Editing New Jersey Route 55

{{Short description|State highway in southern, New Jersey, US}}
{{about|the current New Jersey Route&nbsp;55|the former Route&nbsp;55 in Atlantic County|New Jersey Route&nbsp;55 (pre-1953)}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox road
|state=NJ
|type=NJ
|route=55
|alternate_name=Veterans Memorial Highway
|map={{maplink-road}}
|map_custom=yes
|map_notes=Route&nbsp;55 highlighted in red
|map_alt=A map of southern New Jersey showing major roads and places. Route&nbsp;55 connects Route&nbsp;47 in the south, heading up through Vineland and Glassboro to Route&nbsp;42 south of Camden
|length_mi=40.54
|length_ref=<ref name="sld">{{
cite web
| publisher=[[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]
| year=2009
| title=Route&nbsp;55 straight line diagram
| access-date=March 17, 2020
| url=http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/pdf/00000055__-.pdf
|format=PDF}}</ref>

|direction_a=South
|terminus_a={{jct|state=NJ|NJ|47}} in [[Maurice River Township, New Jersey|Maurice River Township]]
|junction={{plainlist|
*{{jct|state=NJ|NJ|49}} in [[Millville, New Jersey|Millville]]
*{{jct|state=NJ|NJ|47}} in Millville
*{{jct|state=NJ|NJ|56}} in [[Vineland, New Jersey|Vineland]]
*{{jct|state=NJ|US|40}} in [[Franklin Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey|Franklin Township]]
*{{jct|state=NJ|US|322|CR|536}} in [[Harrison Township, New Jersey|Harrison Township]]
}}
|direction_b=North
|terminus_b={{jct|state=NJ|NJ|42}} in [[Deptford Township, New Jersey|Deptford Township]]
|established=1969<ref name="chevron"/><ref name=tdj3/>
|history=Completed in 1989
|counties=[[Cumberland County, New Jersey|Cumberland]], [[Salem County, New Jersey|Salem]], [[Gloucester County, New Jersey|Gloucester]] 
|previous_type=NJ
|previous_route=54
|next_type=NJ
|next_route=56
}}

'''Route&nbsp;55''' is a [[controlled-access highway|freeway]] in the southern part of the U.S. state of [[New Jersey]]. Also known as the '''Veterans Memorial Highway''', it runs {{convert|40.54|mi|km|2}} from an intersection with [[New Jersey Route 47|Route&nbsp;47]] in [[Port Elizabeth, New Jersey|Port Elizabeth]] north to an [[interchange (road)|interchange]] with [[New Jersey Route 42|Route&nbsp;42]] in [[Gloucester County, New Jersey|Gloucester County]]. The Route&nbsp;55 freeway serves as a main road through Cumberland and Gloucester counties, serving [[Millville, New Jersey|Millville]], [[Vineland, New Jersey|Vineland]], and [[Glassboro, New Jersey|Glassboro]]. It is used as a commuter route north to [[Philadelphia]] and, along with Route&nbsp;47, as a route from the [[Delaware Valley]] to the [[Jersey Shore]] resorts in [[Cape May County, New Jersey|Cape May County]]. Route&nbsp;55 has a posted speed limit of {{convert|65|mi/h|km/h|0}} for most of its length.

What is now Route&nbsp;55 was originally proposed in the 1950s as a [[toll road]] called the Cape May Expressway that was to run from the [[Walt Whitman Bridge]] to [[Cape May, New Jersey|Cape May]]. In 1962, the [[New Jersey Expressway Authority]] was created to build the Cape May Expressway and the [[Atlantic City Expressway]]. However, by 1965, the road to Cape May was turned over to the [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]] (NJDOT) and designated as Route&nbsp;55, which was to run from [[Westville, New Jersey|Westville]] to [[Cape May Court House, New Jersey|Cape May Court House]]. The first portion of the route opened around Millville in 1969 while the section bypassing Vineland was completed in the 1970s. Route&nbsp;55 was completed north to [[Deptford Township, New Jersey|Deptford]] in 1989.

