Editing New Jersey Route 27 (section)

==Route description==

===Mercer County===
[[File:2017-09-12 15 36 05 View north along New Jersey State Route&nbsp;27 (Nassau Street) at University Place and Bank Street in Princeton, Mercer County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|left|Route&nbsp;27 on Nassau Street in Princeton]]
Route&nbsp;27 begins at a traffic light with [[U.S. Route 206|US&nbsp;206]] in Downtown [[Princeton, New Jersey|Princeton]], Mercer County. The route heads northeast along Nassau Street, the main street of Princeton that runs along the northern edge of [[Princeton University]] and is lined with numerous shops and restaurants.<ref name=gm>{{google maps |url=https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=RT-27+%26+Mercer+St,+Princeton,+Mercer,+New+Jersey&daddr=Route+27%2FRT-27+to:RT-27%2FSomerset+St+to:RT-27+to:RT-27%2FSt+George+Ave%2FE+St+Georges+Ave+to:40.688709,-74.20372+to:poinier+street+and+broad+street+newark,+nj&hl=en&geocode=%3BFSCxaAIdouiN-w%3BFbStaQIdvnWP-w%3BFXRGawIdMjaS-w%3BFShQbAIdWj-T-w%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=5&sz=12&via=1,2,3,4,5&sll=40.67517,-74.199944&sspn=0.115349,0.219727&ie=UTF8&ll=40.551374,-74.437866&spn=0.462248,0.878906&t=h&z=10 |title=Overview of New Jersey Route&nbsp;27 |access-date=2008-12-14}}</ref> This portion of Route&nbsp;27 sees between 10,000 and 20,000&nbsp;cars a day.<ref name=SLD/> Just past the beginning of Route&nbsp;27, [[County Route 583 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;583]] heads to the southwest on Mercer Street. Route&nbsp;27 moves through downtown Princeton, passing by the main gates to Princeton University near [[Nassau Hall]], and intersecting with Washington Road ([[County Route 526 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;526]]/[[County Route 571 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;571]]). After leaving the downtown area, Route&nbsp;27 continues through residential areas and the route becomes unnamed. Route&nbsp;27 runs parallel to [[Lake Carnegie (New Jersey)|Carnegie Lake]], then crosses over the [[Millstone River]] just north of the historic [[Kingston Bridge (Kingston, New Jersey)|Kingston Bridge]].<ref name=SLD/><ref name=gm/> The portion of the road from Princeton to Kingston is part of the [[King's Highway Historic District (New Jersey)|King's Highway Historic District]].<ref name=gm/>

===Middlesex–Somerset county line===
Upon crossing the Millstone River, Route&nbsp;27 runs along the border of [[Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey|Franklin Township]], Somerset County, to the west and [[South Brunswick, New Jersey|South Brunswick]], Middlesex County, to the east, passing through the historic community of [[Kingston, New Jersey|Kingston]]. It continues northeast through a mix of woodland and residences, intersecting with Promenade Boulevard, which heads east and becomes [[County Route 522 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;522]] after crossing [[U.S. Route 1 in New Jersey|US&nbsp;1]]. Route&nbsp;27 briefly runs entirely into Somerset County before resuming along the Middlesex–Somerset county line. The route continues north to an intersection of Gateway Boulevard ([[County Route 518 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;518]]), where it resumes its northeast direction and heads into [[Kendall Park, New Jersey|Kendall Park]] as a variable two- to four-lane road, entering denser suburban development. In Kendall Park, the road passes northwest of a [[park and ride]] lot located at a shopping center.<ref name=SLD/><ref name=gm/> Route&nbsp;27 then passes through [[Franklin Park, New Jersey|Franklin Park]], intersecting with Henderson Road ([[County Route 610 (Middlesex County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;610]]). Past that intersection, Route&nbsp;27 forms the border of Franklin Township to the west and [[North Brunswick, New Jersey|North Brunswick]] to the east, passing through suburban development with some areas of farmland, seeing about 38,487&nbsp;cars a day.<ref name=SLD/><ref name=gm/> The road forms the border of Franklin Township and [[New Brunswick, New Jersey|New Brunswick]] upon intersecting with How Lane ([[County Route 680 (Middlesex County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;680]]) becoming four-lane Somerset Street. Route&nbsp;27 follows Somerset Street northeast through residential and commercial areas, passing by the community of [[Somerset, New Jersey|Somerset]] on the west side of the road.<ref name=SLD/><ref name=gm/>

