The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Aug. 11 began a project to reduce congestion and improve safety on Route 47 in Glassboro, Pitman and Washington Township, Gloucester County.

“NJDOT’s intersection improvements will ease traffic congestion, facilitate economic development and improve safety along this vital stretch of Route 47 in Gloucester County,” said Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

The $6.9 million project will provide intersection improvements at Route 47/Chapel Heights Avenue and Route 47/Holly Avenue. Route 47 will be widened to accommodate a 12-ft. (3.6 m) through lane, a 10-ft. (3 m) shoulder, and a left turn lane in each direction between milepost 64.9 and milepost 65.3. NJDOT will install a 4-ft. (1.2 m) concrete median to separate traffic lanes. Route 47 will remain open to traffic during construction.

NJDOT also will replace the Route 47 Bridge over Mantua Creek as part of the project. The new bridge will be a wider structure to accommodate a 6-ft. (1.8 m) sidewalk on both sides of the structure.

The intersection improvements will include new traffic signals at Route 47/Holly Avenue and Route 47/Chapel Heights Avenue, along with the installation of new auxiliary left-turn lanes at Holly Avenue/Chapel Heights Avenue. Work also will include pavement rehabilitation, and the installation of a new storm water detention system. The project is slated for completion in May 2010.

In early October, NJDOT will close Holly Avenue in Pitman Borough in order to reconstruct the Holly Avenue Bridge over the Mantua Creek. The Holly Avenue structure will be rehabilitated and widened by 15 ft. (4.6 m). Local access to Holly Avenue residences will be maintained during construction. The roadway is scheduled to reopen in early spring, 2009.

During the Holly Avenue closure, Route 47 traffic to East Holly Avenue will be detoured to Pittman Avenue (CR 639), to Woodbury Avenue/Glassboro Road (CR 553), and back to Holly Avenue.

Variable message signs will be installed to inform motorists of traffic pattern changes during construction. Real time traffic information and construction updates are available at www.nj511.info.

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