Meanwhile, the portion between Route&nbsp;47 in [[Port Elizabeth, New Jersey|Port Elizabeth]] and the [[Garden State Parkway]] in [[Middle Township, New Jersey|Middle Township]] was canceled in 1975 due to the impact the highway would have on the surrounding environment.

==Route description==

===Cumberland and Salem counties===
[[File:2018-08-07 18 43 04 View north along New Jersey State Route 55 (Cape May Expressway) just north of Exit 24 in Millville, Cumberland County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|left|Route 55 northbound past the Route 49 interchange in Millville]]
Route&nbsp;55 begins at a signalized intersection with Route&nbsp;47 in the [[Port Elizabeth, New Jersey|Port Elizabeth]] section of [[Maurice River Township, New Jersey|Maurice River Township]], [[Cumberland County, New Jersey|Cumberland County]], heading to the north as a [[two-lane expressway|two-lane freeway]] through wooded areas.<ref name="sld"/><ref name=gm>{{google maps |url=https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Rte-47+%26+NJ-55,+Millville,+Cumberland,+New+Jersey+08332&daddr=39.85,+-75.095&geocode=FfkbWAIdpaiH-w%3BFRAQYAIdKCSG-w&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=39.842418,-75.108376&sspn=0.060234,0.110378&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=9|title=overview of New Jersey Route&nbsp;55 |access-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref> At the southern terminus, the road continues south as part of Route&nbsp;47. A short distance after beginning, the road becomes a [[controlled-access highway|four-lane freeway]] and comes to a southbound exit and northbound entrance with Schooner Landing Road.<ref name="sld"/> Past this interchange, Route&nbsp;55 enters [[Millville, New Jersey|Millville]] and crosses over the [[Manantico Creek]] as it heads into built-up areas. The freeway continues north to an interchange with [[New Jersey Route 49|Route&nbsp;49]].<ref name="sld"/><ref name=gm/>

Past the Route&nbsp;49 interchange, Route&nbsp;55 continues through Millville, passing over [[County Route 552 Spur (New Jersey)|County Route&nbsp;552 Spur]] (CR&nbsp;552 Spur). The route passes to the east of [[WheatonArts]], which is also home to the Creative Glass Center of America, before turning northwest and crossing into [[Vineland, New Jersey|Vineland]], where it interchanges with [[County Route 555 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;555]].<ref name="sld"/><ref name=gm/>

The freeway turns to the west past the CR&nbsp;555 interchange and crosses over [[Conrail Shared Assets Operations]]' [[Vineland Secondary]] railroad line before entering Millville again.<ref name="sld"/> At this point, the route comes to a modified [[cloverleaf interchange]] with Route&nbsp;47 adjacent to the [[Cumberland Mall (New Jersey)|Cumberland Mall]].<ref name="sld"/><ref name=gm/><ref name=cumberlandmall>{{cite web|url=http://www.cumberlandmallnj.com/about_us/directions|title=Directions|publisher=[[Cumberland Mall (New Jersey)|Cumberland Mall]]| access-date=December 19, 2009}}</ref>  From Route&nbsp;47, the freeway enters forested areas again and makes a turn to the north, crossing back into Vineland. In Vineland, it interchanges with [[County Route 552 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;552]] near [[Inspira Health Network|Inspira Medical Center Vineland]].<ref name="sld"/><ref name=gm/> This exit also serves the [[Rowan College of South Jersey]] Cumberland Campus to the east.<ref name=ccc>{{cite web |url=http://www.cccnj.edu/pdf/CCC%20Web%20site%20maps.pdf |title=Directions & Campus |publisher=[[Cumberland County College]] |format=PDF |access-date=December 19, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527093603/http://www.cccnj.edu/pdf/CCC%20Web%20site%20maps.pdf |archive-date=May 27, 2010 }}</ref>

