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County Route 537 (New Jersey)

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County Route 537 marker
County Route 537
Map
CR 537 highlighted in red, spurs in blue, still signed former CR 537 segment in Monmouth County in grey
Route information
Length66.2 mi[1][2] (106.5 km)
Major junctions
West end CR 737 in Camden
Major intersections
East end CR 11 in Oceanport
Location
CountryUnited States
StateNew Jersey
CountiesCamden, Burlington, Ocean, Monmouth
Highway system
← CR 536→ CR 538

County Route 537 (CR 537) is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends 66.2 miles (106.5 km) from Delaware Avenue (CR 737) in Camden to Oceanport Avenue (CR 11) in Oceanport. It is the state's fourth longest 500 series county route.

Route description

Camden and Burlington counties

CR 537 eastbound past I-676 in Camden

CR 537 begins at an intersection of Delaware Avenue (CR 737) in the downtown area of Camden in Camden County, heading east on four-lane undivided Federal Street. West of this intersection, Federal Street continues to the Camden Waterfront on the Delaware River. The road runs east passing a few parking lots, turning into a one-way eastbound street at the intersection of 3rd Street. Market Street (CR 537 Spur) to the north is one-way westbound, serving as the westbound direction of CR 537 through Downtown Camden. From here, Federal Street passes downtown businesses as it alternates between two and four lanes, crossing NJ Transit's River Line at the intersection of 5th Street. The route intersects with Broadway (CR 551) and Haddon Avenue (CR 561) before coming to an interchange with I-676. After this, CR 537 Spur merges onto CR 537 and the road becomes two-way and two lanes wide as it passes under a railroad line that carries Conrail Shared Assets Operations' Vineland Secondary and the River Line. The route interchanges with US 30 and crosses the Cooper River and intersects with River Road (CR 543). The road passes through urban areas of businesses and industry, crossing CR 601 and becoming lined with businesses. CR 537 comes to the intersections of Westfield Avenue (CR 610) and South 27th Street (CR 609) as it heads into more residential areas, intersecting with 36th Street (CR 611). At this point, the road becomes the border between Pennsauken to the north and Camden to the south, meeting the intersection of Terrace Avenue (CR 663). The route fully enters Pennsauken and turns north and east as a four-lane divided highway, interchanging with US 130 in commercial areas. CR 537 becomes two lanes and undivided again as it heads into Merchantville as Maple Avenue, passing through wooded areas of homes. The road intersects with Browning Road (CR 612) and Lexington Avenue (CR 613) prior to passing a few businesses as it reaches the intersections of Chapel Avenue (CR 626), Park Avenue (CR 621), and Centre Street (CR 622). The route passes more homes, crossing the intersection of Cove Road/Church Road (CR 616) and then passing over NJ Transit's Atlantic City Line on a bridge. CR 537 passes businesses as it intersects with Union Avenue (CR 615). At a point shortly before the intersection of Haddonfield Road (CR 644), CR 537 becomes the border between Pennsauken to the north and Cherry Hill to the south. Shortly after this crossing, the road heads through more residential surroundings.[1][3]

View westbound along CR 537 from I-295 in Mount Laurel

Upon crossing the Pennsauken Creek, CR 537 enters Maple Shade in Burlington County and becomes West Main Street, passing a mix of homes and businesses before heading into the commercial downtown area of Maple Shade. The name of the route changes to East Main Street after crossing the intersection of Fork Landing Road and intersects with Fellowship Road (CR 610) as it continues into residential and business areas and meeting the intersection of Stiles Avenue (CR 609). After an interchange with Route 73, the road crosses the North Branch of the Pennsauken Creek into Moorestown and becomes Camden Avenue as it passes a few businesses before crossing the intersection of Lenola Road (CR 608). At this point, CR 537 enters wooded areas of homes and reaches the intersection of Kings Highway (CR 611), where the route turns northeast onto West Main Street. The road passes homes and businesses in the downtown area of Moorestown, crossing the intersection of Church Street (CR 607) and becoming East Main Street. The route passes more homes and intersects with Chester Avenue (CR 603). CR 537 briefly joins CR 603 and splits from CR 537 by turning southeast on Mount Laurel Road before coming to the intersection of Marter Avenue (CR 615). CR 537 becomes Marne Highway at this intersection and turns east as it runs immediately to the south of Conrail Shared Assets Operations' Pemberton Industrial Track line, passing a mix of business parks and fields and enters Mount Laurel. Upon intersecting with Centerton Road (CR 619), the route turns north as a four-lane divided highway, reentering Moorestown and heads through fields, crossing the railroad tracks. At the intersection of Westfield Road (CR 614), CR 537 turns southeast as a two-lane undivided road and reenters Mount Laurel, turning east and running parallel to the north of the Conrail tracks again as it passes under I-295 and the New Jersey Turnpike, within a short distance of each other. The road heads through a mix of farms and homes as it crosses the intersection of Hartford Road (CR 686) before continuing east into areas of residential subdivisions as it crosses the intersection of Ark Road/Masonville Road (CR 635). The route heads through more wooded areas of residences as it intersects with Creek Road (CR 636) and enters Hainesport. CR 537 passes between homes and businesses to the north and industrial areas to the south as it comes to the intersection of Hainesport-Mount Laurel Road (CR 674). The road passes over the South Branch of the Rancocas Creek and passes more residential areas as it intersects with Lumberton Road (CR 641).[1][3]

