Route 139 (New Jersey)

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Image:Circle sign 139.svg Route 139 is a state highway in Jersey City, New Jersey, extending the Pulaski Skyway (US 1/US 9) east to the Holland Tunnel. It was originally the business route for US 1 and US 9; the number 139 was chosen because it was felt that the ampersand on "1&9" shields looked like a three. Officially, NJ 139 multiplexes with Interstate 78 to the Holland Tunnel; signage stops at the merge with I-78 (after which I-78 has traffic lights).

Residents of Jersey City call this road the Divided Highway because of its two levels - a lower level that provides a direct connection between the tunnel and the Skyway and an upper level that provides surface arterial service. The upper level replaced a surface road known as Hoboken Avenue along its eastern half. The lower level is also often referred to as the Covered Roadway. Several old maps show the upper level as Tunnel Avenue. Signage along the upper level of the highway identifies it simply as State Highway.

Route 139 will be part of a massive reconstruction effort by New Jersey to improve the accesses to the Holland Tunnel, a project expected to finish by 2010. This is due to severe deterioration of the viaduct section of this route, where the 1920's era steel work has rusted through completely in many of the beams supporting it.

The Route 139 designation was assigned by 1990.

See also

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• Route 1A and Route 9A, which once continued US 1-9 Business back to its parents in New York City

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