History: Call for Network of Stone Roads in New Jersey (1899)

The 21 Sep 1899 edition of The Matawan Journal included a lengthy front page article discussing The Red Bank Register's call for a network of county stone roads to facilitate both commerce and recreational travel. Cars were becoming more popular, so people needed roadways spanning the state, as well as local roads connecting to these arteries. Construction costs would be shared between the state, county and local governments, but the roads would eventually be managed by the state.

• Red Bank to Eatontown (this year, to complete route to Belmar)
• Belmar to New Brunswick (2 sections need to be completed next year)
• Atlantic Highlands to Matawan (next year?)
• Oceanic to Red Bank (next year?)
• Belmar along the coast to Atlantic City (a few miles each year)
• Atlantic City to Cape May (existing)
• Two northbound routes from New Brunswick
• A major north-south route is underway in the western part of the state
• A major north-south route is underway in the central part of the state
• Asbury Park to Freehold (future, after shore road completed)
• Shrewsbury to Freehold (future, after shore road completed)
• Matawan to Freehold (future, after shore road completed)
• Eatontown to Tinton Falls (future, to complete E-W route to shore)
• Freehold southwest, west and northwest to major road in western part of the state
• Oceanic bridge to Atlantic Highlands (planned)
• Matawan to Old Bridge (planned)
• Old Bridge to New Brunswick (completed)