Pictures of the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21)

McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) Northbound

McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) Southbound

This is the beginning of the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) southbound in Clifton. This is the beginning of the new extension, which connects the existing McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) in Passaic to McLean Boulevard (US 46) in Clifton. This extension was originally planned to continue north on the east bank of the Passaic River and connect directly to the Bergen-Passaic Expressway (I-80), but due to community opposition, this truncated west bank version was constructed instead and finally opened late in 2000. The current connection to the Bergen-Passaic Expressway is formed via McLean Boulevard (US 46 and NJ 20). Filmed July 24, 2001.

This is the beginning of the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) northbound in Newark. Here, the undivided McCarter Highway through Newark becomes a full freeway. For a short section it follows the original alignment of the McCarter Highway, but they then separate and the old McCarter Highway ends soon thereafter, leaving the McCarter Freeway (its replacement) to continue north. The freeway was planned to extend further south and completely replace the old McCarter Highway, but this was blocked by community opposition and high condemnation and construction costs. However, a current proposal by NJDOT may involve a limited extension of the McCarter Freeway south to the Essex Freeway (I-280). Visible on the right is an old sign for Exit 4, which has been closed due to safety concerns. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) southbound north of Exit 12(Dayton Avenue, Monroe Street, Passaic) in Passaic. One of the few remaining sections of the Dundee Canal is visible on the far right here. Most of the canal was buried under the freeway. Filmed July 24, 2001.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) northbound south of Exit 4(Chester Avenue, Riverside Avenue) in Newark. This is the beginning of the first double-decked section, which was necessary to build the freeway in the limited alignment of the old McCarter Highway. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) southbound south of Exit 12(Dayton Avenue, Monroe Street, Passaic) in Passaic. This is the end of the new extension. Filmed July 24, 2001.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) northbound just south of Exit 4(Chester Avenue, Riverside Avenue) in Newark. As is visible, this first double-decked section is rather long, extending about a half mile. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) southbound north of Exit 11(Main Avenue, Passaic) in Passaic. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) northbound at Exit 4(Chester Avenue, Riverside Avenue) in Newark. Exit 4 once exited here on the left, and this photo shows the danger of this now closed ramp. This is the end of the first double-decked section. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) southbound south of Exit 10(Passaic Park, Clifton, Rutherford) in Passaic. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) northbound at Exit 5(Grafton Avenue, Mill Street, North Newark) in Newark. Like Exit 4, Exit 5 is also a left exit, but it does at least feature a deceleration lane, and hasn't been closed. This is also the beginning of the second (and much shorter) double-decked section. The old McCarter Highway leaves the same alignment as the freeway here as the freeway curves further east to hug the Passaic River bank. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) southbound north of Exit 9(NJ 3, Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel) in Clifton. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) northbound just south of Exit 6(NJ 7, Belleville, North Arlington) in Belleville Township. The Passaic River is visible on the right. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) southbound just north of Exit 9(NJ 3, Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel) in Clifton. Due to limited space, parallel River Road was partially cantilevered over the freeway here. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) northbound just north of Exit 6(NJ 7, Belleville, North Arlington) in Belleville Township. The Passaic River is still visible on the right. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) southbound at Exit 9(NJ 3, Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel) in Clifton. The sprawling interchange between the Secaucus Bypass (NJ 3) and the McCarter Freeway is visible here. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) northbound at Exit 8(Nutley, Lyndhurst) in Nutley Township. Note the "Curves / Slippery When Wet" sign above. Most of the McCarter Freeway was built completely parallel to the Passaic River, and is full of small curves. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) southbound at Exit 7(Main Street, Belleville) in Belleville Township. Note the "Curves / Slippery When Wet" sign above. Most of the freeway was built on the Passaic River west bank and follows its curves completely, thus resulting in a freeway with more curves than is safe. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) northbound at Exit 10(River Road South, Clifton, Passaic Park, Rutherford) in Clifton. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) southbound north of Exit 5(Mill Street, Belleville, North Newark) in Belleville Township. The Passaic River is visible on the left. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) northbound at Exit 11(River Drive, State Street, Passaic) in Passaic. This section of the freeway is trenched, and the yellow paint is apparently a safety measure for night drivers. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) southbound south of Exit 5(Mill Street, Belleville, North Newark) in Newark. This section is the first short double-decked section; the northbound roadway is underneath the southbound roadway here while they pass under the railroad ahead. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) northbound north of Exit 11(River Drive, State Street, Passaic) in Passaic. This section was designed for 6 lanes, but is striped as 4 because of the approaching new extension, which was built with only 4 lanes due to community opposition. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) southbound at Exit 4(Chester Avenue, Riverside Avenue) in Newark. Exit 4 on the northbound roadway was closed due to safety concerns, leaving only the southbound Exit 4 seen here. The old McCarter Highway also joins the newer freeway alignment here. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) northbound at Exit 12(Market Street, Monroe Street, Passaic) in Passaic. This is the beginning of the new extension, and was opened in late 2000. Before that time, traffic was directed to Monroe Street. Filmed July 24, 2001.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) southbound south of Exit 4(Chester Avenue, Riverside Avenue) in Newark. This is the second double-decked section; for approximately one-half mile, the northbound lanes are under the southbound lanes. The skyline of downtown Newark is visible ahead on the left. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) northbound at Exit 13(Ackerman Avenue, Botany Village, Garfield) in Clifton. This section was built partially over the old Dundee Canal. Filmed July 24, 2001.

This is the end of the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) southbound in Newark. The freeway riverts to the old McCarter Highway here, which continues south through Newark to the Pulaski Skyway Approach (US 1&9). Once planned to continue south, the freeway through downtown Newark was cancelled due to high condemnation and construction costs, reasons for which are clearly visible here. However, an NJDOT proposal currently in the works may include a limited extension of the McCarter Freeway south to the Essex Freeway (I-280). This possibility is still many years away even if it is planned. Filmed August 24, 2000.

This is the end of the McCarter Freeway (NJ 21) northbound at McLean Boulevard (US 46) in Clifton. The freeway was originally planned to continue north on the other side of the Passaic River and connect directly to the Bergen-Passaic Expressway (I-80). Due to community opposition, traffic instead is forced to continue north via McLean Boulevard (US 46 and NJ 20) to the Bergen-Passaic Expressway. Filmed July 24, 2001.

Connecting Pictures
NJ 3

Other Pictures
Chris Mason's Pictures (road trip)
Chris Mason's Pictures (route endings)
Douglas Kerr's Pictures

pictures / map / exit list / article (Steve Anderson)
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