 What became US 22 in 1926 was first designated as pre @-@ 1927 Route 9 in 1916 , a route running from Phillipsburg to Elizabeth . In 1927 , pre @-@ 1927 Route 9 west of Elizabeth became Route 28 while the portion within Elizabeth became Route 27 @-@ 28 Link . By 1941 , US 22 was moved to its current alignment in the Phillipsburg area , following Route 24 and Route 24 @-@ 28 Link ; Route 28 in Phillipsburg became US 22 Alternate ( now Route 122 ) . Also , US 22 was moved off Route 28 east of Bridgewater Township to follow Route 28 @-@ 29 Link and Route 29 to Newark . In 1953 , the long concurrencies with the state highways were removed . In the 1960s , I @-@ 78 was constructed close to the US 22 corridor throughout New Jersey . US 22 was moved onto the new interstate between Alpha and Clinton in 1969 with most of the old route becoming Route 173 . 
