets Operations
Conrail Shared Assets Operations
Conrail Shared Assets Operations is an American railroad company. It operates three networks—the North Jersey, South Jersey/Philadelphia, and Detroit Shared Assets Areas, where it serves as a local carrier and switching company for CSX Transportation and the Norfolk Southern Railway...
railroad line and heading into urban developments. Route 168 ends at the intersection with County Route 603, where Mount Ephraim Avenue continues north as County Route 605 to downtown Camden, ending at an intersection with County Route 561
County Route 561 (New Jersey)
County Route 561, abbreviated CR 561, is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from New York Road in Galloway Township to Federal Street , Camden.-Atlantic County:...
.
History
The predecessor to today's Route 168 was a set of Lenni Lenape trails that followed the Timber Creek. In 1855, the Camden and Blackwoodstown Turnpike Company was established by entrepreneurs who had helped create the White Horse Pike to build a gravel road that would run from CamdenCamden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
south to Blackwoodtown
Blackwood, New Jersey
Blackwood is a census-designated place located within Gloucester Township, in Camden County, New Jersey. As of the 2000 United States Census, the section population was 4,692...
and eventually 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...
; this road became the Black Horse Pike. The creation of the Black Horse Pike led to the development of several towns along the route. The Black Horse Pike was transferred from the turnpike company to the county in 1903, at a time where many private turnpikes would become public roads. In the 1927 New Jersey state highway renumbering
1927 New Jersey state highway renumbering
In 1927, New Jersey's state highways were renumbered. The old system, which had been defined in sequence by the legislature, was growing badly, as several routes shared the same number, and many unnumbered state highways had been defined...
, this portion of the Black Horse Pike was designated as part of a new route, Route 42, that was to run from Ferry Avenue in Camden south to Route 48 (now 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...
) in McKee City
McKee City, New Jersey
McKee City is an unincorporated community within the Mays Landing section of Hamilton Township, Atlantic County, New Jersey. The community was named after Colonel John McKee , a Civil War veteran...
. This portion of road retained the Route 42 designation in the 1953 New Jersey state highway renumbering
1953 New Jersey state highway renumbering
On January 1, 1953, the New Jersey Department of Transportation renumbered many of the State Routes. A few rules were followed in deciding what to renumber:...
. In the late 1940s, a freeway was planned to bypass this portion of Route 42, with right-of-way acquisition and construction starting in the 1950s. This new freeway, called the North–South Freeway, opened between Bellmawr and the Black Horse Pike in Blackwood in 1958 and from Blackwood to Turnersville in 1959. With the opening of the freeway, the Route 42 designation was moved to the North–South Freeway and the Black Horse Pike between Turnersville and Camden became Route 168.