Editing New Jersey Route 36

{{Short description|State highway in Monmouth County, New Jersey, US}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox road
|state = NJ
|type = NJ
|route = 36
|alternate_name = 
|length_mi = 24.40
|length_ref = <ref name=SLD>{{cite web |url = http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/pdf/00000036__-.pdf |title = Route 36 straight line diagram |publisher = [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]] |access-date = March 17, 2020 }}</ref>
|map = {{maplink-road}}
|map_custom = yes
|map_notes = Route 36 highlighted in red; unsigned route 444S (route 444 Spur) highlighted in pink
|terminus_a = {{jct|state=NJ|GSP||CR|51|county2=Monmouth}} in [[Eatontown, New Jersey|Eatontown]]
|junction = 
*{{jct|state=NJ|NJ|18}} in Eatontown
*{{jct|state=NJ|NJ|35}} in Eatontown
*{{jct|state=NJ|NJ|71}} in [[West Long Branch, New Jersey|West Long Branch]]
|terminus_b = {{jct|state=NJ|GSP||NJ|35}} in [[Keyport, New Jersey|Keyport]]
|established = 1927
|counties = [[Monmouth County, New Jersey|Monmouth]]
|previous_type = NJ
|previous_route = 35
|next_type = NJ
|next_route = 37
|browse = {{nj browse|county=Monmouth|previous_type=CR|previous_route=8B|route=CR&nbsp;9|next_type=CR|next_route=10}}
{{nj browse|county=Monmouth|previous_type=CR|previous_route=43|route=CR&nbsp;44|next_type=CR|next_route=45}}
|direction_a = West
|direction_b = North
}}
'''Route 36''' is a [[List of state highways in New Jersey|state highway]] in [[Monmouth County, New Jersey]], United States. The {{convert|24.40|mi|km|2|adj=on}} long route, shaped as a backwards C, begins at an intersection with the [[Garden State Parkway]] and Hope Road ([[County Route 51 (Monmouth County, New Jersey)|County Route&nbsp;51]], CR&nbsp;51) on the border of [[Tinton Falls, New Jersey|Tinton Falls]] and [[Eatontown, New Jersey|Eatontown]] and runs east to [[Long Branch, New Jersey|Long Branch]]. From Long Branch, the route follows the [[Atlantic Ocean]] north to [[Sea Bright, New Jersey|Sea Bright]] and turns west, running to the south of the [[Raritan Bay]]. Route&nbsp;36 ends in [[Keyport, New Jersey|Keyport]] at an interchange with the Garden State Parkway and [[New Jersey Route 35|Route&nbsp;35]]. It varies in width from a six-lane [[Dual carriageway|divided highway]] to a two-lane undivided road. The route is signed east–west between Eatontown and Long Branch and north&ndash;south between Long Branch and Keyport.

Route&nbsp;36 was created in 1927 to run from Keyport to [[Highlands, New Jersey|Highlands]] along a winding route that went through the downtowns of Keyport, [[Keansburg, New Jersey|Keansburg]], and [[Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey|Atlantic Highlands]]. In 1929, the route was modified to bypass the downtown areas. Route&nbsp;36 was extended to Eatontown in 1940 with only the portion within Eatontown and [[West Long Branch, New Jersey|West Long Branch]] built. The remainder of the route was created with the takeover of Joline Avenue in Long Branch and Ocean Avenue in [[Monmouth Beach, New Jersey|Monmouth Beach]] and Sea Bright from Monmouth County on October 17, 1972, and the completion of Ocean Boulevard in Long Branch in late 1983.