Route&nbsp;55 continues between rural areas near the [[Maurice River]] to the west and development to the east, coming to a cloverleaf interchange with [[New Jersey Route 56|Route&nbsp;56]].<ref name=gm/> Past this interchange, the route passes over a [[Winchester and Western Railroad]] line before crossing over [[County Route 540 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;540]]. Farther north, a modified cloverleaf interchange serves CR&nbsp;674 (Garden Road), which provides access to the northern part of Vineland. Past the Garden Road interchange, Route&nbsp;55 continues through farmland and woodland, passing to the east of Rudys Airport.<ref name=gm/> The freeway crosses Scotland Run and briefly runs through [[Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey|Pittsgrove Township]] in [[Salem County, New Jersey|Salem County]].<ref name="sld"/><ref name=gm/>

===Gloucester County===
[[File:2021-08-09 11 29 33 View north along New Jersey State Route 55 (Cape May Expressway) from the overpass for U.S. Route 322 and Gloucester County Route 536 (Mullica Hill Road) in Harrison Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|right|Route 55 northbound at US 322 in Harrison Township]] 
Route&nbsp;55 continues northwest into [[Franklin Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey|Franklin Township]], [[Gloucester County, New Jersey|Gloucester County]], and reaches a cloverleaf interchange with [[U.S. Route 40 in New Jersey|U.S. Route&nbsp;40]] (US&nbsp;40). Past this interchange, the freeway heads north,  crossing over [[County Route 538 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;538]].<ref name="sld"/><ref name=gm/> Route&nbsp;55 comes to a [[diamond interchange]] with Little Mill Road before entering [[Clayton, New Jersey|Clayton]] and turning to the west. A short distance later, Route&nbsp;55 continues into [[Elk Township, New Jersey|Elk Township]] and comes to an interchange with [[County Route 553 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;553]].<ref name="sld"/>

The route continues north into [[Glassboro, New Jersey|Glassboro]], where it has an interchange with CR&nbsp;641.<ref name="sld"/> Past this interchange, Route&nbsp;55 crosses into [[Harrison Township, New Jersey|Harrison Township]] and meets [[U.S. Route 322 in New Jersey|US&nbsp;322]] and [[County Route 536 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;536]] at a cloverleaf interchange near [[Inspira Health Network|Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill]].<ref name="sld"/><ref name=gm/>  US&nbsp;322 heads east into Glassboro and serves [[Rowan University]].<ref name=rowan>{{cite web|url=http://www.rowan.edu/map/directions.html|title=Directions to the Glassboro Campus |publisher=[[Rowan University]]| access-date=December 19, 2009}}</ref>

Past the US&nbsp;322 interchange, the freeway continues through agricultural areas and enters [[Mantua Township, New Jersey|Mantua Township]], where it turns northeast and crosses under [[County Route 553 Alternate (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;553 Alternate]].<ref name="sld"/><ref name=gm/> Route&nbsp;55 passes under Conrail Shared Assets Operations' Vineland Secondary railroad line before intersecting CR&nbsp;553 again at a modified cloverleaf interchange.<ref name="sld"/> This interchange provides access to The Broadway Theatre of [[Pitman, New Jersey|Pitman]].<ref name=broadway>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebroadwaytheatre.org/?go=box_office#directions|title=Directions to The Broadway Theatre of Pitman |publisher=The Broadway Theatre of Pitman| access-date=December 19, 2009}}</ref>

