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{{Infobox_road
{{Infobox_road
|state=NJ
| state=NJ
|type=
| type=
|route=446X
| route=446X
|highway_name=Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector
| highway_name=Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector
|marker_image=[[Image:Atlantic City Expressway shield.png|100px]]
| marker_image=[[Image:Atlantic City Expressway shield.png|100px]]
|length_mi=2.3
| length_mi=2.3
|length_round=2
| length_round=2
|direction_a=South
| direction_a=South
|direction_b=North
| direction_b=North
|starting_terminus=[[Image:Atlantic City Expressway shield.png|20px]] [[Atlantic City Expressway|A.C. Expressway]] in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City, NJ]]
| starting_terminus=[[Image:Atlantic City Expressway shield.png|20px]] [[Atlantic City Expressway|A.C. Expressway]] in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City, NJ]]
|ending_terminus=[[Image:Circle sign 87.svg|20px]] [[Route 87 (New Jersey)|NJ 87]] near [[Brigantine, New Jersey|Brigantine, NJ]]
| ending_terminus=[[Image:Circle sign 87.svg|20px]] [[Route 87 (New Jersey)|NJ 87]] near [[Brigantine, New Jersey|Brigantine, NJ]]
|established=2001
| established=2001
|system=[[South Jersey Transportation Authority]]
| system=[[South Jersey Transportation Authority]]
|previous_type=
| previous_type=
|previous_route=446
| previous_route=446
|browse_route=446X
| browse_route=446X
|next_type=
| next_type=
|next_route=495
| next_route=495
|commons=category
| commons=category
}}
}}
The '''Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector''', also known as the '''Atlantic City Expressway Connector''' or simply the '''Brigantine Connector''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.123exp-technology.com/t/03884175814/|title=Atlantic City-Brigantine Connector|publisher=123explore!|accessdate=2007-12-30}}</ref> is a [[Connector (road)|highway connector]] in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], connecting downtown Atlantic City with [[New Jersey Route 87|Route 87]] to [[Brigantine, New Jersey]]. The [[freeway]] is 2.3 [[mile]]s<ref name=phillyroads>{{cite web|url=http://www.phillyroads.com/roads/ac-brigantine/|title=Atlantic City-Brigantine Connector Historic Overview|publisher=phillyroads.com|accessdate=2007-12-30}}</ref> (3.7 [[kilometre|km]]) long, and is maintained by the [[South Jersey Transportation Authority]]. The road is considered to be a [[state highway]], and is assigned as '''Route 446X''',<ref name=njdot/> however the route number is not displayed among any signage.
The '''Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector''', also known as the '''Atlantic City Expressway Connector''' or simply the '''Brigantine Connector''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.123exp-technology.com/t/03884175814/|title=Atlantic City-Brigantine Connector|publisher=123explore!|accessdate=2007-12-30}}</ref> is a [[Connector (road)|highway connector]] in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], connecting downtown Atlantic City with [[New Jersey Route 87|Route 87]] to [[Brigantine, New Jersey]]. The [[freeway]] is 2.3 [[mile]]s<ref name="phillyroads">{{cite web|url=http://www.phillyroads.com/roads/ac-brigantine/|title=Atlantic City-Brigantine Connector Historic Overview|publisher=phillyroads.com|accessdate=2007-12-30}}</ref> (3.7 [[kilometre|km]]) long, and is maintained by the [[South Jersey Transportation Authority]]. The road is considered to be a [[state highway]], and is assigned as '''Route 446X''',<ref name="njdot" /> however the route number is not displayed among any signage.