==Route description==
[[File:2020-09-10 11 08 07 View west along New Jersey State Route 36 at the exit for New Jersey State Route 18 (Point Pleasant, New Brunswick) in Eatontown, Monmouth County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|left|Route&nbsp;36 westbound at Route&nbsp;18 in Eatontown]]
Route&nbsp;36 begins at the intersection with Hope Road ([[County Route 51 (Monmouth County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;51]]) and exit&nbsp;105 on the [[Garden State Parkway]] in [[Eatontown, New Jersey|Eatontown]], heading east along a four-lane [[Dual carriageway|divided highway]]. Soon after beginning, it features ramps that provide access to [[New Jersey Route 18|Route&nbsp;18]] in both the westbound and eastbound directions.<ref name=SLD /> The route widens to six lanes and crosses the intersection with Wyckoff Road ([[County Route 547 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;547]]). After that intersection, Route&nbsp;36 passes by the [[Monmouth Mall]] and intersects [[New Jersey Route 35|Route&nbsp;35]] at the former [[Traffic circles in New Jersey|Eatontown Circle]], which has been reconstructed to an at-grade intersection with ramps.<ref name=SLD /><ref name=gm>{{google maps |url = https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=route+36+and+hope+road+eatontown+nj&daddr=40.349161,-73.97644+to:route+36+and+route+35+keyport+nj&geocode=&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=12&via=1&sll=40.324823,-74.029312&sspn=0.12302,0.219727&ie=UTF8&ll=40.373228,-74.10965&spn=0.245864,0.439453&t=h&z=11 |title = Overview of New Jersey Route 36 |access-date = March 31, 2009 }}</ref> Route&nbsp;36 continues east through commercial development and crosses into [[West Long Branch, New Jersey|West Long Branch]], where it comes to an intersection with Monmouth Road ([[New Jersey Route 71|Route&nbsp;71]]). The route heads northeast, passing by [[Shore Regional High School]], and crosses the intersection with Eatontown Boulevard/Broadway (CR&nbsp;547).<ref name=SLD /> Route&nbsp;36 meets the intersection with Oceanport Avenue ([[County Route 11 (Monmouth County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;11]]) and comes to the entrance to the [[Monmouth Park Racetrack]].<ref name=SLD />
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[[File:2018-05-25 13 45 22 View east along New Jersey State Route 36 just east of Monmouth County Route 51 (Hope Road) in Eatontown, Monmouth County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|right|Route&nbsp;36 eastbound past its southern terminus at the Garden State Parkway and CR&nbsp;51 in Eatontown]]
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Route&nbsp;36 narrows to a two-lane undivided highway and crosses into [[Long Branch, New Jersey|Long Branch]], where it becomes Joline Avenue. In Long Branch, the route crosses the intersection with Myrtle Avenue and NJ Transit's [[North Jersey Coast Line]].<ref name=SLD /> Route&nbsp;36 heads toward the [[Atlantic Ocean]], where it intersects Ocean Boulevard ([[County Route 57 (Monmouth County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;57]]), the route turns north and runs along the Atlantic Ocean on Ocean Boulevard, a four-lane divided road. Route&nbsp;36 intersects Atlantic Avenue ([[County Route 29 (Monmouth County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;29]]) and crosses into [[Monmouth Beach, New Jersey|Monmouth Beach]], where it narrows to a two-lane undivided road and becomes Ocean Avenue.<ref name=SLD /> It continues through Monmouth Beach, where it runs just west of the [[Sea Bright–Monmouth Beach Seawall]] separating the road from the ocean, and enters [[Sea Bright, New Jersey|Sea Bright]]. Here, Route&nbsp;36 heads north onto a narrow peninsula between the [[Shrewsbury River]] and the Atlantic Ocean, meeting the intersection with Rumson Road ([[County Route 520 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;520]]). The route continues north along the peninsula to a [[trumpet interchange]] that provides access to [[Gateway National Recreation Area]] at [[Sandy Hook]].<ref name=SLD />