Past CR&nbsp;553, the route turns north again and passes near more suburban surroundings, briefly entering [[Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey|Washington Township]] before crossing into [[Deptford Township, New Jersey|Deptford Township]]. In Deptford Township, Route&nbsp;55 comes to a cloverleaf interchange with Route&nbsp;47.<ref name="sld"/><ref name=gm/>  Northbound Route&nbsp;47 heads toward the Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus in [[Sewell, New Jersey|Sewell]].<ref name=gcc>{{cite web|url=http://www.gccnj.edu/information/directions/index.cfm|title=Directions|publisher=[[Gloucester County College]]|access-date=December 19, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214222520/http://www.gccnj.edu/information/directions/index.cfm|archive-date=December 14, 2009}}</ref>  It crosses [[County Route 534 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;534]] before coming to a [[trumpet interchange]] with Deptford Center Road that provides access to CR&nbsp;621 and the [[Deptford Mall]].<ref name="sld"/><ref name=gm/> Past this interchange, Route&nbsp;55 passes under [[County Route 544 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;544]] and CR&nbsp;621 before merging onto [[New Jersey Route 42|Route&nbsp;42]] and coming to an end.<ref name="sld"/>

==History==
[[File:2018-08-07 18 32 44 View north along New Jersey State Route 55 (Cape May Expressway) just north of New Jersey State Route 47 in Maurice River Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|left|View north at the south end of Route 55 at Route 47 in Maurice River Township]]
Following the completion of the [[Walt Whitman Bridge]] in the 1950s, two controlled-access [[toll road]]s were proposed to connect the bridge to [[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City]] and to [[Cape May, New Jersey|Cape May]].<ref name=nyt>{{cite news |last=Weart |first=William D. |title=Bridge is Opened at Philadelphia|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 16, 1957}}</ref> In 1962, the New Jersey Expressway Authority Act was signed into law. This act created the [[New Jersey Expressway Authority]], which was to manage both the [[Atlantic City Expressway|Atlantic City]] and Cape May expressways.<ref name=njea>{{cite book|title=Atlantic City Expressway: Engineering Report|publisher=[[New Jersey Expressway Authority]]|year=1962}}</ref>

While the [[Atlantic City Expressway]] was completed by the authority in 1965, the Cape May Expressway was turned over to the state about this time.<ref name=sjtahistory>{{cite web|publisher=[[South Jersey Transportation Authority]]|url=http://www.acexpressway.com/acexpressway/history.asp|title=Atlantic City Expressway – History & Milestones|access-date=October 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612175255/http://www.acexpressway.com/acexpressway/history.asp|archive-date=June 12, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=nj1964>{{cite book|publisher=State of New Jersey|title=Laws of 1964, Chapter&nbsp;16.|page=37}}</ref> The Cape May Expressway was designated Route&nbsp;55 and legislated to run from [[U.S. Route 130|US&nbsp;130]] in [[Westville, New Jersey|Westville]] to [[U.S. Route 9 in New Jersey|US&nbsp;9]] near [[Cape May Court House, New Jersey|Cape May Court House]].<ref name=nj1964/> This proposed freeway was projected to cost $90&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US|90000000|1965|r=0}}}} in {{CURRENTYEAR}}{{Inflation-fn|US}}) and be completed in 1975.<ref name=dvrpc>{{cite book|title=1985 Regional Transportation Plan|publisher=[[Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission]] |year=1969}}</ref>

In 1969, the first segment of Route&nbsp;55 opened between Maurice River Township and the Vineland-Millville border, connecting to Route&nbsp;47 at both ends.<ref name="chevron">{{cite map|publisher=[[Chevron Oil Company]]|title= Map of New Jersey |year=1969|cartography=[[H.M. Gousha]]}}</ref><ref name="esso">{{cite map|publisher=[[Esso]]|title= Map of New Jersey |year=1970|cartography=[[General Drafting]]}}</ref> In the 1970s, the planned northern terminus of Route&nbsp;55 was moved to Route&nbsp;42 in Deptford. The portion of Route&nbsp;55 between Route&nbsp;47 in Millville and US&nbsp;40 in Franklin Township was completed in the mid-1970s while the portion between US&nbsp;40 and Route&nbsp;42 was completed in October 1989.<ref name=tdj3>{{cite news|last=Fuhrmann|first=Doug|access-date=September 10, 2009|title=Local history: Route&nbsp;55|newspaper=The Daily Journal|date=March 1, 2009|url=http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20090301/NEWS01/90404015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204071725/http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20090301/NEWS01/90404015|archive-date=February 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name="exxon1976">{{cite map|publisher=[[Exxon]]|title= Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia |year=1976 |cartography=General Drafting}}</ref><ref name=nyt2>{{cite news |access-date=September 9, 2009|title=New Jersey Will Buy 1,000 Acres to Preserve Farmland |newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 30, 1999 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/30/nyregion/new-jersey-will-buy-1000-acres-to-preserve-farmland.html}}</ref> The Route&nbsp;55 freeway has been instrumental in bringing economic development to southern New Jersey. The most common use of the highway is as a commuting route northward to [[Philadelphia]]. Following its completion, residential development in the southern part of Gloucester County has increased.<ref name=nyt2/>

