Newark Plank Road

In 1765, an act of the Assembly of the Province of New Jersey stated: A road from New-Ark to the publick road in the town of Bergen, leading to Poulos Hook, and establishing ferries over the two small rivers, Passaick and Hackensack, which makes the distance from Poulus Hook to New-Ark eight miles, and will be a level and good road when the cause-ways are made ; and as said road will be very commodious for travelers, and give a short and easy access of a large country to the markets of the city of New-York and be of a general benefit both to city and country, it is hoped they will unite in the necessary expence of rendering said road for travellers and carriages, more especially since by said law the publick interest alone is regarded.

Initially ferry service was instituted at the river crossings which operated until the bridges were completed in 1795.

(The right of way through Bergen Hill is now used by Hudson-Bergen Light Rail West Side Branch).

The Newark Plank Road begins at the Hudson River on Grand Street, where a ferry took travelers to New York.

After 1913, the bridge and its approach became part of the Lincoln Highway, one of the first transcontinental automobile routes across the United States.