Department of Transportation

Overview

Route 70, Route 38 to Cooper Avenue project limits map
Route 70, Route 38 to Cooper Avenue project limits map.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is milling, resurfacing, and reconstructing 8.8 miles of Route 70 in Pennsauken, Cherry Hill, and Evesham Townships between Route 38 (Mile Post 0.00) and Cooper Avenue (Mile Post 8.80). The project includes improvements along NJDOT jughandles and will also upgrade all traffic signals to include smart technology, upgrade intersections to be Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant, address drainage issues, and improve pedestrian safety along the corridor. The project has completed the Final Design phase of NJDOT’s Capital Project Delivery Process. Construction is anticipated to begin in September 2021 and be completed by early 2027.

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Existing Conditions at Route 70 Westbound and Union Avenue

The project is located in Pennsauken and Cherry Hill Townships in Camden County and Evesham Township in Burlington County. Within the project limits, the existing pavement exhibits various types of cracking and deterioration. Existing sidewalk, curbing, curb ramps, signalized intersections, and guiderail are deficient and do not meet current NJDOT standards. Most pedestrian facilities do not meet current ADA requirements.

In 2011, the NJDOT Pavement Management System (PMS) identified the Route 70 corridor from Mile Post (MP) 0.0 to MP 7.70 (Cropwell Road) as in need of pavement repair. NJDOT initiated a Concept Development Study in 2011 to evaluate pavement resurfacing and reconstruction improvements along the corridor. The project advanced to Preliminary Engineering in 2013 and began Final Design in 2016. Also in 2016, NJDOT Maintenance Engineering & Operations (NJDOT ME&O) initiated interim roadway maintenance between Route 70 MP 0.00 to MP 7.70 to make Route 70 safer for commuters and more manageable for the maintenance crews until the pavement reconstruction project was ready for construction. In 2019, the eastern project limit was extended to Cooper Avenue (MP 8.80) as a result of input received from the PMS.

Throughout project development, NJDOT conducted community outreach to obtain input from local and County officials, stakeholders, local business owners, and the general public. Please refer to the public involvement page for past public involvement activities and upcoming public meeting announcements.

The community can stay up-to-date on project news by visiting this project website and following NJDOT on Facebook and Twitter (@NewJerseyDOT). During construction, there will be a real time work zone traffic monitoring system that will provide real time traffic and travel information to road users seven days a week, 365 days a year through NJDOT’s 511NJ Travel Information Services. 511NJ Travel Information Services can be accessed the through the following methods:

Additionally, portable variable message signs (VMS) located on Route 70 will give road users advance notice of detours and lane shifts. During construction, please visit the Construction Activities page to read information on construction progress.

PROJECT IMPROVEMENTS
Roadway and Pavement Improvements:
  • Mill and overlay the roadway surface throughout project limits
    • This is the process of grinding off the top layer of existing asphalt using a large milling machine and replacing this layer with a new asphalt surface.
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    Existing Conditions East of
    Springdale Road Along Route 70 Eastbound
  • Full depth pavement reconstruction along 3 miles of Route 70
    • Full depth reconstruction will include Route 70 eastbound from MP 2.54 to 3.45 and MP 3.96 to MP 5.23; and Route 70 westbound from MP 2.54 to MP 3.49. The remaining roadway surfaces within project limits will be milled and resurfaced.
    • Full depth pavement replacement consists of excavating the entire area and removing existing concrete pavement. The unsuitable soils are removed from the site and new gravel base material is installed prior to the new asphalt pavement. It is required when the pavement foundation needs to be replaced as a result of sub-soil issues or traffic load changes.
  • Reconstruct deteriorated curb and sidewalk throughout the majority of the project limits
  • Install new sidewalks to fill in missing gaps and provide connectivity throughout the corridor
  • Reconstruct all 350 curb ramps throughout the project limits to be ADA-compliant
  • Upgrade traffic signing and striping
  • Upgrade guiderail
  • Reconstruct access to residential and business driveways that are impacted by the pavement reconstruction
Drainage and Structural Improvements:
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Existing Conditions of SCropwell’s Brook Culvert
on Route 70 Eastbound
  • Replacement of existing corrugated metal culvert pipes at:
    • McClellan Avenue (MP 0.35) to be replaced with twin 66” rigid concrete pipes
    • Cropwell’s Brook (MP 3.99) to be replaced with a reinforced concrete box culvert
    • Conestoga Drive (MP 7.37) to be replaced with a concrete elliptical pipe
  • Replace existing timber wall with new retaining wall at Cropwell’s Brook (MP 3.99)
  • Install six stormwater management basins and two manufactured treatment devices designed for water quality and rate control
Traffic and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Improvements:
  • Collectively, these technology-based systems will give NJDOT a wider range of capabilities to manage traffic during project construction and beyond.
    • Upgrade all 28 traffic signals along the corridor to a smart technology known as an adaptive traffic signal control system. This system will interconnect all traffic signals to collect real time traffic data and adapt traffic signalization to improve flow and reduce stops and backups.
    • Install new ITS fiber-optic cable throughout the project limits
    • Install new pedestrian countdown signals and pushbuttons at crosswalks.
    • Upgrade five closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and install two new Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) at MP 0.50 and at MP 1.77. DMS will alert motorists of roadway incidents or congestion. Two existing DMS along the corridor will also be replaced.
  • Replace existing street lights with LED lighting fixtures and install additional lighting at signalized intersections.
Utility Improvements:
  • Replace 15,200 linear feet of PSE&G cast iron gas main with 18,000 linear feet of 24” steel gas main.
  • Replace 14,500 linear feet of New Jersey American Water (NJAW) water main
  • Relocation of approximately 120 utility poles to accommodate proposed sidewalk and curb ramps
PROJECT SCHEDULE
NJDOT Pavement Management System (PMS) identified Route 70, Route 38 (Mile Post 0.00) to Cropwell Road (Mile Post 7.70) as “In Need Of Repair” 2011
Concept Development Phase Initiated September 2011
NJDOT approves the Preliminary Preferred Alternative (PPA) to mill and resurface the majority of Route 70. Sections of full depth pavement reconstruction are proposed. Concept Development phase is completed March 2013
Preliminary Engineering Initiated November 2013
Categorical Exclusion Document approved February 2016
Final Design Initiated May 2016
NJDOT Maintenance Engineering & Operations (NJDOT ME&O) conducted Interim Maintenance Roadway Repair Project between Route 70 MP 0.00 To MP 7.70 eastbound and westbound June 2016
Right-Of-Way (ROW) Acquisition Initiated September 2018
Project Limits Extended to Cooper Avenue (Mile Post 8.80) January 2019
Final Design Submission March 2020
Environmental Reevaluation for Categorical Exclusion Document (pending) February 2021 (On-Going)
Environmental Permits Secured and ROW Acquisitions Finalized March 2021
Plans, Specifications, and Estimate (PS&E) Package Submission to NJDOT March 2021
Advertise Project for Bidding May 2021
Award Contract June 2021
Start Construction September 2021
Construction Complete Early 2027


Last updated date: October 25, 2022 3:36 PM