While the freeway was under construction in 1983, it was discovered that it ran through Native American burial grounds in Deptford. This revelation led to unsuccessful lawsuits to cease construction of the route. After the lawsuits, a couple of incidents happened to construction workers, including a construction worker being run over by an asphalt truck, another being blown off a bridge by strong winds, and a van carrying five construction workers randomly erupting into flames.<ref name=tdj3/>

[[File:2020-07-12 12 13 35 View north along New Jersey State Route 55 (Cape May Expressway) at Exit 39A (U.S. Route 40 EAST, Malaga) in Franklin Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|right|Route&nbsp;55 northbound at the US&nbsp;40 interchange in Franklin Township]]
Meanwhile, the portion of freeway south of Route&nbsp;47 in Maurice River Township was not yet built. In 1972, NJDOT wanted to provide adequate access to the [[Cape May Peninsula]] by extending the freeway southeast from the current terminus to the [[Garden State Parkway]] in [[Middle Township, New Jersey|Middle Township]].<ref name=NJDOT1972>{{cite book|title=Master Plan for Transportation|publisher=New Jersey Department of Transportation |year=1972}}</ref> NJDOT conducted an environmental study on this proposal in 1975. The route was projected to cost $155&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US|155000000|1975|r=0}}}} in {{CURRENTYEAR}}{{Inflation-fn|US}}) and be finished by 1995.<ref name=NJDOT1975>{{cite book|title=New Jersey Route&nbsp;55, Administrative Action Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Section 4(f) Statement |publisher=[[Federal Highway Administration]] and New Jersey Department of Transportation |year=1975}}</ref> Plans resurfaced for a southern extension in 1993 when a feasibility study was conducted to see if the extension of Route&nbsp;55 could be built. This study, which estimated the extension would cost between $423&nbsp;million and $483&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US|423000000|1993|r=0}}}} and ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US|483000000|1993|r=0}}}} in {{CURRENTYEAR}}{{Inflation-fn|US}}), concluded that the road should not be built because it crossed too many [[wetlands]].<ref name=nyt3>{{cite news|last=Mansnerus|first=Laura|access-date=September 9, 2009|title=Road and Rail; Seeking a Line in the Sand|newspaper=The New York Times |date=May 7, 2000 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/07/nyregion/road-and-rail-seeking-a-line-in-the-sand.html?scp=1&sq=new%20jersey%20%22route%2055%22&st=cse}}</ref>

The Route&nbsp;55 freeway, like many other highways in New Jersey, once had solar-powered emergency [[call box]]es every mile (about 1.6&nbsp;km); the use of the call boxes became limited due to the increasing popularity of cell phones. To save on maintenance costs, NJDOT removed these call boxes in 2005.<ref name=pressac>{{cite news|last=Barlas|first=Thomas|title= Last call for N.J.'s roadside call boxes|newspaper=[[The Press of Atlantic City]]|date=February 28, 2007}}</ref>