⚫
== Route description ==


⚫
==Route description==
[[Image:Connector NB.jpg|thumb|right|The freeway northbound as it approaches the tunnel]]
[[Image:Connector NB.jpg|thumb|right|The freeway northbound as it approaches the tunnel]]
The Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector begins right where the [[Atlantic City Expressway]] begins on the edge of Atlantic City, and travels about two miles north to the marina district, where it connects with Route 87. Unlike most highways, the exits are assigned letters rather than numbers, which range from A to H. The highway's entrance is assigned as Exit A for southbound traffic, and the following exit is Exit B for Bacharach Boulevard. Past Exit B, the freeway travels through a 1,957-foot-long<ref name=phillyroads/> (596 [[metre|meter]]) [[tunnel]]. As there is no Exit C or Exit D,<ref name=njroads>{{cite web|url=http://web.mit.edu/smalpert/www/roads/nj/446x/|title=A.C.E. Connector|work=New Jersey Roads|accessdate=2007-12-30}}</ref> the next exits are E and F before the freeway ends as it splits to Exit G and Exit H. Exits E, F, G, and H are only accessible to northbound traffic, while southbound traffic is only served by Exits A and B.
The Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector begins right where the [[Atlantic City Expressway]] begins on the edge of Atlantic City, and travels about two miles north to the marina district, where it connects with Route 87. Unlike most highways, the exits are assigned letters rather than numbers, which range from A to H. The highway's entrance is assigned as Exit A for southbound traffic, and the following exit is Exit B for Bacharach Boulevard. Past Exit B, the freeway travels through a 1,957-foot-long<ref name="phillyroads" /> (596 [[metre|meter]]) [[tunnel]]. As there is no Exit C or Exit D,<ref name="njroads">{{cite web|url=http://web.mit.edu/smalpert/www/roads/nj/446x/|title=A.C.E. Connector|work=New Jersey Roads|accessdate=2007-12-30}}</ref> the next exits are E and F before the freeway ends as it splits to Exit G and Exit H. Exits E, F, G, and H are only accessible to northbound traffic, while southbound traffic is only served by Exits A and B.


⚫
The total cost of the project was [[United States dollar|US$]]330 million, and was funded by various state-operated agencies, while one-third of the cost was provided by [[MGM Mirage]], owner of the [[Borgata]].
⚫
[[Image:Exit F.jpg|left|thumb|Exit F travelling northbound]]


⚫
== History ==
⚫
The total cost of the project was [[United States dollar|US$]]330 million, and was funded by various state-operated agencies, while one-third of the cost was provided by [[MGM Mirage]] since the highway provided access to the MGM Mirage-owned casino, the [[Borgata]].


⚫
The Atlantic City Expressway opened in 1965, and at the time, the only road providing access to Brigantine, New Jersey was Route 87. After the legalization of gambling in the late 1970s, the Brigantine Bridge soon became very crowded as there was no highway connection from the bridge to the Expressway in downtown Atlantic City.<ref name="phillyroads" />


⚫
[[Image:Exit F.jpg|left|thumb|Exit F travelling northbound]]
⚫
==History==
⚫
The Atlantic City Expressway opened in 1965, and at the time, the only road providing access to Brigantine, New Jersey was Route 87. After the legalization of gambling in the late 1970s, the Brigantine Bridge soon became very crowded as there was no highway connection from the bridge to the Expressway in downtown Atlantic City.


After three decades, there were no plans to create a freeway connecting the two roads, until the [[South Jersey Transportation Authority]] and the [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]] planned the construction of a four-lane connector highway and tunnel in 1995. Before the State of New Jersey officially announced plans for the connector project, the Atlantic City government requested proposals for property in the northern section of the city near the marina, which at one time, served as the city's [[landfill]]. Former [[Mirage Resorts]] president [[Steve Wynn]] won the bidding against [[Donald Trump]], the [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] of the [[Trump Organization]].<ref> Wynn had intentions of constructing a new [[casino]] project on the property, known as "Le Jardin," with an exit ramp from the connector leading directly to his new property.<ref name="phillyroads" /> The exit to Le Jardin was referred to as a "driveway" to the casino,<ref name="opens">{{cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DEEDC133DF93BA15754C0A9679C8B63|title=Atlantic City Car Tunnel Opens Briefly, for Pedestrians|first=Iver|last=Patterson|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=[[July 28]], [[2001]]|accessdate=2007-12-30}}</ref> which caused Trump to take legal action against the state, as he felt that the easy access to Wynn's new property would create an unfair business advantage against [[Trump Marina]], a Trump-owned property in the same area.<ref name="metro">{{cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F01E4D8143CF935A15752C0A9669C8B63|title=Metro Business; Trump Wins Ruling On Tunnel Project|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=[[January 26]], [[2000]]|accessdate=2007-12-30}}</ref>