CR 537 (Mill Street) through downtown Mount Holly

The road crosses the intersection of Mount Holly Bypass (CR 541) and runs near more homes, intersecting with Maple Avenue (CR 682) before it heads into Mount Holly and becomes Washington Street. The route passes businesses as it crosses the intersection of Madison Avenue/King Street (CR 691) and continues into the commercial downtown area of Mount Holly as Mill Street, coming to the intersection of Pine Street (CR 612) as it curves northeast and east past more homes. CR 537 turns northeast onto Branch Street, with CR 621 continuing along Mill Street. The route intersects with Garden Street (CR 617). CR 537 continues northeast along Garden Street. Upon crossing into Eastampton, CR 537 becomes Monmouth Road and passes more residences before passing businesses at the intersection of Woodlane Road (CR 630). The road continues into a mix of farmland, woodland, and homes after this intersection and meets the intersection of Smithville Road (CR 684) before entering Springfield Township. The route heads through open farm fields here and intersects with Juliustown Road (CR 669) prior to crossing the intersection of US 206. The road passes through more agriculture and woods with occasional residences as it intersects with Arneys Mount Road (CR 668) before the intersection of Jacksonville-Jobstown Road (CR 670). CR 670 briefly joins the road and splits from CR 537 by turning east on Saylors Pond Road. Farther northeast, CR 537 crosses the intersection of Route 68 and turns more to the east as it passes woods to the north and agricultural areas to the south. After intersecting with Wrightstown-Georgetown Road (CR 545) in commercial areas, the route enters Chesterfield and passes more farms before passing through rural areas of homes and crossing into North Hanover. The road heads through more farmland as it comes to the intersection of Jacobstown-Cookstown Road (CR 665) before passing near residential subdivisions and crossing the intersection of Jacobstown-New Egypt Road (CR 528). After this intersection, the road becomes concurrent with CR 528 Truck and passes through woods before heading into open farmland.[1][3]

Ocean and Monmouth counties

CR 537 westbound on the border of Monmouth and Ocean counties

After crossing Province Line Road, CR 537 becomes the border between Upper Freehold, Monmouth County, to the northwest and Plumsted Township, Ocean County, to the southeast. The road heads through a mix of farms, wooded areas, and some development, intersecting with Holmes Mill Road (CR 27)/Evergreen Road (CR 8). Farther northeast, the route passes near businesses as it intersects with Main Street (CR 27) as well as Hornerstown Road (CR 26) prior to crossing the intersection of Hornerstown-Whiting Road (CR 539), where CR 528 Truck turns south along CR 539. Past Hornerstown-Whiting Road (CR 539), CR 537 enters more forested areas with a few homes and farms, becoming the border between Upper Freehold to the northwest and Jackson to the southeast at the intersection of Hawkin Road (CR 640). The route heads into dense forests and becomes the border between Millstone Township to the northwest and Jackson to the southeast, passing to the west of Prospertown Lake before coming to the entrance of the Six Flags amusement park, which is located in Jackson. CR 537 intersects an exit from the amusement park before coming to an interchange with a westbound exit and eastbound entrance that serves Six Flags. At this point, the route widens into a six-lane divided highway with a jersey barrier and jughandles, passing a mix of woods and businesses before reaching the interchange with I-195. At this interchange, CR 537 narrows back into a two-lane undivided road and passes the Jackson Premium Outlets before crossing the intersection of Trenton-Lakewood Road (CR 526/CR 571). Past this intersection, the road heads into forested areas with some residences.[1][3]

