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Route 82 (New Jersey)
Encyclopedia
Route 82 is a short, state highway
in Union County
of the U.S. state
of New Jersey
. It runs southeast from an intersection with Route 124 in Springfield Township
along Morris Avenue to Route 439 in the Elizabeth
general area. Along the 4.92 miles (7.9 km) route, it serves local businesses and the main arterial of Union Township
. Near its eastern terminus at Route 439, Route 82 passes through Kean University
, a state college in New Jersey. Route 82 originates as of one two Route S24 alignments designated in the 1927 state highway renumbering. A spur of Route 24, it lasted for 26 years untouched until the 1953 state highway renumbering, when Union County's Route S-24 was designated as Route 82 and a portion of Route 439. The route's alignment has changed little since the 1953 renumbering.
eastbound in the community of Springfield, New Jersey
. The highway progresses southward along Morris Avenue through a large business district. A short distance after, Route 82 intersects with Maple Street, which serves Route 124 westbound and the community of Maplewood
. The route continues southward along Morris, heading through the business district of Springfield. Residential homes begin to pop around the southbound direction before the highway crosses over the Rahway River
. From there, Route 82 enters Union
, where it enters a large commercial district once again. During the highway's progression southward, Route 82 enters more residential regions, intersecting with Liberty Road in the northern end of the community. Liberty Road connects Route 82 with U.S. Route 22
in Hillside
. The highway continues southward along Morris Avenue, entering further into Union, where it serves as the main road to the community. At a fork with Elmwood Avenue, Route 82 diverts to the east along Morris, leaving the northern portion of Union.
Route 82 continues eastward as the main arterial, passing between many residential homes in both directions. The highway then enters the center of Union Township, where it intersects with Union County Route 619 (Stuyvesant Avenue) and to the north of Friberger Park. Morris Avenue continues through a largely residential and commercial district in Union before crossing under the westbound lanes of U.S. Route 22 and the eight lanes of the Garden State Parkway
and Exits 139B (northbound only), 140 (both directions) and 140A (southbound only). Route 82 then passes under the eastbound lanes of U.S. Route 22 before continuing along Morris into Union Township. A short distance later, the route approaches an at-grade cloverleaf interchange with a shopping mall access road before passing to the north of the local golf club, Suburban Golf. Route 82 and Morris Avenue continue southward, passing through the middle of residential homes as a four-lane boulevard. A short distance after the golf club, the highway intersects with County Route 509
(Salem Avenue). From there, Route 82 becomes a divided arterial, passing to the south of Elizabeth River Park and crossing under the Raritan Valley Line
maintained by New Jersey Transit
. The nearby intersection for Green Lane serves the nearby Union Station
along the rail line. After the intersection with Green Lane, Route 82 enters the area of Kean University
, which surrounds the highway in both directions. After intersecting with the university's access roads, Route 82 crosses through small patches of trees before terminating at an intersection with New Jersey Route 439 (North Avenue). Morris Avenue continues eastward as Union County Route 629.
. Route S-24 in Union County was designated to run from Route 24 in Springfield (now Route 124) along Morris Avenue to an intersection with Route 25 in Elizabeth. (The alignment of Route 25 is now U.S. Routes 1 and 9.) At the intersection with current-day Route 439, Route S-24 turned off of current-day Route 82 and onto Route 439 southbound towards the Goethals Bridge
across the Arthur Kill
. Although the route remained intact for twenty-six years, the 1953 state highway renumbering occurred on January 1, and Route S-24 was re-designated as Route 82 and Route 439, while Route 24 through Springifeld remained the same. The route's general alignment has remained virtually unchanged since the 1953 renumbering, with the highway remaining on Morris Avenue. In 2005, the New Jersey Department of Transportation
was given $800,000 USD in an earmark to give Route 82 roadway and intersection improvements.
