Trenton Freeway

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It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into U.S. Route 1 in New Jersey. (Discuss)

The Trenton Freeway, a freeway through the city of Trenton, New Jersey, was built in the 1950s; the entire length of the first 5.5-mile (8.8 km) segment of the freeway was completed in 1967. When it was first constructed, the freeway's route number designation was Route 174. The original freeway only extended up to Whitehead Road in Lawrence Township. In 1967, the New Jersey Department of Transportation recommended an extension of the freeway from Whitehead Road to the traffic light at Bakers Basin Road and Franklin Corner Road. Once the 1.5 mile extension was completed, the route number was then changed to U.S. Route 1. The former alignment of U.S. 1 along surface streets in Trenton was renumbered U.S. Route 1 Business.

During the development of the Interstate Highway System, New Jersey and Pennsylvania considered having Interstate 95 cross over the Trenton-Morrisville Toll Bridge, and continue north on the existing U.S. 1. The project was opposed due to inadequate highway standards (lack of shoulder ramps, and only a mere two lanes in each direction). During this time, both states sought alternate routes for the proposed I-95. In 1960, New Jersey and Pennsylvania decided to designate the Scudder Falls Bridge as I-95.