Despite the fact that the southern extension was held up for decades, it was revisited due to the disturbing images of [[Hurricane Katrina]] and [[Hurricane Rita]] in 2005 in the Gulf states. Route&nbsp;55 could have been extended in order to provide a proper evacuation route for [[Cape May Peninsula]] and surrounding area.<ref name=tdj>{{cite news|date=September 27, 2005|title=Route&nbsp;55 Southern Extension|newspaper=The Daily Journal|location=Vineland, N.J.}}</ref> In addition, traffic jams along Route&nbsp;47 during the summer also led to a possible revival of the proposal.<ref name=nyt3/> There were efforts and studies to consider finishing the remaining {{convert|20|mi|km}} of the missing freeway.<ref name=tdj2>{{cite news|first=Joseph P.|last=Smith|title=Lawmakers again tackle Rt.&nbsp;55 tie-ups|newspaper=The Daily Journal|location=Vineland, N.J.|date=March 14, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdcnj.com/WSCRSP/WSCRSP%20Final%208.30.05%20Pg%2051-62%20Regional%20PIA.pdf|format=PDF|title=Regional Planning and Implementation Agenda|access-date=March 17, 2007|pages=3,&nbsp;7|publisher=Western/Southern Cumberland Region Strategic Plan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/S0500/293_I1.PDF|format=PDF|title=Legislation for Route&nbsp;55 Extension|publisher=[[New Jersey Legislature]]|access-date=December 19, 2009}}</ref>

In 2009, State Senator [[Jeff Van Drew]] introduced a plan for an extension of Route&nbsp;55 into Cape May County where the [[South Jersey Transportation Authority]] would build the road. In order to reduce the impact on the environment, the freeway would have been elevated.<ref name=cmch>{{cite news|last=Campbell|first=Al|access-date=September 10, 2009|title=Elevated Rt.&nbsp;55 Will Be Project For Authority|newspaper=[[Cape May County Herald]]|date=August 26, 2009|url=http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/53781-elevated+rt.+55+will+be+project+authority}}</ref> The extension of Route&nbsp;55 would have been tolled.<ref name=sunbeam>{{cite news|last=Barna|first=John|access-date=September 10, 2009|title=Route&nbsp;55 expansion debate revived|newspaper=[[Today's Sunbeam]]|date=July 26, 2009|url=http://www.nj.com/sunbeam/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1248590422263510.xml&coll=9}}</ref> This effort followed two years of failed attempts for a feasibility study to relieve traffic on Route&nbsp;47.<ref name=app>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Joseph P.|access-date=September 27, 2009|title=Route&nbsp;55 extension may get big backer|newspaper=[[Asbury Park Press]]|date=July 19, 2009|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/app/access/1796053571.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+19%2C+2009&author=JOSEPH+P+SMITH&pub=Asbury+Park+Press&edition=&startpage=n%2Fa&desc=Route+55+extension+may+get+big+backer|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630042350/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/app/access/1796053571.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+19,+2009&author=JOSEPH+P+SMITH&pub=Asbury+Park+Press&edition=&startpage=n/a&desc=Route+55+extension+may+get+big+backer|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 30, 2013}}</ref>

However, all of these efforts faced considerable environmental opposition, which has been successful in blocking these plans, which were estimated to cost as much as $2&nbsp;billion.<ref name=nyt3/><ref name=tjs>{{cite web|access-date=December 30, 2009|last=Jewell|first=Douglas|title=Election Time means …the Route&nbsp;55 Extension is back on the table|work=The Jersey Sierran|publisher=[[Sierra Club]]|date=October–December 2009|url=http://newjersey.sierraclub.org/njs_sierran/Sierran_09D_Supplement.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720204054/http://newjersey.sierraclub.org/njs_sierran/Sierran_09D_Supplement.pdf|archive-date=July 20, 2011}}</ref>