[[File:2021-09-08 15 55 53 View north along New Jersey State Route 36 from the pedestrian overpass at the entrance to Sandy Hook in Sea Bright, Monmouth County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|left|Route&nbsp;36 northbound across the Highlands–Sea Bright Bridge]]
Route&nbsp;36 turns west and crosses the Shrewsbury River on the four-lane [[Highlands–Sea Bright Bridge]], continuing into [[Highlands, New Jersey|Highlands]]. It intersects Bay Avenue ([[County Route 8 (Monmouth County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;8]]) and continues west on a four-lane divided highway with a [[jersey barrier]] and some intersections featuring [[jughandle]]s that runs a short distance to the south of the [[Raritan Bay]].<ref name=SLD /><ref name=gm/> The route then forms the border between Highlands and [[Middletown Township, New Jersey|Middletown Township]], with Highlands to the north and Middletown to the south. Route&nbsp;36 intersects two separate sections of CR&nbsp;8, Linden Avenue and Ocean Boulevard soon after, before intersecting Navesink Avenue ([[County Routes 8B (Monmouth County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;8B]]) and fully entering Middletown.<ref name=SLD /> Route&nbsp;36 continues as Memorial Parkway, and crosses into [[Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey|Atlantic Highlands]]. In Atlantic Highlands, the route intersects Valley Drive East ([[County Routes 8A (Monmouth County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;8A]]) and First Avenue (CR&nbsp;8).<ref name=SLD /> It crosses back into Middletown and meets the intersection with Leonardville Road ([[County Route 516 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;516]]).<ref name=SLD />
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[[File:2018-05-25 15 31 55 View south along New Jersey State Route 36 just south of Monmouth County Route 7 (Main Street-Palmer Avenue) on the border of Keansburg and Middletown Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|right|Route&nbsp;36 westbound past CR&nbsp;7 in Middletown Township]]
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Route&nbsp;36 passes under Normandy Road, which serves as a road and railroad link between the two sections of [[Naval Weapons Station Earle]], with an entrance present to Normandy Road. The route drops Memorial Parkway and meets the intersection with Thompson Avenue ([[County Route 36 (Monmouth County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;36]]).<ref name=SLD /> It crosses the intersection with Palmer Avenue/Main Street ([[County Route 7 (Monmouth County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;7]]) and forms the border between [[Hazlet, New Jersey|Hazlet]] to the south and [[Keansburg, New Jersey|Keansburg]] to the north. Route&nbsp;36 eventually fully enters Hazlet and intersects Monroe Avenue (CR&nbsp;7).<ref name=SLD /> The route then forms the border between Hazlet to the south and [[Union Beach, New Jersey|Union Beach]] to the north and passes over Natco Lake.<ref name=SLD /><ref name=gm/> It intersects Union Avenue ([[County Route 39 (Monmouth County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;39]]) and then Stone Road ([[County Route 6 (Monmouth County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;6]]), where Route&nbsp;36 fully enters Hazlet again. The route crosses the intersection with Middle Road (CR&nbsp;516) and passes between an [[Academy Bus Lines]] terminal to the north and a shopping center that contains a [[park and ride]] lot to the south before it enters [[Keyport, New Jersey|Keyport]].<ref name=SLD /> Route&nbsp;36 intersects Broad Street ([[County Route 4 (Monmouth County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;4]]) and continues to its terminus at an interchange with [[New Jersey Route 35|Route&nbsp;35]] and the [[Garden State Parkway]] at exit&nbsp;117.<ref name=SLD /> The overall shape of Route&nbsp;36 is that of a backwards C.<ref name=gm/>

==History==

=== Ocean Boulevard / Route&nbsp;16 ===
[[File:2021-09-08 15 53 56 View south along New Jersey State Route 36 (Ocean Avenue) from the pedestrian overpass at the entrance to Sandy Hook in Sea Bright, Monmouth County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|right|View westbound along Route&nbsp;36 at the entrance to Sandy Hook in Sea Bright]]
What is now Route&nbsp;36 from Atlantic Highlands to Long Branch was part of the Jersey Coast Way, which ran from the Staten Island Ferry to Cape May.<ref>{{cite map |author = ((Rand McNally and Co.)) |map = Eastern Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, South East Michigan, Southern Ontario, Western New York: District No. 4 |title = Rand McNally Official Auto Trails Map |edition = 3rd |year = 1924 |pages = 168–169 |via = David Rumsey Historical Map Collection |access-date = November 4, 2019 |map-url = https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~201570~3000600:Auto-Trails-Map--Pennsylvania,-New- }}</ref>