===Middlesex County===
[[File:NJ 27 SB past NJ 18-CR&nbsp;514.jpg|right|thumb|Route&nbsp;27 southbound past Route&nbsp;18 and CR&nbsp;514 in New Brunswick]]
The route splits from Somerset Street and heads entirely into New Brunswick, Middlesex County, along French Street. At the intersection of Sandford Street, Route&nbsp;27 becomes a county-maintained road that is also signed as CR&nbsp;644. It then intersects with Jersey Avenue ([[County Route 693 (Middlesex County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;693]]), which heads to the southwest to become [[New Jersey Route 91|Route&nbsp;91]]. Past this intersection, the route becomes a two-lane street that heads into Downtown New Brunswick, south of the main campus of [[Rutgers University-New Brunswick|Rutgers University]]. Here, the route has a daily traffic count of approximately 11,559&nbsp;vehicles. It crosses under [[Amtrak]]'s [[Northeast Corridor]] rail line next to the [[New Brunswick station]] serving Amtrak and [[NJ Transit]]'s [[Northeast Corridor Line]].<ref name=SLD/><ref name=gm/> The route turns into a four-lane [[Dual carriageway|divided highway]] and intersects with Easton Avenue ([[County Route 527 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;527]]). At this point, CR&nbsp;644 ends, and Route&nbsp;27 forms a brief [[Concurrency (road)|concurrency]] with CR&nbsp;527, heading east along Albany Street as a city-maintained street. About {{convert|200|yd|m}} later, the road crosses George Street, which heads to the north as [[County Route 672 (Middlesex County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;672]] and to the south as [[New Jersey Route 171|Route&nbsp;171]]. CR&nbsp;527 splits from Albany Street by heading south on Route&nbsp;171 while Route&nbsp;27 continues east. After another {{convert|0.2|mi|m}}, Route&nbsp;27 intersects Johnson Drive ([[County Route 514 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;514]]). Route&nbsp;27 continues along Albany Street as a concurrency with CR&nbsp;514. It immediately intersects [[New Jersey Route 18|Route&nbsp;18]]. At the interchange with Route&nbsp;18, Route&nbsp;27 becomes state-maintained again, crossing the [[Raritan River]] on the [[Albany Street Bridge]] into [[Highland Park, New Jersey|Highland Park]].<ref name=SLD/>

Upon entering Highland Park, Route&nbsp;27 becomes two-lane Raritan Avenue, intersecting with River Road ([[County Route 622 (Middlesex County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;622]]) and continuing through the downtown area of Highland Park. CR&nbsp;514 splits from Route&nbsp;27 by heading east on Woodbridge Avenue {{convert|0.7|mi|km|abbr=on}} later.<ref name=SLD/> Route&nbsp;27 resumes heading northeast past this intersection as a four-lane road that passes by homes, entering [[Edison, New Jersey|Edison]], where the name changes to [[Lincoln Highway]]. The route continues northeast, intersecting with Suttons Lane/Duclos Lane ([[County Route 676 (Middlesex County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;676]]) and Plainfield Avenue ([[County Route 529 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;529]]), then travels through a mix of residences and businesses, briefly becoming a divided highway before intersecting [[Interstate 287|I-287]] at a partial interchange with access to southbound I-287 and from northbound I-287.<ref name=SLD/><ref name=gm/> At this interchange, Route&nbsp;27 sees approximately 14,386&nbsp;cars a day.<ref name=SLD/> Beyond this interchange, Route&nbsp;27 crosses into [[Metuchen, New Jersey|Metuchen]] and becomes two-lane Essex Avenue, which turns to the east and heads through residential areas.<ref name=gm/> The route turns north onto Lake Avenue and intersects with Amboy Avenue ([[County Route 501 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;501]]). Route&nbsp;27 forms a concurrency with that route. It passes under the Northeast Corridor and comes to Middlesex Avenue, where CR&nbsp;501 turns to the left and Route&nbsp;27 turns to the right to resume its northeast direction.<ref name=SLD/>
[[File:2021-08-26 11 12 41 View north along New Jersey State Route&nbsp;27 (Lincoln Highway) from the overpass for Middlesex County Route 650 (New Dover Road) in Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey.jpg|left|thumb|Route&nbsp;27 northbound at CR&nbsp;650 (New Dover Road) in Woodbridge Township, running parallel to the Northeast Corridor rail line]]
Route&nbsp;27 intersects with Main Street ([[County Route 531 (New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;531]]) after {{convert|0.2|mi|km}} and continues northeast on Middlesex Avenue, passing through a residential environment where the route carries about 22,414&nbsp;vehicles daily.<ref name=SLD/><ref name=gm/> The road comes to a bridge over [[Conrail Shared Assets Operations]]' (CSAO) [[Port Reading Secondary]] line. The route crosses back into Edison and becomes Lincoln Highway again, passing over the [[Rahway River]].<ref name=SLD/> It heads through business areas and passes near the [[Thomas Alva Edison Memorial Tower and Museum]], which is located on the site of [[Thomas Edison]]'s Menlo Park laboratory.<ref name=gm/> The route closely parallels the Northeast Corridor rail line and crosses into [[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge Township]], widening to four lanes at this point. Route&nbsp;27 passes by the [[Metropark station]] serving Amtrak and NJ Transit trains and has an interchange with the [[Garden State Parkway]] near [[Iselin, New Jersey|Iselin]], where approximately 19,780&nbsp;vehicles travel on Route&nbsp;27 on a daily basis.<ref name=SLD/> Past the Garden State Parkway, Route&nbsp;27 narrows back to two lanes and continues northeast alongside the Northeast Corridor, passing through a mix of residential and commercial development as a three-lane road with two northbound lanes and one southbound lane.<ref name=gm/>