==Public transportation==
[[Image:Alt 55.jpg|thumb|right|alt=A green sign along a road lined with trees and power lines reading alt route to Route&nbsp;55 with an arrow pointing to the left|A sign on [[U.S. Route 9 in New Jersey|US&nbsp;9]] in [[Cape May County, New Jersey|Cape May County]] designating an alternate route to Route&nbsp;55]]

In 1975, the [[Delaware River Port Authority]] (DRPA) proposed that a [[Port Authority Transit Corporation]] (PATCO) rail line be added along the median of Route&nbsp;55 between Deptford and Glassboro; however, plans were canceled.<ref name=drpa1975>{{cite book|title=Mass Transportation Development Program|publisher=[[Delaware River Port Authority]] and [[Urban Mass Transportation Administration]] |year=1975}}</ref> In the 2000s, another proposal resurfaced to add a PATCO line along the Route&nbsp;55 corridor. The alternative called for [[park and ride]] lots to be constructed along the Route&nbsp;55 corridor, providing access to the line. Phase&nbsp;I would have run to Glassboro ([[Rowan University]]) and Phase&nbsp;II would have extended down to the Millville area and service the Cumberland Mall area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj3.org/map.html|title=Patco Proposal for Route&nbsp;55|publisher=Residents for NJ-3|access-date=December 19, 2009}}</ref>