In 1997, former Governor [[Christine Todd Whitman]] approved the project, and construction began on November 5, 1998. After construction on the freeway began, Wynn's interests were purchased by [[MGM Grand Inc.]], thus creating the [[MGM Mirage]] company, and plans for Le Jardin were cancelled.<ref name="phillyroads" /> Despite the fact that Le Jardin was cancelled and MGM Mirage's new casino, [[Borgata]], was not scheduled to open until 2003, Trump was still fighting against the project's plans to build the exit directly to the new casino. Eventually, in January 2000, Trump dropped his case his case after an exit ramp leading to the Trump Marina was later added to the project.
[[Steve Wynn]], a major casino developer, decided to continue the project in the late 1990s, and to promote his new casino, which eventually became opened up as [[Borgata]].


⚫
On July 27, 2001, the Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector had its grand opening ceremony after a 32-month construction period. The opening ceremony was opened to the public, which featured various festivities, including a pedestrian tunnel walk, all of which was open to the public.<ref name="human">{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-8323772_ITM|title=Atlantic City tunnel carries human cost|first=Amy S.|last=Rosenberg|publisher=''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]''|date=[[July 28]], [[2001]]|accessdate=2007-12-30}}</ref> However, the tunnel was not opened to traffic until four days later due to a last-minute failure of the tunnel communications system.<ref name="phillyroads" />
This caused major controversy, as it would go through a middle-class [[African American]] neighborhood. Competitor Donald Trump sued Wynn for it because it was a "driveway" to his new casino.


⚫
== Exit list ==
⚫
On [[July 27]], [[2001]], the Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector had its grand opening ceremony after a 32-month construction period. The opening ceremony was opened to the public, and featured a tunnel walk and festivities that were open to the public. However, the tunnel was not opened to traffic until four days later due to a last-minute failure of the tunnel communications system.<ref name=phillyroads/>


⚫
All exits are located within [[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City]], in [[Atlantic County, New Jersey|Atlantic County]], [[New Jersey]].<ref name="njdot">{{cite web|url=http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000446X_-.pdf|format=[[Portable Document Format|PDF]]|title=Atlantic City-Brigantine Connector (South to North)|publisher=[[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]|accessdate=2007-12-30}}</ref>
==Controversy==