In January&nbsp;1916, State Senator [[Henry E. Ackerson Jr.]] introduced a bill to extend Ocean Boulevard from [[Bay Head, New Jersey|Bay Head]] to [[Manasquan, New Jersey|Manasquan]] with an extension planned to the [[Shrewsbury River]]. As part of this, he wanted to extend Ocean Boulevard from Atlantic Highlands to Keyport via Keansburg and Port Monmouth. Ackerson asked that the state take over maintenance of Ocean Boulevard and continue it west to Keyport, reaching the Keyport–Red Bank Turnpike, which the state had interest in turning into a state thoroughfare.<ref>{{cite news |title = Senator Ackerson to Push Ocean Boulevard |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-keyport-weekly-ocean-boulevard-janu/160200945/ |access-date = December 2, 2024 |work = The Keyport Weekly |date = January 28, 1916 |page = 1 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref> The Senate Appropriation Committee held a hearing on February 7, where several senators and high ranking officials in the state offered their support for the new road. This included Benjamin Morris of Long Branch, Commissioner George Pittenger of [[Asbury Park, New Jersey|Asbury Park]] and a representative of the Waterway League of New Jersey. Pittenger stated that the construction of Ocean Boulevard would help bring new motorists to resorts on the Shore in Monmouth County.<ref>{{cite news |title = Urge Funds for Ocean Boulevard |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/perth-amboy-evening-news-ocean-boulevard/160201237/ |access-date = December 2, 2024 |work = Perth Amboy Evening News |date = February 8, 1916 |page = 9 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref> Ackerson announced on March 7 that the Senate passed his Ocean Boulevard bill. The bill included $5,000 for the surveying and mapping of the extension from Atlantic Highlands to Keyport, passing 15–0. $75,000 from the general fund and $75,000 from the state's motor vehicle funds. Construction of the extension would begin in 1916 and be finished by 1926.<ref>{{cite news |title = Boulevard Bill Passes Senate |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/asbury-park-press-ocean-boulevard-march/160201497/ |access-date = December 2, 2024 |work = [[The Asbury Park Press|Asbury Park Evening Press]] |date = March 7, 1916 |page = 2 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref>

Surveying for the extension of Ocean Boulevard occurred in June 1916, with the new road along Bay Avenue through several Monmouth County municipalities between Atlantic Highlands and Keyport along Raritan Bay.<ref>{{cite news |title = Ocean Boulevard to Be Extended and Park Opened |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-central-new-jersey-home-news-nj-16/160201829/ |access-date = December 2, 2024 |work = [[The Home News Tribune|The Daily Home News]] |date = June 27, 1916 |location = New Brunswick, New Jersey |page = 8 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref>

Progress stalled until 1918, when Ackerson proposed a new bill in January, amending a $15&nbsp;million act (Good Roads Bill) to give money for a state highway system. Ackerson's new bill would designate the Ocean Boulevard extension between Keyport and Atlantic Highlands as Route&nbsp;16.<ref>{{cite news |title = Ackerson Puts in Boulevard Bill |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/matawan-journal-route-16-january-17-19/160202702/ |access-date = December 2, 2024 |work = The Matawan Journal |date = January 17, 1918 |page = 8 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref> By February, there was local concern about the Route&nbsp;16 amendment passing through the State Legislature.<ref>{{cite news |title = Farmers' Market Plans Approved by Commerce Board |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-record-route-16-february-19/160202861/ |access-date = December 2, 2024 |work = Long Branch Daily Record |date = February 19, 1918 |page = 2 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref>