CR 537 westbound at the entrance to Six Flags Great Adventure

CR 537 fully enters Monmouth County and becomes the border between Millstone Township to the northwest and Freehold Township to the southeast, passing through more forests before coming to an intersection of Stagecoach Road (CR 524). CR 524 forms a concurrency with CR 537 at this point, with the two routes continuing northeast. Upon crossing the intersection of Smithburg Road/Siloam Road (CR 527) in Smithburg, the road forms the border between Manalapan and Freehold Township as it passes near farms and homes. In the community of Elton, CR 524 splits from CR 537 by turning east onto Elton-Adelphia Road, with CR 537 continuing northeast past residential subdivisions. Upon crossing the intersection of Thompson Grove Road, the route fully enters Freehold Township and becomes West Main Street, passing more housing developments along with some farms. The road widens to four lanes and briefly becomes a divided highway after intersecting with Gravel Hill Road. From here, the route becomes undivided shortly before passing CentraState Medical Center to the north and enters several business areas. After intersecting with Wal-Mart Drive and Castranova Way, the road reaches an interchange with Route 33. From this interchange, CR 537 passes the entrance to the Freehold Raceway Mall, as well as a farm to the south, prior to interchanging with US 9. At this point, the road heads into Freehold, continuing on West Main Street and passes homes as it intersects with Park Avenue (Business Route 33). The route narrows to two lanes as it intersects with Manalapan Avenue (CR 24) and continues into the commercial downtown of Freehold. At this point, CR 537 passes southeast of the Freehold Center bus terminal and crosses the Freehold Industrial Track railroad line operated by the Delaware and Raritan River Railroad at the intersection of Throckmorton Street (CR 522) before coming to the intersection of South Street (Route 79). Here, Route 79 forms a brief concurrency with CR 537 before it heads north on Broadway. CR 537 continues east-northeast along East Main Street, passing through residential areas and meeting the trailhead of the Henry Hudson Trail. The route crosses back into Freehold Township and becomes Colts Neck Road as it passes through more areas of housing developments and intersecting with Kozloski Road (CR 55) at a signalized intersection where westbound CR 537 traffic exits before the signal to travel through a small interchange to access Kozloski Road (CR 55).[1][3]

CR 524 and CR 537 eastbound on the border of Freehold and Manalapan townships

Upon entering Colts Neck, the road comes to an interchange with Route 18. CR 537 continues past Colts Neck High School, along with more homes, and passes Hominy Hill Golf Course to the south in the Bucks Mill section of the township, before coming to the intersection of Route 34. At this intersection, CR 537 becomes unsigned and heads into agricultural areas. After passing under Normandy Road, which serves as a road and railroad link between the two sections of Naval Weapons Station Earle, the route heads northeast through a mix of farms and housing developments. Upon intersecting with Swimming River Road (CR 50), CR 537 heads into Tinton Falls and turns southeast onto Tinton Avenue. The road enters wooded areas of homes, coming to the intersections of Sycamore Avenue (CR 13A) and Wayside Road (CR 38). After the latter intersection, the route turns east and passes over the Garden State Parkway. The road passes more homes before crossing the intersection of Hope Road (CR 51) into Eatontown. In this area, CR 537 passes more development and crosses the Southern Secondary railroad line operated by the Delaware and Raritan River Railroad before intersecting with Main Street (Route 35) at the former entrance to Fort Monmouth.[1] The route enters the former military base on a road known as the Avenue of Memories. On this portion, the road is lined by trees and memorials to U.S. Army Signal Corps soldiers killed during World War II. It enters Oceanport still within the confines of Fort Monmouth traveling along Saltzman Avenue and Hildreth Avenue before ending at a signalized intersection of Oceanport Avenue (CR 11).[3][4]

Signage for CR 537 at its eastern terminus along Oceanport Avenue (CR 11)

History

From Mount Holly to Moorestown, the road was part of a King's Highway extending from South Amboy to Salem, chartered in 1681.