⚫
==Exit list==
⚫
All exits are located within [[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City]], in [[Atlantic County, New Jersey|Atlantic County]], [[New Jersey]].<ref name=njdot>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000446X_-.pdf|format=[[Portable Document Format|PDF]]|title=Atlantic City-Brigantine Connector (South to North)|publisher=[[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]|accessdate=2007-12-30}}</ref>
{| class=wikitable
{| class=wikitable
!Mile
!Mile
Line 53: Line 52:
!Notes
!Notes
|-
|-
|rowspan=2|0.0
| rowspan=2|0.0
|
|
|[[Image:Atlantic City Expressway shield.png|20px]] [[Atlantic City Expressway]] <small>(TOLL)</small> / [[Image:GSPkwy Shield.svg|20px]] <small>TO</small> [[Garden State Parkway]] <small>(TOLL)</small>
| [[Image:Atlantic City Expressway shield.png|20px]] [[Atlantic City Expressway]] <small>(TOLL)</small> / [[Image:GSPkwy Shield.svg|20px]] <small>TO</small> [[Garden State Parkway]] <small>(TOLL)</small>
|rowspan=2|Southbound exit and northbound entrance
| rowspan=2|Southbound exit and northbound entrance
|-
|-
|A
| A
|Midtown / Downbeach
| Midtown / Downbeach
|-
|-
|0.54
| 0.54
|B
| B
|Bacharach Boulevard / [[Atlantic City Convention Center|Convention Center]]
| Bacharach Boulevard / [[Atlantic City Convention Center|Convention Center]]
|
|
|-
|-
|1.59
| 1.59
|E
| E
|[[Image:US 30.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 30|US 30]] – Uptown / [[Absecon, New Jersey|Absecon]]
| [[Image:US 30.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 30|US 30]] – Uptown / [[Absecon, New Jersey|Absecon]]
|Northbound only
| Northbound only
|-
|-
|1.66
| 1.66
|F
| F
|<small>TO</small> [[Image:Atlantic City Expressway shield.png|20px]] [[Atlantic City Expressway]] <small>(TOLL)</small> / [[Atlantic City Convention Center|Convention Center]] / Midtown / Downbeach
| <small>TO</small> [[Image:Atlantic City Expressway shield.png|20px]] [[Atlantic City Expressway]] <small>(TOLL)</small> / [[Atlantic City Convention Center|Convention Center]] / Midtown / Downbeach
|Northbound only
| Northbound only
|-
|-
|rowspan=2|1.98
| rowspan=2|1.98
|G
| G
|Farley Marina / [[Trump Marina]] / [[Harrah's Atlantic City|Harrah's]] / [[Brigantine, New Jersey|Brigantine]]
| Farley Marina / [[Trump Marina]] / [[Harrah's Atlantic City|Harrah's]] / [[Brigantine, New Jersey|Brigantine]]
|Northbound only
| Northbound only
|-
|-
|H
| H
|Renaissance Pointe / [[Borgata]]
| Renaissance Pointe / [[Borgata]]
|Northbound only
| Northbound only
|-
|-
|2.3
| 2.3
|
|
|[[Image:Circle sign 87.svg|20px]] [[New Jersey Route 87|NJ 87]] – [[Brigantine, New Jersey|Brigantine]]
| [[Image:Circle sign 87.svg|20px]] [[New Jersey Route 87|NJ 87]] – [[Brigantine, New Jersey|Brigantine]]
|Southbound entrance only
| Southbound entrance only
|}
|}


==External links==
== External links ==

*[http://www.phillyroads.com/roads/ac-brigantine/ PhillyRoads.com AC Connector Article]
*[http://www2.sjta.com/acexpressway/images/connector.gif Connector Map]
* [http://www.phillyroads.com/roads/ac-brigantine/ PhillyRoads.com AC Connector Article]
* [http://www2.sjta.com/acexpressway/images/connector.gif Connector Map]
*[http://www.acexpressway.com/ Atlantic City Expressway official site]
*[http://www.sjta.com/ South Jersey Transportation Authority (owner of the road)]
* [http://www.acexpressway.com/ Atlantic City Expressway official site]
* [http://www.sjta.com/ South Jersey Transportation Authority (owner of the road)]
*[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000446X_-.pdf NJ Route 446X] [[Straight Line Diagram]] ([[PDF]])
* [http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000446X_-.pdf NJ Route 446X] [[Straight Line Diagram]] ([[PDF]])


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


Revision as of 10:28, 30 December 2007

Route information
Length2.3 mi (3.7 km)
Existed2001–present
Location
CountryUnited States
StateNew Jersey
Highway system
South Jersey Transportation Authority
 446X 

The Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector, also known as the Atlantic City Expressway Connector or simply the Brigantine Connector,[1] is a highway connector in Atlantic City, New Jersey, connecting downtown Atlantic City with Route 87 to Brigantine, New Jersey. The freeway is 2.3 miles[2] (3.7 km) long, and is maintained by the South Jersey Transportation Authority. The road is considered to be a state highway, and is assigned as Route 446X,[3] however the route number is not displayed among any signage.