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 Union County
Union County, New Jersey
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 536,499. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Elizabeth. Union County ranks 93rd among the highest-income counties in the United States. It also ranks 74th in...
of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
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...
. It runs southeast from an intersection with Route 124 in Springfield Township
Springfield Township, Union County, New Jersey
Township of Springfield is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population increased to a record high of 15,817....
along Morris Avenue to Route 439 in the Elizabeth
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
general area. Along the 4.92 miles (7.9 km) route, it serves local businesses and the main arterial of Union Township
Union Township, Union County, New Jersey
Union is a Township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. In the 18th century, the area that is now Union was then called Connecticut Farms...
. Near its eastern terminus at Route 439, Route 82 passes through Kean University
Kean University
Kean University is a coeducational, public research university located in Union and Hillside, New Jersey, United States. Kean University serves its students in the liberal arts, the sciences, and the professions with a dedication to intellectual and cultural growth and is best known for its...
, a state college in New Jersey. Route 82 originates as of one two Route S24 alignments designated in the 1927 state highway renumbering. A spur of Route 24, it lasted for 26 years untouched until the 1953 state highway renumbering, when Union County's Route S-24 was designated as Route 82 and a portion of Route 439. The route's alignment has changed little since the 1953 renumbering.
Route description
Route 82 begins at a traffic light complex with New Jersey Route 124 eastbound and County Route 577County Route 577 (New Jersey)
County Route 577, abbreviated CR 577, is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Springfield Avenue in Springfield Township to Bloomfield Avenue in Verona.-Route description:...
eastbound in the community of Springfield, New Jersey
Springfield Township, Union County, New Jersey
Township of Springfield is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population increased to a record high of 15,817....
. The highway progresses southward along Morris Avenue through a large business district. A short distance after, Route 82 intersects with Maple Street, which serves Route 124 westbound and the community of Maplewood
Maplewood, New Jersey
Maplewood is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 23,867.-History:...
. The route continues southward along Morris, heading through the business district of Springfield. Residential homes begin to pop around the southbound direction before the highway crosses over the Rahway River
Rahway River
The Rahway River is a river, approximately 24 mi long, in northeastern New Jersey in the United States. The river drains part of the suburban and urbanized area of New Jersey west of New York City. Part of the extended area of New York Harbor, the river empties into the Arthur Kill. In its...
. From there, Route 82 enters Union
Union Township, Union County, New Jersey
Union is a Township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. In the 18th century, the area that is now Union was then called Connecticut Farms...
, where it enters a large commercial district once again. During the highway's progression southward, Route 82 enters more residential regions, intersecting with Liberty Road in the northern end of the community. Liberty Road connects Route 82 with U.S. Route 22
U.S. Route 22 in New Jersey
U.S. Route 22 is a U.S. highway stretching from Cincinnati, Ohio in the west to Newark, New Jersey in the east. In New Jersey, the route runs for from the Easton-Phillipsburg Toll Bridge over the Delaware River in Phillipsburg, Warren County to Interstate 78 , US 1/9, and Route 21 at the Newark...
in Hillside
Hillside, New Jersey
Hillside is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 21,404.Hillside was incorporated as a township on April 3, 1913, from portions of Union Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 29, 1913.The town...
. The highway continues southward along Morris Avenue, entering further into Union, where it serves as the main road to the community. At a fork with Elmwood Avenue, Route 82 diverts to the east along Morris, leaving the northern portion of Union.