In the mid-19th century, several turnpikes maintained what would become CR 537:

  • Moorestown and Camden Turnpike: Camden to Moorestown, chartered in 1849, following what is now CR 551 to Camden
  • Mount Holly and Moorestown Turnpike: Moorestown to Mount Holly, chartered in 1852, built on the road built as part of the King's Highway
  • Mount Holly and Jobstown Turnpike: Mount Holly to Jobstown, chartered in 1853
  • Freehold and Smithville Turnpike: Smithburg to Freehold, chartered in 1858
  • Freehold and Colts Neck Turnpike: Freehold to Colts Neck, chartered in 1859
  • Tinton Falls Turnpike: Colts Neck to Shrewsbury, following Sycamore Avenue to Shrewsbury Village, with a branch to Eatontown, chartered in 1866

The road from Camden to Sykesville was signed as part of the Camp Dix Way, an auto trail extending from Camden to Point Pleasant. The road from Camden to what is now US 206 was part of Route 38 until a bypass route was built.

Another CR 537 Spur previously existed, which is now Burlington County Routes 613 and 614.[5]

The former eastern terminus of CR 537 in Long Branch still signed as CR 537 in November 2017

The road that now carries CR 537 through the former Fort Monmouth was originally open to the public but closed after the September 11 attacks. Following the base's closure in 2011, the gates across the Avenue of Memories were locked. As a requirement for the issuance of bonds by Monmouth County for use in redevelopment of the former base, the county required the allowance for public through traffic on the road. In 2016, the county started reconstruction on the 1.7-mile-long (2.7 km) road through the base.[4] The completed reconstructed road was opened to the public on January 17, 2017 and subsequently made part of CR 537. Upon opening, both directions of travel will use Saltzman Avenue and Hildreth Avenue on the Oceanport side of the fort. However, in the future, the roads will be reconfigured as a one-way pair similarly to how the roads operated when the base was in use. Eastbound traffic will use Saltzman and Hildreth avenues while westbound traffic will use Russel Avenue, Sherill Avenue, and Wilson Avenue.[6]

Prior to 2017, CR 537's eastern terminus was in Long Branch at the intersection of Broadway and Myrtle Avenue. From its present intersection of Route 35 outside of Fort Monmouth in Eatontown, it traveled south on Route 35 running concurrent with it for just under 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km), ran along Route 71 from its northern terminus in Downtown Eatontown to the Oceanport boundary, then along Eatontown Boulevard and Broadway through Oceanport, West Long Branch (where it intersected Route 36), and Long Branch.[1] On February 23, 2017, the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders passed a resolution officially making the road through Fort Monmouth part of CR 537 while the old county-maintained portions of Eatontown Boulevard and Broadway became an extension of CR 547 (which previously ended at Route 71 and CR 537 in Eatontown).[7] However as of November 2022, signage for CR 537 still appears along the former section of the road from Fort Monmouth's entrance to Long Branch.

Major intersections

CountyLocationmi[1][2]kmDestinationsNotes
CamdenCamden0.00.0
 CR 737 north (Delaware Ave)		Western terminus
0.50.80 CR 551 (Broadway)
0.60.97
 CR 561 south (Haddon Ave)		Northern terminus of CR 561
0.81.3 I-676Exit 5A (I-676), ramp from southbound I-676 to eastbound CR 537 only
0.91.4

 CR 537 Spur west (Market St)		Eastern terminus of CR 537 Spur
1.11.8 US 30 – Ben Franklin Bridge, Cherry HillInterchange
1.32.1
 CR 543 north (River Rd)		Southern terminus of CR 543
Pennsauken Township3.45.5 US 130 – Burlington, WestvilleInterchange
BurlingtonMaple Shade Township7.612.2
 Route 73 to N.J. Turnpike		Interchange
Hainesport Township17.628.3 CR 541 (Mt Holly Bypass) – Burlington, Lumberton
Springfield Township22.235.7 US 206 – Trenton, Hammonton
27.444.1

 Route 68 to I-95 / N.J. Turnpike – Bordentown, Fort Dix
Springfield–Chesterfield
township line		28.345.5
 CR 545 (Wrightstown-Georgetown Rd) to CR 680 – Bordentown, Wrightstown, Joint Base MDL
North Hanover Township32.151.7 CR 528 (Jacobstown-New Egypt Rd)West end of the overlap with CR 528 Truck
Monmouth–Ocean
county line		Upper Freehold–Plumsted
township line		35.757.5