Ackerson tried again in January 1919, proposing a bill to amend the March 1917 "An Act to Establish a State Highway System and to Provide for the Improvement, Betterment, Reconstruction, Resurfacing, Maintenance, Repair and Regulation of the Use Thereof" to add Route&nbsp;16 to the state highway system. This new road would begin on [[New Jersey Route 4|Route&nbsp;4]] in the area of Keyport to Atlantic Highlands, down Ocean Avenue in Sea Bright to Norwood Avenue in [[Allenhurst, New Jersey|Allenhurst]].<ref>{{cite news |title = To Add New Route to State Road System |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-keyport-weekly-route-16-january-31/160246346/ |access-date = December 3, 2024 |work = The Keyport Weekly |date = January 31, 1919 |page = 1 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref> The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders endorsed the paving of the proposed Route&nbsp;16 at a meeting on February 10, 1919. In their endorsement, the organization stated that Ocean Avenue and Lake Avenue in the city of Asbury Park would be offered to the State Highway Department for improvement for the new Route&nbsp;16 by 1921. Local concern voiced at the meeting expressed concern that the State Highway Commission would not accept Route&nbsp;16 or provide any connections to it. One commissioner stated that the same occurred with Route&nbsp;4 and that there was hope they would consider changing their minds on Route&nbsp;16.<ref>{{cite news |title = Freeholders Take Steps for Permanent Paving of Ocean Ave. Boulevard |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-record-route-16-part-1-februa/160246855/ |access-date = December 3, 2024 |work = Long Branch Daily Record |date = February 11, 1919 |pages = 1&ndash;[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-record-route-16-part-2-februa/160246880/ 2] |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref>

The League of Mayors endorsed the new Route&nbsp;16, but noted that people in Asbury Park wanted the route to go through their municipality and that of [[Ocean Grove, New Jersey|Ocean Grove]]. League Assemblyman Dallas Young added that Route&nbsp;16 would add {{convert|20|mi|km}} to the {{convert|56|mi|km}} the state wanted to add to the system in Monmouth County. T. Lloyd Lewis stated that he would address the request of those in Asbury Park with Ackerson.<ref>{{cite news |title = League of Mayors to Back Boulevard Bill and Lower R.R. Fares |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-record-nj-shr-16-february-14/160199972/ |access-date = December 3, 2024 |work = Long Branch Daily Record |date = February 14, 1919 |pages = 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-record-nj-shr-16-part-2-febru/160199894/ 6] |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref> However, on March 4, Ackerson withdrew his bill for Route&nbsp;16, stating that he was not confident he had the votes for the bill to pass.<ref>{{cite news |title = Senator Ackerson Lays Over Bill for Highway Extension; 'Pro' Amendment Gets Hearing |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-record-route-16-march-4-1919/160247578/ |access-date = December 3, 2024 |work = Long Branch Daily Record |date = March 4, 1919 |page = 1 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref> Ackerson re-offered the bill once more on March 18, but the bill failed by a vote of 11–5. The opposition's spokesperson, Senator [[Clarence E. Case]], stated that Monmouth County was already given preference in their decision making of the current highway map.<ref>{{cite news |title = "Ocean Highway" Bill Again Fails |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-central-new-jersey-home-news-route-1/160247691/ |access-date = December 3, 2024 |work = [[The Home News Tribune|The Daily Home News]] |date = March 18, 1919 |location = [[New Brunswick, New Jersey]] |page = 5 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref>