===Union and Essex counties===
Route&nbsp;27 crosses into [[Rahway, New Jersey|Rahway]], Union County, and intersects with the northern terminus of [[New Jersey Route 35|Route&nbsp;35]], where that route heads south on St. Georges Avenue. Route&nbsp;27 continues north using four-lane St. Georges Avenue.<ref name=SLD/> The route passes through Rahway, passing by residences and businesses.<ref name=gm/> In Rahway, the route sees about 25,022&nbsp;cars a day. It continues northeast, intersecting multiple streets, such as West Inman Avenue ([[County Route 602 (Union County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;602]]), West Hazelwood Avenue ([[County Route 621 (Union County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;621]]), West Milton Avenue ([[County Route 648 (Union County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;648]]), and Westfield Avenue/West Grand Avenue ([[County Route 613 (Union County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;613]]). The route crosses into [[Linden, New Jersey|Linden]] when passing the intersection of Stuart Place, where the route heads through a more commercial setting with businesses lining both sides of the road. In Linden, the road intersects with North Stiles Street ([[County Route  615 (Union County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;615]]). At the intersection of Wood Avenue ([[County Route 617 (Union County, New Jersey)|CR&nbsp;617]]), Route&nbsp;27 forms the border of [[Roselle, New Jersey|Roselle]] to the west and Linden to the east, and about 23,081&nbsp;vehicles use the road on a daily basis. The route crosses the inactive [[Rahway Valley Railroad]] line that is owned by the [[Staten Island Railway]]. It passes by Warinaco Park and forms the border between [[Elizabeth, New Jersey|Elizabeth]] to the west and Linden to the east before entirely entering Elizabeth at the intersection of Richford Terrace.<ref name=SLD/><ref name=gm/>

[[File:NJ 27 in Newark.jpg|right|thumb|The first [[reassurance shield]] on Route&nbsp;27 in Newark]]
In Elizabeth, Route&nbsp;27 narrows to two lanes and becomes Rahway Avenue, crossing the intersection of South Elmora Avenue ([[New Jersey Route 439|Route&nbsp;439]]) and continuing to the northeast through residential and commercial areas. Route&nbsp;27 splits into a [[one-way pair]] with northbound Route&nbsp;27 following Rahway Avenue east and turning north onto Cherry Street and southbound Route&nbsp;27 following Westfield Avenue west and turning south onto Chilton Street.<ref name=SLD/><ref name=gm/> The southbound direction of Route&nbsp;27 intersects with the eastern terminus of [[New Jersey Route 28|Route&nbsp;28]], where that route continues west on Westfield Avenue.<ref name=27ZSLD>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000027Z_-.pdf|title=Route&nbsp;27 Z straight line diagram|publisher=[[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]|access-date=2008-12-15}}</ref> Past the one-way pair, Route&nbsp;27 resumes east on four-lane Westfield Avenue, turning north onto Broad Street. The route heads into a more urbanized setting and continues northeast onto Newark Avenue, intersecting with the northern terminus of Route&nbsp;439, where that route heads west on North Avenue. Through Elizabeth, about 10,000 to 20,000&nbsp;vehicles travel on Route&nbsp;27 every day.<ref name=SLD/>

Route&nbsp;27 crosses into [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]], Essex County, at the intersection of Virginia Street, where it becomes Frelinghuysen Avenue, a road that heads north through the [[Dayton, Newark, New Jersey|Dayton]] neighborhood of Newark, passing through urban areas and by [[Weequahic Park]].<ref name=SLD/><ref name=gm/> Route&nbsp;27 interchanges with [[U.S. Route 22 in New Jersey|US&nbsp;22]] and immediately passes under [[Interstate 78 in New Jersey|I-78]]. Route&nbsp;27 continues north, passing under railroad tracks carrying CSAO's [[Lehigh Line (Conrail)|Lehigh Line]] and NJ Transit's [[Raritan Valley Line]] and crossing CSAO's Poinier Street Lead line/Irvington-Hillside Industrial Branch at-grade, before it comes to an intersection of Poinier Street, where the route heads east along that road to its northern terminus at an interchange with McCarter Highway ([[New Jersey Route 21|Route&nbsp;21]]) and Broad Street.<ref name=SLD/>