U.S. Route 46 in New Jersey

U.S. Route 46 in New Jersey is a major east–west highway spanning approximately 75 miles across the northern part of the state. It connects the Delaware Water Gap on the Pennsylvania border to the George Washington Bridge leading into New York City. The route serves as a vital commercial and commuter corridor, passing through diverse landscapes from the Kittatinny Mountains to the densely populated New York metropolitan area.

Route description

Beginning at the western terminus with Interstate 80 at the Delaware Water Gap, U.S. Route 46 heads east through Warren County, traversing the rural Kittatinny Valley. It passes near Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and serves communities like Columbia and Hackettstown. The highway continues into Morris County, intersecting key roads such as U.S. Route 206 near Netcong and Route 10 in Dover. Entering Passaic County, the route becomes a heavily commercialized arterial through Little Falls, Totowa, and Paterson, where it crosses the Passaic River and meets Interstate 80 again. In Bergen County, it passes through Elmwood Park and Ridgefield Park before terminating at a complex interchange with Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1, and U.S. Route 9 in Fort Lee, adjacent to the George Washington Bridge.

History

U.S. Route 46 was established in 1935 as part of the United States Numbered Highway System, replacing several pre-existing state highways, including parts of Route 6 and Route S6. Its original western terminus was at the Pennsylvania state line at the Delaware Water Gap, connecting to PA Route 46. Significant realignments occurred in the mid-20th century, particularly in Paterson and Bergen County, to accommodate increasing traffic and the construction of the Interstate Highway System. The route's interchange with the New Jersey Turnpike and approaches to the George Washington Bridge were extensively modified during the 1950s and 1960s. Historically, it served as a primary trucking route before the completion of Interstate 80, and remnants of its older alignments can be seen in various business loops and former segments in towns like Totowa.

Major intersections

Major junctions from west to east include the western terminus at I-80/US 46 in the Delaware Water Gap. In Hackettstown, it intersects Route 182. Near Netcong, it meets US 206. In Dover, it crosses Route 10 and Route 15. A significant junction occurs in Parsippany-Troy Hills with I-287 and US 202. In Totowa, it intersects Route 23. In Paterson, it meets I-80 and US 202 again, and crosses the Passaic River. In Elmwood Park, it has an interchange with the Garden State Parkway. The eastern terminus is a major confluence with I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike), US 1, and US 9 in Fort Lee.

Auxiliary routes

Several business routes and special routes have been designated along U.S. 46. U.S. Route 46 Business serves Columbia along a former alignment. In Hackettstown, a business loop follows Main Street. U.S. Route 46 Truck routes exist to bypass weight-restricted bridges in Warren and Morris counties. Historically, there was a U.S. Route 46 Alternate in the Paterson area. These auxiliary routes are maintained by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

In popular culture

U.S. Route 46 has been referenced in various cultural works, often symbolizing travel to and from New York City. It is mentioned in the Bruce Springsteen song "State Trooper" from the album Nebraska. The highway features in episodes of the HBO series The Sopranos, which is set in North Jersey, and in the film Cop Land. Its eastern terminus near the George Washington Bridge has appeared in numerous films and television shows depicting entry into Manhattan, such as in the opening credits of the CBS series Hack. The route's iconic signage and heavy traffic have made it a recognizable landmark in New Jersey popular culture.

Category:U.S. Route 46