In the early days of the state communication between the settlements
was by Indian trails, which, as travel increased, expanded into roads.
Settlements on the coast were also connected by sailing vessels. The
roads gradually increased in number and length as the interior of the
state was developed. Little effort was made, however, toward keeping
the public roads in good condition. The difficulties of travel and
transportation led to the construction of many "turnpikes," or roads
built by private companies, which charged tolls for their use. With
very few exceptions these have been made public roads.
In the early part of the nineteenth century the foundations of
transportation by steamboat, canals, and railroads were laid. The
Morris Canal, from Phillipsburg to Jersey City, was projected and
constructed to bring anthracite coal from Pennsylvania to the iron
forges of northern New Jersey and to New York Bay, and to connect
the towns along its route with the city of New York. The Delaware and
Raritan Canal, from Bordentown to New Brunswick, the Camden and Amboy
Railroad, and the New Jersey Railroad were constructed in order to
increase transportation facilities between Philadelphia and New York
harbor. Now all parts of the state are connected with each other and
with those great centers by many railroad lines. The importance of
our railroads has been much increased by the development of the West
and by the geographical location of the state in the path of direct
communication between the western states and the city of New York. All
the trunk lines from the Middle West, with one exception, pass through
New Jersey, and have terminals in Jersey City, Hoboken, and Weehawken.
The state has 2464 miles of railroad, a greater mileage compared
with its area than any other state. Besides, there are 1294 miles of
electric railway which traverse all parts of the state and connect all
important points.
[Illustration: Oil refinery and tanks, Elizabethport]
Because of the superior advantages of railroads, the canals are now
obsolete, the Morris Canal being practically abandoned. The traffic
between New York and Philadelphia is growing so rapidly that it is
probable that the Delaware and Raritan Canal may be widened and
deepened and thus may become a barge or ship canal.
Communication with Pennsylvania over the Delaware is by means of many
ferries and bridges. There is no bridge between New Jersey and New York
over the Hudson, but the construction of one has been proposed. Until
1908 the only means of communication was by ferries. The Pennsylvania
Railroad now enters New York by tunnels extending from the Hackensack
meadows to its terminal in the city, and Jersey City and Hoboken are
also connected with New York by tunnels. In cooperation with the State
of New York, New Jersey has provided for the construction of a tunnel
for vehicles between Jersey City and New York, and, in cooperation
with Pennsylvania, of a bridge over the Delaware between Camden and
Philadelphia.
The state is noted for its excellent roads. The state and
municipalities are spending vast sums of money on their construction
and maintenance. Funds for state roads, which are in charge of a State
Highway Commission, are obtained from the issuance of automobile
licenses and from a special road tax.