Route 70 roadwork is almost finished in South Jersey after 5 years and $155M
The project essentially rebuilt a nearly 9-mile stretch of Route 70 from Pennsauken to Marlton.
The construction along Route 70 that drivers have begrudgingly become accustomed to since 2021 will “essentially be complete this year,” according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
Only a handful of new traffic signals and some final paving work are left on the to-do list for the $155.1 million safety improvement project that essentially rebuilt a roughly 9-mile stretch of the highway.
In addition to repaving the road from Route 38 in Pennsauken to Cooper Avenue in Marlton, the work included new gas and water mains, traffic signal upgrades at 27 intersections, sidewalk and drainage improvements, and more.
“The investment NJDOT is making will help improve travel times, relieve congestion, and increase safety on this key roadway through Camden County, and these improvements are expected to benefit more than motorists,” said NJDOT spokesperson Steve Schapiro told the Inquirer this week.
“Reconstructed sidewalks and concrete curbs will mean improved safety for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable roadways users,” he said. “Updated utilities, improved drainage and replaced culverts will ensure resiliency along the corridor and help to mitigate inclement weather events that may cause flooding.”
Over the next month, the final six traffic signals will be installed along the highway after “several utility-related delays” previously held up the work, Schapiro said.
The signal work is expected to be completed in October, he said, and will be followed by re-striping and paving in two remaining work zones.
First, the agency aims to finish repaving Route 70 between the Grove Street/Haddonfield Road intersection and Route 38 this fall, weather permitting, Schapiro said.
The final unfinished section of highway stretching from Route 295 to Cropwell Road, will be repaved this fall “where necessary, with final paving scheduled for next spring,” he said.
NJDOT is also working with Camden County on additional landscaping work to be conducted in the spring, he said.
