County Route 551 (New Jersey) - Route Description - Gloucester County

Gloucester County

Upon crossing the marshy Oldmans Creek, CR 551 enters Woolwich Township in Gloucester County and becomes Auburn Avenue as it passes residential subdivisions before crossing CR 602 and heading into agricultural areas. The road enters areas of residential development again as it intersects CR 620 and CR 662. After crossing a Southern Railroad of New Jersey line, the route continues into Swedesboro and is lined with homes as it meets CR 671 before coming to a junction with CR 605 and CR 694. At this intersection, CR 551 turns onto Kings Highway and passes through the residential and commercial downtown of Swedesboro, reaching the junction with the western terminus of CR 538. The route crosses the Racoon Creek back into Woolwich Township and intersects CR 653 before passing a mix of farms and development as it comes to US 322/CR 536. CR 551 continues through more agricultural areas as it has junctions with CR 672 and CR 684. Continuing into East Greenwich Township, the route heads into areas of residential subdivisions as it crosses CR 607 and CR 664. After passing through some woods, the road heads into the residential community of Mickleton and intersects CR 673. In the community of Clarksboro, CR 551 reaches junctions with CR 667 and CR 707. The route crosses the Conrail Shared Assets Operations Salem Secondary before passing more homes in the community of Mount Royal, where there is an intersection with CR 678. CR 551 crosses the Mantua Creek into West Deptford Township and heads east between oil tanks to the north and residential areas to the south as it intersects CR 648, CR 643, and CR 656. The road continues near more homes and tank farms before crossing CR 660, where the setting becomes mainly residential. CR 551 enters Woodbury and becomes Salem Avenue as it enters commercial areas, crossing the Conrail Shared Assets Operations Penns Grove Secondary before reaching an intersection with Route 45.

Here, CR 551 forms a concurrency with four-lane Route 45 and heads north-northeast on Broad Street through the downtown of Woodbury. The road intersects CR 663 and continues through the downtown. Route 45 and CR 551 cross the Woodbury Creek out of the downtown area and intersect CR 644 near Underwood-Memorial Hospital. From here, the route continues past a mix of residences and businesses as a two-lane undivided road. CR 551 splits from Route 45 by heading east on Park Avenue, crossing the Conrail Shared Assets Operations Vineland Secondary before turning north on Broadway, entering Deptford Township. The road runs through commercial areas and intersects the northern terminus of CR 553. Farther north, CR 551 reaches a partial interchange with access to and from the northbound direction of I-295; southbound access is provided by Route 45 a short distance to the west. In the area of this interchange, the route is briefly a divided highway. Past I-295, the route continues into Westville and passes through more urban areas of homes and businesses as a two-lane undivided road. CR 551 passes through the commercial downtown of Westville before joining Route 47, running northeast through commercial areas as a four-lane undivided road.