New Jersey Governor [[Jon Corzine|Jon S. Corzine]] and the DRPA announced a comprehensive transportation plan for South Jersey on May&nbsp;12,&nbsp;2009.<ref name=drpa>{{cite web|url=http://www.drpa.org/projects/regtran/|title=Regional Transportation & Economic Development Initiative|publisher=[[Delaware River Port Authority]]|access-date=June 19, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326154621/http://drpa.org/projects/regtran/|archive-date=March 26, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> This plan would introduce express bus service along the Route&nbsp;55 freeway and the adjacent Route&nbsp;42 freeway. It would also include a diesel [[light rail]] line called the [[Glassboro–Camden Line]] between Camden and Glassboro via Woodbury over an existing railroad right-of-way (as opposed to the expanded PATCO line via Route&nbsp;55), improvements to [[NJ Transit]]'s [[Atlantic City Line]], and enhanced connections to the [[Atlantic City International Airport]].<ref name=drpa2>{{cite press release |title=Light Rail Extension Moves Forward – Gov Corzine Supports Multimodal Regional Initiative To Boost Mobility & Economic Development |url=http://www.drpa.org/content.asp?page=News&param=2&ItemNumber=3077 |publisher=Delaware River Port Authority |date=May 12, 2009 |access-date=June 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128150614/http://www.drpa.org/content.asp?page=News&param=2&ItemNumber=3077 |archive-date=January 28, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Exit list==
Exit numbers are based on the originally planned terminus of Route 55 in Cape May County, a distance of approximately {{convert|20|mi|km}}.
{{jcttop|exit|state=NJ|length_ref=<ref name="sld"/>}}
{{NJint|exit
|county=Cumberland
|cspan=8
|location=Maurice River Township
|lspan=2
|mile=20.00
|road={{jct|state=NJ|NJ|47|name1=Delsea Drive|city1=Port Elizabeth|city2=Wildwood|city3=Cape May}}
|notes=Southern terminus; [[at-grade intersection]]
}}
{{NJint|exit
|mile=21.49
|exit=21
|type=incomplete
|road=Schooner Landing Road
|notes=Southbound exit and northbound entrance
}}
{{NJint|exit
|location=Millville
|mile=24.59
|exit=24
|road={{jct|state=NJ|NJ|49|city1=Millville|city2=Bridgeton}}
|notes=
}}
{{NJint|exit
|location=Vineland
|mile=26.88
|exit=26
|road={{jct|state=NJ|CR|555|city1=Vineland|city2=Buena}}
|notes=
}}
{{NJint|exit
|location=Millville
|mile=27.79
|exit=27
|road={{jct|state=NJ|NJ|47|city1=Vineland|city2=Millville}}
|notes=
}}
{{NJint|exit
|location=Vineland
|lspan=3
|mile=29.75
|exit=29
|road={{jct|state=NJ|CR|552|city1=Bridgeton|city2=South Vineland}}
|notes=
}}
{{NJint|exit
|mile=32.69
|exit=32
|road={{jct|state=NJ|NJ|56|city1=Vineland|city2=Rosenhayn}}
|notes=Signed as exits 32A (east) and 32B (west)
}}
{{NJint|exit
|mile=35.01
|exit=35
|road={{jctname|state=NJ|CR|674|county1=Cumberland|noshield1=yes|name1=Garden Road|city1=Brotmanville|city2=North Vineland}}
|notes=Signed as exits 35A (east) and 35B (west) southbound
}}
{{jctco|state=NJ|county=Salem}}
{{NJint|exit
|county=Gloucester
|cspan=9
|location=Franklin Township
|ctdab=Gloucester
|lspan=2
|mile=39.36
|exit=39
|road={{jct|state=NJ|US|40|city1=Malaga|city2=Elmer}}
|notes=Signed as exits 39A (east) and 39B (west)
}}
{{NJint|exit
|mile=43.50
|exit=43
|road={{jct|state=NJ|road|Little Mill Road|city1=Franklinville|city2=Clayton}}
|notes=
}}
{{NJint|exit
|location=Elk Township
|mile=45.36
|exit=45
|road={{jct|state=NJ|CR|553|city1=Centerton|countydab1=Salem|city2=Clayton|city3=Glassboro}}
|notes=
}}
{{NJint|exit
|location=Glassboro
|mile=48.84
|exit=48
|road={{jct|state=NJ|CR|641|county1=Gloucester|city1=Ferrell|city2=Glassboro}}
|notes=
}}
{{NJint|exit
|location=Harrison Township
|mile=50.50
|exit=50
|road={{jct|state=NJ|US|322|name1={{jct|state=NJ|CR|536|noshield1=yes}}|city1=Glassboro|city2=Richwood|city3=Mullica Hill}}
|notes=Signed as exits 50A (east) and 50B (west)
}}
{{NJint|exit
|location=Mantua Township
|mile=53.48
|exit=53
|road={{jct|state=NJ|CR|553|city1=Pitman|city2=Glassboro|city3=Wenonah|city4=Woodbury Heights}}
|notes=Signed as exits 53A (south) and 53B (north) southbound
}}
{{NJint|exit
|location=Deptford Township
|lspan=3
|mile=56.37
|exit=56
|road={{jct|state=NJ|NJ|47|to2=to|NJ|41|city1=Washington Township|countydab1=Gloucester|city2=Glassboro|city3=Woodbury|city4=Westville}}
|notes=Signed as exits 56A (south) and 56B (north)
}}
{{NJint|exit
|mile=58.90
|exit=58
|road={{jct|state=NJ|to1=to|CR|621|county1=Gloucester|city1=Deptford Township|city2=Almonesson}}
|notes=Access via Deptford Center Road
}}
{{NJint|exit
|mile=60.54
|type=
|road={{jct|state=NJ|NJ|42|dir1=north|to2=to|I|76|dir2=west|city1=Camden|location2=[[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]]}}
|notes=Northern terminus; exit 13 on Route 42
}}
{{jctbtm|exit|keys=incomplete}}

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

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|New Jersey Route 55}}
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
*[http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/nj/nj_55/ New Jersey Roads: Route&nbsp;55]
*[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/traffic_orders/speed/rt55.shtm Speed Limits for Route&nbsp;55]
*[http://www.phillyroads.com/roads/NJ-55/ PhillyRoads.com - New Jersey Route&nbsp;55]

{{good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:New Jersey Route 055}}
[[Category:State highways in New Jersey|055]]
[[Category:Limited-access roads in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Transportation in Cumberland County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Transportation in Gloucester County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Freeways in the United States]]