Senator [[William A. Stevens]], Ackerson's replacement, brought back a bill to construct the Ocean Boulevard stretch between Atlantic Highlands and Keyport in January 1925.<ref>{{cite news |title = Senate Gets 51 Bills on Opening Day |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-central-new-jersey-home-news-ocean-b/160262965/ |access-date = December 3, 2024 |work = [[The Home News Tribune|The Daily Home News]] |date = January 14, 1925 |pages = 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-central-new-jersey-home-news-ocean-b/160262931/ 9] |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref> Unlike the bill from Ackerson in 1919, Stevens' vote passed the Senate unanimously to build the {{convert|5.5|mi|km|adj=on}} road. Stevens stated that the congestion in Keyport was one of the worst centers in the state and the new route would provide a detour to reduce congestion in Monmouth County.<ref>{{cite news |title = Favor Connecting Boulevard Link |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/asbury-park-press-ocean-blvd-february-2/160263167/ |access-date = December 3, 2024 |work = [[The Asbury Park Press|Asbury Park Evening Press]] |date = February 25, 1925 |page = 1 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref>

=== Route&nbsp;36 ===
Route&nbsp;36 was established by the [[1927 New Jersey state highway renumbering|Laws of 1927, Chapter 319]] to run between [[Keyport, New Jersey|Keyport]] and [[Highlands, New Jersey|Highlands]]. The route was to run up Broad Street from Front Street in Keyport, follow 1st Street east to the 2nd Street Bridge, and run east along Stone Road to [[Keansburg, New Jersey|Keansburg]]. It would pass through Keansburg on Church Street and follow Shore Road east to the [[Belford, New Jersey|Belford]] drawbridge and then on through more rural fields and meadows. Route&nbsp;36 would head along Center Avenue from Ocean View to [[Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey|Atlantic Highlands]], where it would turn north on First Avenue and run east along Ocean Boulevard to Route 36 in Highlands. Route 36 would follow east to the drawbridge over the [[Shrewsbury River]].<ref name=nj1927>State of New Jersey, Laws of 1927, Chapter 319.</ref><ref name="Map">{{cite map |url = http://www.jimmyandsharonwilliams.com/njroads/1920s/images/1927_routes.gif |title = 1927 New Jersey Road Map |publisher = State of New Jersey |access-date = October 8, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160313112746/http://jimmyandsharonwilliams.com/njroads/1920s/images/1927_routes.gif |archive-date = March 13, 2016 }}</ref> This routing as proposed was considered impractical as it consisted entirely of local roads, went through the downtown areas of Keyport, Keansburg and Atlantic Highlands, and contained many hazardous sharp curves.<ref name=gm/> This was remedied in 1929, when Route&nbsp;36 was designated to bypass the downtowns and sharp curves.<ref name=nj1929>State of New Jersey, Laws of 1929, Chapter 13.</ref>

