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http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924024404778
Report of the Interurban Committee
ON
Streets and Highways
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THt NEW.^ : CITY PLAN COMMISSION
MAP or 1 Hi:
METf >OLITAN DISTRICT
SHOWING
INTERCOMMUNH* RADIAL THOROUGHFARES
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Scale r 2000'
KEY
60 feet wide or over
Less than 60 feet wide
THE NEWARK CITY PLAN COMMISSION
SKELETON MAP OF THE
METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
SHOWING
INTERCOMMUNITY RADIAL THOROUGHFARES
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Conference on Inter-Urban Improvement 11
Radial Thoroughfares
As far back as 1705 we find a well defined plan for highways
leading from Newark west to the first mountain. At this time
the authorities of the Town of Newark, which town then
extended over this entire area, laid out a system of 8 tolO roads
in which are included our present South Orange Avenue, Warren
Street, Main Street, Valley Road and others. From time to
time these larger highways were improved so that in 1870 there
were at least seven of them leading from Newark each of which
was 75 feet or more in width. This forethought on the part of
our ancestors is responsible for our most excellent present
system of radial thoroughfares.
In all of this great radial system nowhere do we find a width
of less than 60 feet. But few suggestions are necessary to
improve this. One of the most needed changes is probably the
extension of Clinton Avenue in Newark southwest from its
intersection with the Manufacturers' Branch of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad. Another piroblem involves the development of
radial connections to and from each of the 15 or more smaller
municipalities. These are shown on Map 5.
The extension of Clinton Avenue in the manner suggested
above is a highly important consideration. For a few short
blocks it would involve the destruction of a number of inexpen-
sive structures but otherwise would necessitate only the cost
incidental to the condemnation of the needed land. South of
Clinton Avenue and west of Elizabeth Avenue lies a vast area,
as yet only partially developed and through which no radial
thoroughfares run, and where the street system has not been
extensively planned. A large radial thoroughfare through this
district,- as suggested, would immediately open up a territory
well suited for residential purposes, and if postponed for any
considerable length of time its accomplishment will be impossi-
ble by reason of excessive cost.
One more suggested extension of the present radial system
is that of Washington Avenue north from Kingsland Street, at
the Passaic County line, to Franklin Avenue. This improve-
ment would extend through as yet undeveloped territory and
eliminate the dead end of what is now one of the finest of all the
radial thorpughfares. The improvement would open up a
direct through route to Passaic and Paterson.
Maps 12 and 24 show the individual radial system of the
numerous municipalities each of which has been developed quite
considerably. There are many ways in which these various
individual systems could be extended and united in a general
12 Conference on Inter-Urban Improvement
plan. Map 7 shows where these improvements could best be
made. Amongst others, those which seem to be important are
the extension of Ridgewood Avenue in Glen Ridge north of
Bellevue Avenue, the extension of Broad Street from its
intersection with Watchung Avenue, north to Bellevue Avenue,
the extension of Watchung Avenue in Glen Ridge east to Centre
Street in Nutley, and the extension of Centre Street, at its
intersection with Washington Avenue in Nutley, east to Park
Avenue, etc.
Between the Metropolitan District and New York there
are but two highways, the Plank Road and the Turnpike, each of
which leads to Exchange Place, Jersey City, where ferries run to
Cortlandt Street, New York. At least one more connection
should be created between these two metropolii. A suggestion
is shown on Map 25. This would create a new and direct route
to 42nd Street, New York, by building a road northeast from the
Belleville Bridge through Kearny and across the meadows to
Secaucus making a connection there with the Paterson Plank
Road. It is estimated that this connection would save any-
where from three to five miles to all residents of the Metropoli-
tan District wishing to reach the 42nd Street ferries. A further
suggestion in the development of the much needed inter-
communal radials is the building of a bridge over the Passaic
River from Elwood Avenue, Newark, to Quincy Avenue,
Kearny, and the extension of Quincy Avenue to the Belleville
Turnpike. This would make possible a quicker and shorter
route for all residents of North Newark, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge
and Montclair to the Cortlandt Street connection. It is
estimated that this route would save from one to two miles for
those using it.
There are many further considerations which will more
properly be discussed under the several community studies '
below.
