Community Corner

Bellmawr Road Project to Impact 168 Traffic

Benigno Boulevard will be closed to eastbound traffic for about a month.

New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) officials have announced that Benigno Boulevard in Bellmawr will be closed to eastbound traffic at its intersection with Route 168 (Black Horse Pike) for more than a month.

The temporary closure is scheduled to be implemented tonight (Sept. 28).

During the eastbound closure, Benigno Boulevard eastbound motorists will be detoured to Heller Road to Hall Avenue to Creek Road to West Browning Road to Route 168.

Find out what's happening in Gloucester Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The closure is necessary for DOT to advance a $1.8 million state-funded project to improve safety and reduce congestion at the intersection. Benigno Boulevard westbound will be maintained to provide access for Route 168 motorists headed to Route 42 northbound.

DOT’s contractor, Mount Construction Co., is widening Benigno Boulevard to include two dedicated turn-lanes—a left-turn lane for traffic headed to Route 168 northbound and a right-turn lane for traffic headed to Route 168 southbound and the New Jersey Turnpike. 

Find out what's happening in Gloucester Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Benigno Boulevard has had only one travel lane at the intersection, which led to traffic backups for motorists headed to Route 168 during peak travel periods. A new traffic signal will be installed to accommodate the new turn movements at the intersection.

All lanes on Route 168 are being maintained between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. during construction, with traffic shifts in place utilizing the existing highway shoulders.  During overnight hours, single-lane closures may be implemented on each roadway, with traffic shifts and alternating traffic patterns. 

Benigno Boulevard is the first intersection on Route 168 located immediately to the north of New Jersey Turnpike Interchange 3. The local roadway serves as a connection to Route 42 northbound. The project, which began with preliminary work and utility relocations in fall 2011, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check DOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here