Main St. in Penns Grove
Former NJ 48 and US 40

The WB sign in the first photo is sadly gone, but the EB sign lives on and you can click it for a closeup. These were once on US 40/NJ 48 at Broad St., now CR 607 but original US 130. US 40 continued west to the ferry docks long before US 130 was extended down this far, later rerouted to a more southerly ferry in Pennsville (now the jumping-off point of the Delaware Memorial Bridge). NJ 48 was kept on its original path until truncation in 1953, at which point most of 48 was removed since it duplexed with US 40 across the state. Since 130 had been realigned to bypass Penns Grove by 1953, this corner was already county routes in all directions, which is why NJDOT never got around to taking down these 1920's-era signs.


Speaking of the ferry docks, the first signs heading east from there also happen to be quite old.


Speaking of the ferry docks, here they are at the end of 2007. The 48 ferry went across to Wilmington and picked up DE 48, obviously not a coincidence. What's left here is in ruins, but at least there's something left, unlike on the Delaware side.


Magically, the gate came off by 2024, and I was able to walk out on old NJ 48, still paved.


Some of the concrete pier structure, now so far gone that you can see the water through it. Photos pan from south to north across the west end of the "pier", or whatever you want to call the US 40 structural buildout.


The bridge has no deck, it's in the water, the pier is tilted - perfect spot for some birds.


Walking back east to the car, but I'm not quite done yet.


First, a bit of a northern side view, with Wilmington industry in the distance. Thank that guy sitting there for opening the gate for me.


Penns Grove redeveloped the waterfront to the south of Broad St., so there is a perfect opportunity for these southern side views showing the full length of what remains above water. There are so many birds, even the tree at the far end of the old dock bridge is one.


Closing with a view south from there at the Delaware Memorial Bridge that spelled the ferry's demise.

Modern NJ 48 (old US 40)
Modern US 40

Onto Broad St., CR 607
Down to the Delaware Memorial Bridge, I-295
See more of Salem County
Penns Grove Non-Roads
Back to New Jersey Roads
Back to Roads