*This is all fictional and elaborated as what I think may have happened if the powers that be had decided to build these highways*

An East-West highway is needed...

Planning for the Route 60 freeway began in 1965 when the NJDOT mapped out it's network of highways for the southern part of the state.  U.S. Route 40 was already showing it's age and became over capacity in many locations.   Despite objections from environmentalists, construction started in 1966 on a stretch from a new Exit 3 on U.S. Route 130 (Camden Freeway), and continued to Route 77, a total of 15 miles.  By 1969 it was open to traffic, with the section from there to Route 55 soon underway.  On it's way, Route 60 passes through two newly formed Wildlife areas, Alloway Creek WMA and Palatine Lake NWR these being concessions for the freeway's creation.  In 1973 the Route 60 freeway from U.S. Route 130 to Route 55 in Vineland was officially open, a distance of 26 miles.  The new route became increasingly popular with those traveling to the Jersey Shore from Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Extending to Ocean City... 

Plans for the eastern extension to Ocean City began to feel more opposition, as stricter environmental regulations began to take effect.  NJDOT was already building the Route 54 freeway to meet Route 60, and a small section of Route 60 had already been cleared and graded adjacent to the Garden State Parkway.  New studies had to be made, but ultimately the freeway saw new construction again in the summer of 1982.  Interchanges were kept to a minimum and the median was kept wide with plenty of vegetation.  Along it's journey, Route 60 would pass through two newly expanded preserves, the Peaslee WMA and the Tuckahoe WMA, both to preserve open space and prevent sprawl.  The freeway would be built to meet Route 52 at Exit 30 on the Parkway.  To reduce confusion it was decided that Route 52 be redesignated Route 60, despite it's surface arterial status.  The road was widened to accomodate incoming traffic, which led to the small loss of many front yards homes.  The state tried to compensate by landscaping the boulevard with brick sidewalks, decorative lighting, and benches.  The final section was opened on September 26th of 1985, the 57.2 mile freeway proved to be quite useful for both tourists and residents.  Route 60 would also provide a very neccessary route for a potential evacuation.  Once complete, the freeway becomes one of the most scenic in the entire state due to it's passage through four very large Wildlife Management Areas.

Here the Ocean City Expressway begins from U.S. Route 130, those coming from the north wanting to access Route 60 would use Route 140 at Exit 4 and connect to U.S. Route 40 near Route 60's Exit 3.  Here the last exit provides access from Route 60 to Carney's Point.

The interchange between Route 60 & Route 56 is a folded half cloverleaf just past the interchange with Route 160.  It provides a direct connection to the town of Rosenhayn.  Route 56 looses it's dualization just west of this interchange as it enters Cumberland County.

Before it's upgrade in 1992, the Exit 35 interchange only had access from Route 60 (eastbound) to Route 54 (northbound).  Demand soon came for north-south access from the east, and the NJDOT had to provide ramps.  A problem came when a small turtle bog was found on the northeast corner of the interchange.  New right of way could not be purchased to make the west to north ramp.  As a result, construction was prohibited and the design of interchange had to be changed.  The idea came to use the right of way within the existing interchange medians.  The new ramps were opened in the summer of 1993, three weeks ahead of schedule.

Here Route 60 meets Route 50 and CR 637. It provides access for Tuckahoe and Mays Landing.

Route 60 transitions from a freeway to a surface arterial after Exit 57.  Originally this section was Route 52, but when the Route 60 freeway was extended to meet Ocean City, it made more sense to renumber the surface road to Route 60 instead of confusing drivers.  That way one long route exists from Deepwater to Ocean City's beachfront.  Once the freeway begins just east of the Parkway, the right of way quickly widens to provide a scenic wooded median.  All directions are provided for with the only tollbooths located on those exits that avoid the Egg Harbor Toll Plaza.

Here is the large overhead signs you would see as you approach the interchange with Route 60 and the Parkway.