[[File:Bridge Work.jpg|thumb|left|Construction on the Highlands–Sea Bright Bridge, which was replaced with a fixed span in 2011]]
In 1940, Route&nbsp;36 was extended south to [[New Jersey Route 35|Route&nbsp;35]] in [[Eatontown, New Jersey|Eatontown]], but only a portion was constructed in Eatontown and [[West Long Branch, New Jersey|West Long Branch]].<ref name=nj1940>State of New Jersey, Laws of 1940, Chapter 95.</ref> As a result, this extension remained unsigned in the [[1953 New Jersey state highway renumbering]].<ref name="nj1953">{{Cite book |title = 1953 renumbering |url = http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1953_New_Jersey_state_highway_renumbering |publisher = New Jersey Department of Highways |access-date = July 31, 2009 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110628183145/http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1953_New_Jersey_state_highway_renumbering |archive-date = June 28, 2011 }}</ref> Additional parts of this extension were taken over on October 17, 1972, with the takeover of '''County Route&nbsp;9''', which was Ocean Avenue between the [[Long Branch, New Jersey|Long Branch]]–[[Monmouth Beach, New Jersey|Monmouth Beach]] border and the [[Sea Bright, New Jersey|Sea Bright]]–[[Middletown Township, New Jersey|Middletown]] border, and '''County Route&nbsp;44''', which was Joline Avenue between Branchport Avenue and Ocean Avenue in Long Branch.<ref name=rumc>{{cite map |publisher = [[Rutgers University]] Cartography Services |title = Monmouth County Road Map – Sheet 4 |year = 1962 |url = http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/MONMOUTH_COUNTY/MonCoHighway1962_4.gif |access-date = November 7, 2008 }}</ref> CR&nbsp;9 was initially taken over as a [[county highway]] by resolution of the Monmouth County [[Board of Chosen Freeholders]] on September 1, 1903, running from Rumson Road north to the Middletown border at Sandy Hook.<ref>Resolution, Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, September 1, 1903</ref> It was extended to the southern border of Monmouth Beach by two resolutions dated February 4, 1920.<ref>Resolutions, Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, February 4, 1920</ref> CR&nbsp;44 was taken over as a county road on October 18, 1939.<ref>Resolution, Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, October 18, 1939</ref> Following the takeover of CR&nbsp;9 and CR&nbsp;44, a short gap of Route&nbsp;36 remained in Long Branch (Ocean Avenue between Joline Avenue and the Monmouth Beach border) that was municipally maintained; with the completion of Ocean Boulevard in late 1983 that link has been added.<ref name=tandm>{{Cite web |title = Long Branch's Ocean Boulevard Article |publisher = T&M Associates |access-date = November 10, 2008 |url = http://www.tandmassociates.com/LBranch.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080420074629/http://www.tandmassociates.com/LBranch.html |archive-date = April 20, 2008 }}</ref>

Between 2008 and 2011, the [[Highlands–Sea Bright Bridge]], which was originally a [[Moveable bridge|drawbridge]], was replaced with a fixed span with a clearance {{convert|30|ft|m}} higher than its predecessor.<ref name=app>{{cite news |last = Muessig |first = Terry Gauthier |access-date = November 7, 2008 |title = Demolition starts on Highlands-Sea Bright bridge |newspaper = [[Asbury Park Press]] |date = July 15, 2008 |url = http://m.app.com/BETTER/news.jsp?key=85496&p=1 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Kyrillos and Beck Attend Ribbon Cutting For New Route 36 Highlands Bridge |url = http://www.senatorkyrillos.com/news.html?start=40 |access-date = December 4, 2011 |date = May 1, 2011 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120426021355/http://www.senatorkyrillos.com/news.html?start=40 |archive-date = April 26, 2012 }}</ref>

==In popular culture==
The Marina Diner from the 1997 film ''[[Chasing Amy]]'', now known as the King Arms II Diner, is located along Route&nbsp;36 in [[Belford, New Jersey|Belford]].<ref name=cal>{{cite web |url = http://www.viewaskew.com/chasingamy/locations.html |title = Chasing Amy Locations |publisher = [[Chasing Amy]] |access-date = November 8, 2008 }}</ref> Additionally, the Quick Stop Groceries and RST Video stores from the 1994 film ''[[Clerks (1994 film)|Clerks]]'' are located just north of the highway's intersection with Leonard Avenue in [[Leonardo, New Jersey|Leonardo]].<ref name=trt>{{cite news |last = Augustine |first = Steve |title = I Assure You, They Were Open! |work = Tequila Times |date = June 2008 }}</ref> Both films were created by former [[New Jersey]] resident [[Kevin Smith]].