Route 82 continues eastward as the main arterial, passing between many residential homes in both directions. The highway then enters the center of Union Township, where it intersects with Union County Route 619 (Stuyvesant Avenue) and to the north of Friberger Park. Morris Avenue continues through a largely residential and commercial district in Union before crossing under the westbound lanes of U.S. Route 22 and the eight lanes of the Garden State Parkway
Garden State Parkway
The Garden State Parkway is a 172.4-mile limited-access toll parkway that stretches the length of New Jersey from the New York line at Montvale, New Jersey, to Cape May at New Jersey's southernmost tip. Its name refers to New Jersey's nickname, the "Garden State." Most New Jersey residents refer...
and Exits 139B (northbound only), 140 (both directions) and 140A (southbound only). Route 82 then passes under the eastbound lanes of U.S. Route 22 before continuing along Morris into Union Township. A short distance later, the route approaches an at-grade cloverleaf interchange with a shopping mall access road before passing to the north of the local golf club, Suburban Golf. Route 82 and Morris Avenue continue southward, passing through the middle of residential homes as a four-lane boulevard. A short distance after the golf club, the highway intersects with County Route 509
County Route 509 (New Jersey)
County Route 509 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends 25.78 miles from North Avenue in Westfield to Straight Street in Paterson....
(Salem Avenue). From there, Route 82 becomes a divided arterial, passing to the south of Elizabeth River Park and crossing under the Raritan Valley Line
Raritan Valley Line
The Raritan Valley Line is a diesel-engine-powered commuter rail service operated by New Jersey Transit , originating out of Pennsylvania Station, located in Newark, New Jersey, with most trains terminating at the Raritan station, located in Raritan, New Jersey.Some weekday trains continue further...
maintained by New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
. The nearby intersection for Green Lane serves the nearby Union Station
Union (NJT station)
Union Station is a New Jersey Transit railroad station on the Raritan Valley Line, in Union Township, Union County, New Jersey. Completed in 2003 at a cost of $24.8 million, it is Union's first passenger train station since the 1920s on the Rahway Valley Railroad short line. It filled the eight...
along the rail line. After the intersection with Green Lane, Route 82 enters the area of Kean University
Kean University
Kean University is a coeducational, public research university located in Union and Hillside, New Jersey, United States. Kean University serves its students in the liberal arts, the sciences, and the professions with a dedication to intellectual and cultural growth and is best known for its...
, which surrounds the highway in both directions. After intersecting with the university's access roads, Route 82 crosses through small patches of trees before terminating at an intersection with New Jersey Route 439 (North Avenue). Morris Avenue continues eastward as Union County Route 629.
History
The alignment along Morris Avenue through Union and Springfield was originally the alignment of State Highway Route S-24, a prefixed spur of State Highway Route 24. This was one of two State Highway Route S-24s designated in the 1927 state highway renumbering, with the other out in Warren CountyWarren County, New Jersey
Warren County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 108,692. Its county seat is Belvidere...
. Route S-24 in Union County was designated to run from Route 24 in Springfield (now Route 124) along Morris Avenue to an intersection with Route 25 in Elizabeth. (The alignment of Route 25 is now U.S. Routes 1 and 9.) At the intersection with current-day Route 439, Route S-24 turned off of current-day Route 82 and onto Route 439 southbound towards the Goethals Bridge
Goethals Bridge
The Goethals Bridge connects Elizabeth, New Jersey to Staten Island , near the Howland Hook Marine Terminal, Staten Island, New York over the Arthur Kill. Operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the span was one of the first structures built by the authority...
across the Arthur Kill
Arthur Kill
The Arthur Kill is a tidal strait separating Staten Island, New York from mainland New Jersey, USA, and a major navigational channel of the Port of New York and New Jersey. Kill is from the Middle Dutch word kille, meaning "riverbed" or "water channel"...
. Although the route remained intact for twenty-six years, the 1953 state highway renumbering occurred on January 1, and Route S-24 was re-designated as Route 82 and Route 439, while Route 24 through Springifeld remained the same. The route's general alignment has remained virtually unchanged since the 1953 renumbering, with the highway remaining on Morris Avenue. In 2005, the New Jersey Department of Transportation
New Jersey Department of Transportation
The New Jersey Department of Transportation is the agency responsible for transportation issues and policy in New Jersey. It is headed by the Commissioner of Transportation...
was given $800,000 USD in an earmark to give Route 82 roadway and intersection improvements.