New Jersey Route 27

New Jersey Route 27 is a state highway stretching approximately 40 miles through the central part of New Jersey, connecting the urbanized areas of the Raritan Valley with the New York metropolitan area. It serves as a primary arterial road through numerous municipalities in Middlesex County and Somerset County, functioning as a main street for many communities. The route provides a vital commercial and commuter corridor, intersecting with several major highways including the New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate 287.

Route description

Beginning at a complex interchange with U.S. Route 1 and U.S. Route 9 in Edison, the highway heads north through the commercial heart of Metuchen, where it is known as Main Street. It continues through Highland Park and into the city of New Brunswick, where it follows George Street past Rutgers University and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. North of the Raritan River, the route traverses Franklin Township and Somerset, passing near the Colonial Park arboretum. Its final segment runs through the historic downtowns of Bound Brook and Manville before terminating at U.S. Route 206 in Franklin Township.

History

The alignment follows several historic turnpikes and colonial roads, including portions of the Lincoln Highway and the King's Highway. Much of its current path was designated as part of pre-1927 Route 25 before the 1927 renumbering established the modern Route 27. Significant realignments occurred in the mid-20th century, particularly in New Brunswick during urban renewal projects and around the construction of Interstate 287. The route has been the site of notable events, including visits by George Washington during the Revolutionary War and the devastating floods in Bound Brook.

Major intersections

From south to north, Route 27 intersects numerous key roadways, beginning with its southern terminus at U.S. Route 1/9 in Edison. It meets County Route 529 in Metuchen and has an interchange with the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) in Edison. In New Brunswick, it crosses Route 18 and has a junction with U.S. Route 130 near the Albany Street Bridge. Further north, it interchanges with Interstate 287 in Franklin Township. The route also intersects County Route 514 in Bound Brook and County Route 533 in Manville before ending at U.S. Route 206 in Franklin Township. Category:New Jersey state highways