==Major intersections==
{{jcttop|state=NJ|county=Monmouth|length_ref=<ref name=SLD/>}}
{{NJint
|location=Eatontown
|lspan=4
|mile=0.00
|road={{jct|state=NJ|CR|51|county1=Monmouth|name1=Hope Road}}<br />{{jct|state=NJ|GSP|city1=Toms River|location2=[[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge]]}}
|notes=Exit&nbsp;105 (Garden State Parkway); no commercial vehicles allowed on the Garden State Parkway north of this exit
}}
{{NJint
|mile=0.26
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=NJ|NJ|18|city1=Point Pleasant|city2=New Brunswick}}
|notes=Westbound exit, eastbound entrance; exit 13B on Route&nbsp;18; interchange
}}
{{NJint
|mile=1.27
|road={{jct|state=NJ|CR|547|name1=Wyckoff Road|extra=rail}}
|notes=To [[New Jersey Route 35 |Route&nbsp;35]] north; access to [[Little Silver station|Little Silver Station]]
}}
{{NJint
|mile=1.54
|road={{jct|state=NJ|NJ|35|location1=[[Fort Monmouth]]|city2=Red Bank|location3=[[The Amboys]]|city4=Asbury Park|location5=[[Seaside Heights, New Jersey|Seaside Hts]]}}
|notes=Former [[Traffic circles in New Jersey|Eatontown Circle]]
}}
{{NJint
|location=West Long Branch
|lspan=2
|mile=2.78
|road={{jct|state=NJ|NJ|71|name1=Monmouth Road|city1=West Long Branch|city2=Asbury Park|city3=Eatontown|extra=hospital}}
|notes=Access to [[Monmouth Medical Center]] and [[Monmouth University]]
}}
{{NJint
|mile=3.26
|road={{jct|state=NJ|CR|547|name1=Eatontown Boulevard/Broadway|city1=Oceanport|city2=Long Branch|extra=rail}}
|notes=Access to [[Long Branch station (NJ Transit)|Long Branch Station]] and [[Monmouth Medical Center]]
}}
{{NJint
|location=Sea Bright
|lspan=2
|mile=9.37
|road={{jct|state=NJ|CR|520|dir1=west|name1=Rumson Road|to2=to|GSP}}
|notes=Eastern terminus of CR&nbsp;520
}}
{{NJint
|mile=11.48
|road=[[Gateway National Recreation Area]] – [[Sandy Hook]]
|notes=Interchange
}}
{{jctbridge
|state=NJ
|location_special=[[Shrewsbury River]]
|mile=11.63
|bridge=[[Highlands–Sea Bright Bridge]]
}}
{{NJint
|location=Highlands
|mile=11.77
|road={{jct|state=NJ|road|Bay Avenue|city1=Highlands}}
|notes=Interchange; access via [[County Route 8 (Monmouth County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;8]] west 
}}
{{NJint
|location=Middletown Township
|mile=15.39
|road={{jct|state=NJ|CR|516|dir1=west|name1=Leonardville Road|city1=Highlands}}
|notes=Eastern terminus of CR&nbsp;516
}}
{{NJint
|location=Hazlet
|mile=23.59
|road={{jct|state=NJ|CR|516|name1=Middle Road|city1=Keyport|city2=Hazlet}}
|notes=
}}
{{NJint
|location=Keyport
|mile=24.40
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=NJ|NJ|35|dir1=north|to2=to|NJTP2||name2=[[Interstate 95 in New Jersey|I-95]]|city1=Matawan|location2=[[The Amboys]]}}<br />{{jct|state=NJ|GSP|location1=[[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge]]|location2=[[North Jersey]]}}
|notes=No access from Route&nbsp;36 to Route&nbsp;35 southbound or from Route&nbsp;35 northbound to Route&nbsp;36; interchange; exit&nbsp;117 on Garden State Parkway
}}
{{jctbtm|keys=incomplete}}

==See also==
*{{Portal-inline|U.S. Roads}}
*{{Portal-inline|New Jersey}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|New Jersey Route 36}}
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
*[http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/nj/nj_36/ New Jersey Roads: Route 36]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927220121/http://www.njroads.org/ends/36/nj36.htm New Jersey Highway Ends: Route 36]
*[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/traffic_orders/speed/rt36.shtm Speed Limits for Route 36]

{{good article}}

[[Category:State highways in New Jersey|036]]
[[Category:Transportation in Monmouth County, New Jersey]]