The state spent four years and $155.1 million fixing what’s under the wheels on Route 70: new traffic signals, new pavement, better drainage and new sidewalks.
Now the county is turning to the view outside the window.
The Camden County Commissioners are partnering with the New Jersey Department of Transportation on a beautification plan for the nine-mile stretch of Route 70 that runs through the county. The plan puts native perennial plants in the median as the state finishes its corridor safety and improvement project.
That’s a lot of new landscaping along a road that carries more than 40,000 cars a day.
Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. gave credit to the state for creating a more aesthetically pleasing highway, he said. Cappelli said the perennial native plants that truly represent the Garden State.
“Moving forward, this work will redefine Route 70 and ultimately make our community a better place to live,” he said.
N.J. DOT Commissioner Priya Jain said the landscaping idea grew out of talks with the county.
“Working with Camden County, we identified an opportunity to incorporate landscaping in the median to enhance the appearance of the Route 70 corridor,” she said. “This is a good example of what can happen when state and local partners bring different perspectives to the same project,” she said.
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The beautification comes on top of a much bigger job.
The state project began in 2022. It upgrades traffic signals at 27 intersections, adds or replaces four electronic message signs, improves drainage and sidewalks and resurfaces about nine miles of Route 70 between Route 38 in Pennsauken and Cooper Avenue in Evesham. The North Maple Avenue loop ramps and the Route 70/Route 73 interchange ramps are also being repaved.
The DOT expects to finish by winter.
The county has done this kind of beautification before. Medians with native plants and decorative lighting have gone in along Springdale Road, Cuthbert Boulevard, Chapel Avenue and Grove Street.
State Sen. James Beach (D-Voorhees) said the county has a track record on Route 70 in particular.
“Camden County has always stepped forward to give this highway a facelift; whether it was the wildflower program or the lawn maintenance they know the value of creating a real sense of place,” he said.
Local officials see a business angle too. Pennsauken’s Patrick Olivo said first impressions count.
“Our community continues to grow, evolve, and invest in its future, and the appearance of our major roadways plays an important role in how residents feel about their community and how visitors and prospective businesses view our township,” he said.
Cherry Hill Mayor Dave Fleisher said his township had been pushing for this for a while.
“We have been advocating for the beautification of the Route 70 project, and pleased that the county has stepped in to make it happen,” he said.
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Commissioner Jeffrey Nash, a longtime advocate for county greening efforts, said the point is to make the road feel like it belongs somewhere.
“Now we will embark on a plan to ensure drivers and pedestrians know that they are in Camden County when they drive on this main thoroughfare,” he said.
After four years of road work, the county is betting on looks.