The Rectangular Street System
Considering the street system of the Metropolitan area as a
unit, it will be observed that many of the large thoroughfares
run either directly north and south or east and west, and the
majority of the smaller streets as a result, follow the same general
direction. This is undoubtedly due to the fact that these
thoroughfare^ originally were established parallel with and at
right angles tothe physical boundaries of the district, Passaic
River and the Orange Mountains, both of which run north and
south. These larger streets are placed at surprisingly regular
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the courtesy of H. B. Kummel, State Geologist.
THE NEWARK CITY PLAN COMMISSION
MAP OF THE
METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
SHOWING
PRINCIPAL RECTANGULAR SYSTEM
WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Scale 1 2000'
KEY
Existing Highways 60 feet wide or over ^— — ^— —
Existing Highways less than 60 feet wide
Proposed Extensions
THE NEWARK CITY PLAN COMMISSION
MAP or THE
METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
SHOWING
PRINCIPAL RECTANGULAR SYSTEM
WITH SUGGESTION FOR IMPROVEMENT
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Map No. 18
34 Conference on Inter-Urban Improvement
Montclair
The street system of Montclair is built about such large
radial and inter-community streets as Bloomfield Avenue,
Claremont Avenue, Valley Road and Harrison Avenue, Orange,
Elm and Grove Streets. These together with a mmiber of other
large local thoroughfares constitute an excellent system. Few
improvements are necessary within the locality to complete
highways which affect the district in general. Claremont
Avenue from Valley Road to Forest Street is but fifty feet wide
and Valley Road from Church Street to Central Avenue is of
the same width. It would seem wise to increase the width of
these two streets to at least 75 feet throughout their length.
While the local street system is generally rectangular, it has
been departed from quite successfully in numerous instances.
In view of the large amount of vacant land to the north, a plan
should sooner or later be devised by which the city can continue
to grow in a manner comparable with its present system and in
harmony therewith.
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Map No. 19
36 Conference on Inter-Urban Improvement
Newark
With regard to the MetropoUtan District, Newark's radial
system is all that could be desired and, generally speaking, its
rectangular system is also very well developed. The City Plan
Commission has already recommended numerous changes in the
street system within the city which would tend to perfect it in
the best possible manner. ' The most important suggestions in
connection with this g;eneral plan of improvement are the
straightening and widening of Washington Street and extension
of Frelinghuysen Avenue to Clinton Avenue where it would
connect with Washington Street; the connection of Belmont
Avenue and Norfolk Street between South Orange Avenue and
Springfield Avenue, and the extension of Belmont Avenue from
Hawthorne Avenue south to meet Elizabeth Avenue; the
development of North 9th Street and South 10th Street into a
through cross-town boulevard and the widening and removal of
jogs on such thoroughfares in the Vailsburg district as East
Orange and Irvington may see fit themselves to develop. This
will probably include Sanford Avenue, Stuyvesant Avenue,
Munn Avenue and Grove Street. The above mentioned
thoroughfares together with Broad Street, Mulberry Street and
such extensions as may be made in the meadow district will
create a number of excellent north and south highways. East
and west streets do not generally necessitate as much improve-
ment. Among the suggestions already made for these streets
are the extension of Elwood Avenue and the building of a bridge
over the Passaic River, the extension of Central Avenue to the
Market Street Station, the straightening of Lafayette Street to
connect with William Street, the extension of 16th and 18th
Avenues and extensions to the east of all the large east and west
streets which now terminate at the meadows.
In the meadow district, Newark and Elizabeth, either
jointly or separately, should at once devise a plan for a street
system. This vast area, containing in Newark alone some 8000
acres, cannot possibly grow in a healthy manner unless some
pre-arranged plan has been prepared. Upon these meadows
several streets are now being opened and before further attempts
are made to fill in and open up this area, it should first be the
duty of the city authorities to prepare a plan and follow it.
It is pleasing to note in a large city like Newark that of all
its large highways not one has been built under 60 feet wide. It
would be difficult to estimate the huge expenditures which have
thus been saved.