Route description

The freeway northbound as it approaches the tunnel

The Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector begins right where the Atlantic City Expressway begins on the edge of Atlantic City, and travels about two miles north to the marina district, where it connects with Route 87. Unlike most highways, the exits are assigned letters rather than numbers, which range from A to H. The highway's entrance is assigned as Exit A for southbound traffic, and the following exit is Exit B for Bacharach Boulevard. Past Exit B, the freeway travels through a 1,957-foot-long[2] (596 meter) tunnel. As there is no Exit C or Exit D,[4] the next exits are E and F before the freeway ends as it splits to Exit G and Exit H. Exits E, F, G, and H are only accessible to northbound traffic, while southbound traffic is only served by Exits A and B.

The total cost of the project was US$330 million, and was funded by various state-operated agencies, while one-third of the cost was provided by MGM Mirage, owner of the Borgata.

History

The Atlantic City Expressway opened in 1965, and at the time, the only road providing access to Brigantine, New Jersey was Route 87. After the legalization of gambling in the late 1970s, the Brigantine Bridge soon became very crowded as there was no highway connection from the bridge to the Expressway in downtown Atlantic City.[2]

Exit F travelling northbound

After three decades, there were no plans to create a freeway connecting the two roads, until the South Jersey Transportation Authority and the New Jersey Department of Transportation planned the construction of a four-lane connector highway and tunnel in 1995. Before the State of New Jersey officially announced plans for the connector project, the Atlantic City government requested proposals for property in the northern section of the city near the marina, which at one time, served as the city's landfill. Former Mirage Resorts president Steve Wynn won the bidding against Donald Trump, the CEO of the Trump Organization.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). which caused Trump to take legal action against the state, as he felt that the easy access to Wynn's new property would create an unfair business advantage against Trump Marina, a Trump-owned property in the same area.[5]

In 1997, former Governor Christine Todd Whitman approved the project, and construction began on November 5, 1998. After construction on the freeway began, Wynn's interests were purchased by MGM Grand Inc., thus creating the MGM Mirage company, and plans for Le Jardin were cancelled.[2] Despite the fact that Le Jardin was cancelled and MGM Mirage's new casino, Borgata, was not scheduled to open until 2003, Trump was still fighting against the project's plans to build the exit directly to the new casino. Eventually, in January 2000, Trump dropped his case his case after an exit ramp leading to the Trump Marina was later added to the project.

On July 27, 2001, the Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector had its grand opening ceremony after a 32-month construction period. The opening ceremony was opened to the public, which featured various festivities, including a pedestrian tunnel walk, all of which was open to the public.[6] However, the tunnel was not opened to traffic until four days later due to a last-minute failure of the tunnel communications system.[2]

Exit list

All exits are located within Atlantic City, in Atlantic County, New Jersey.[3]

Mile # Destinations Notes
0.0 File:Atlantic City Expressway shield.png Atlantic City Expressway (TOLL) / TO Garden State Parkway (TOLL) Southbound exit and northbound entrance
A Midtown / Downbeach
0.54 B Bacharach Boulevard / Convention Center
1.59 E US 30 – Uptown / Absecon Northbound only
1.66 F TO File:Atlantic City Expressway shield.png Atlantic City Expressway (TOLL) / Convention Center / Midtown / Downbeach Northbound only
1.98 G Farley Marina / Trump Marina / Harrah's / Brigantine Northbound only
H Renaissance Pointe / Borgata Northbound only
2.3 NJ 87 – Brigantine Southbound entrance only

References

  1. ^ "Atlantic City-Brigantine Connector". 123explore!. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Atlantic City-Brigantine Connector Historic Overview". phillyroads.com. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  3. ^ a b "Atlantic City-Brigantine Connector (South to North)" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Transportation. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  4. ^ "A.C.E. Connector". New Jersey Roads. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  5. ^ "Metro Business; Trump Wins Ruling On Tunnel Project". The New York Times. January 26, 2000. Retrieved 2007-12-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ Rosenberg, Amy S. (July 28, 2001). "Atlantic City tunnel carries human cost". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2007-12-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
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