 CR 539 / CR 528 Truck east (Hornerstown-Whiting Road) – Allentown, Manchester		East end of the overlap with CR 528 Truck
Millstone–Jackson
township line		40.2–
40.3		64.7–
64.9		Six FlagsInterchange
41.666.9


 I-195 to I-95 / N.J. Turnpike / G.S. Parkway – Trenton, Shore Points		Exits 16A-B (I-195)
42.267.9 CR 526 / CR 571 (Trenton-Lakewood Rd) – Allentown, Clarksburg, Shore Pts.
MonmouthMillstone–Freehold
township line		46.374.5
 CR 524 west (Stagecoach Rd) – Allentown, Clarksburg		West end of the overlap with CR 524
Millstone–Manalapan–
Freehold township tripoint		46.775.2 CR 527 (Smithburg Rd/Siloam Rd)Forms the municipal tripoint Smithburg
Manalapan–Freehold
township line		47.576.4
 CR 524 east (Elton-Adelphia Rd)		East end of the overlap with CR 524
Freehold Township50.881.8
 Route 33 to US 9 – Hightstown, Trenton, Asbury Park		Interchange
Freehold Township–Freehold Borough line51.382.6 US 9Interchange
Freehold Borough51.582.9


 Route 33 Bus. (Park Ave) to N.J. Turnpike / G.S. Parkway – Asbury Park
52.183.8
 CR 522 west (Throckmorton St)		Eastern terminus of CR 522
52.284.0
 Route 79 south (South St)		West end of the overlap with Route 79
52.384.2
 Route 79 north (Broadway)		East end of the overlap with Route 79
Colts Neck Township55.288.8 Route 18 – New Brunswick, Shore PointsExit 22 (Route 18)
57.993.2 Route 34 – Matawan, Brielle
Eatontown64.5103.8 Route 35 (Main St) – Red Bank, Asbury ParkAccess to Monmouth Medical Center
Oceanport66.6107.2 CR 11 (Oceanport Ave)Eastern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Special routes

Spur plate county.svg
County Route 537 Spur marker
County Route 537 Spur
LocationCamden
Length1.0 mi[8] (1.6 km)
View west along CR 537 Spur from I-676 in Camden

County Route 537 Spur (CR 537 Spur) extends 1.0 mile (1.6 km) from Delaware Avenue to CR 537 in Camden. The route is one-way westbound and serves as the westbound direction of CR 537 through Downtown Camden.[8]

Major intersections
The entire route is in Camden, Camden County.

mi[8]kmDestinationsNotes
1.01.6
 CR 737 south (Delaware Ave)		Western terminus
0.50.80 CR 551 (Broadway)
0.20.32 I-676Exit 5B (I-676), ramp from southbound I-676
0.00.0 CR 537 (Federal St)Eastern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i NJDOT County Route 537 Straight Line Diagram (PDF) (NJDOT) (Straight line diagram)
  2. ^ a b "Monmouth County Road Plan" (PDF). Monmouth County Planning Board. October 15, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2017. 537 Extension - Eatontown - NJ Rt. 35 - Oceanport Bndry. - 0.88 - 100; 537 Extension - Oceanport - Eatontown Bndry. - Oceanport Ave. (11) - 0.84 - 100
  3. ^ a b c d e f "overview of County Route 537" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Cervenka, Susanne (December 15, 2016). "Route 537 through Fort Monmouth to open in January". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  5. ^ Steve Alpert. "New Jersey Roads - NJ State Highways - CR 531-544". Retrieved 2008-08-28.[self-published source]
  6. ^ Radel, Dan (January 17, 2017). "Fort Monmouth roadway to open to traffic". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  7. ^ "Resolution designating "Avenue of Memories" and associated roadways within the former Fort Monmouth main campus limits as County Route 537 in the Borough of Eatontown and Borough of Oceanport, and re-designating a segment of existing County Route 537 as an extension of County Route 547 in the Borough of Oceanport, Borough of West Long Branch and the City of Long Branch" (PDF). Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders. February 23, 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  8. ^ a b c NJDOT County Route 537 SPUR Straight Line Diagram (PDF) (NJDOT) (Straight line diagram)
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