RADIAL THOR0U6HFARES
60' tl.da or Ortt
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Map No. 20
38 Conference on Inter-Urban Improvement
The attention of the Park and Playground Committee is
called to the situation of Riverside Avenue and Passaic Street^
which, being so close to the river, afford possibilities for an
excellent boulevard. The continuation of Passaic Street
through Mt. Pleasant cemetery to coniiect with Riverside
Avenue is an improvement to which attention is called and one
which would be necessary should an attempt be made to provide
parking and boulevard facilities here. One further suggestion
is that 12th Avenue be extended west from 12th Street to con-
nect with Rhode Island Avenue in East Orange. No means of
communication is possible in this direction, between Central
Avenue and South Orange Avenue, which are here fully three-
fifths of a mile apart. This is too long a distance without a
street. The difficulty encountered is that it would necessitate
an opening through two cemeteries, which, however, is not an
impossible or unprecedented action.
Nutley
Washington Avenue, Passaic Avenue, Franklin Avenue and
Centre Street are Nutley's best thoroughfares, all of which
successfully fulfill their functions with the possible exception of
Passaic Street, which 'is but 50 feet wide. This width could
well be increased to 75 feet. On the map it will be noticed that
an extension of Union Avenue is proposed which would thus
complete another large thoroughfare. Another proposed exten-
sion is that of Washington Avenue to Franklin Avenue, just
north of the Cotmty line, which would also constitute the com-
plete continuation of another large highway. A further
improvement is suggested in the widening of River Road and an
extension to follow the contour of the river as far as the County
line. Centre Street could well be extended east from Washing-
ton Avenue to Park Avenue, thus forming a direct connection to
and from the Avondale bridge. Considerable vacant territory
in Nutley leads to the suggestion that a plan be devised in
order to make possible its most efficient use.
Map No. 21
40 Conference on Inter-Urban Improvement
Orange
Centre Street and Scotland Street are two good thorough-
fares which lose much of their effectiveness through insufficient
width. The latter should be extended to the north in the
manner suggested on the map and thus afford a direct outlet on
Orange Street at the Montclair line. Study should be made of
the possibility of a coimection between- Centre Street and Orange
Street. South of Central Avenue another east and west
thoroughfare should be provided. This would probably follow
the general direction of Hillside Avenue, being in effect a
continuation of Rhode Island Avenue from East Orange.
Numerous slight defects in the local street system are evident,
which will probably be eliminated in the course of time. There
is little vacant area in need of a plan and here as elsewhere the
predominant fault is the lack of adequate highway facilities to
the north and south. As the Metropolitan District grows the
demand for the thoroughfares in this direction will increase and
too much cannot be said to urge development by the various
communities through which several of these more logical
routes run.
RADIAL THOROUGHFARES
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Map No. 22
42 Conference on Inter-Urban Improvement
South Orange Village
The extension of Wyoming Avenue to Gregory Avenue, the
widening of Valley Street and Scotland Street, a proper connec-
tion between these two at South Orange Avenue, and the
widening of Centre Street are the most necessary improvements
within this municipality. South Orange Avenue and Irvington
Avenue afford good radial communications to the east and west.
Owing to the steep hill on the west of the village, care should be
taken when this territory is developed to avoid as far as possible
excessive grades.
South Orange Township
A very irregular plan exists in this Township as an examina-
tion of the map will disclose. In the east this is particularly
noticeable and as there is a considerable amount of vacant land
here, a plan should immediately be devised for its development,
otherwise a most difficult situation will soon be encountered.
The most necessary improvements here are the widening of
Valley Street, the widening of Boyden Avenue, the continuation
of Parker Avenue to Irvington Avenue at the town line, and the
continuation of Baker Street from Valley Street directly east to
Tuscan Road.
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44 Conference on Inter-Urban Improvement
West Orange
The steep grades of West Orange necessitate a very
irregular plan and it is to be noticed that here the rectangular
system has been abandoned to a greater extent than in any
other municipality, with results which are fully as effective.
This is probably due to the fact that considerable care has been
taken regarding the direction of the larger thoroughfares.
Valley Road, Northfield Avenue, Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Eagle
Rock Avenue, Gregory Avenue, Prospect Avenue, are all well
situated and sufficiently wide for all practical purposes. To the
west is a vast amount of vacant land which will probably so
remain for many years. It is to be hoped that in its develop-
ment the same care which characterizes the present street
system will be used.
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Map No. 24
C/ILDtrELL TOWNSHIP
MAP OF
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SHOWING
MUNICIPALITIES *^^o HIGHWAYS
UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE
BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS
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