— Photo by Karen E. Viereck, Editor/Publisher
WOOLWICH TWP. — Gloucester County Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger, Freeholder Heather Simmons and Freeholder Lyman Barnes cut the ribbon on a newly constructed roundabout today at High Hill Road and Auburn Road in Swedesboro and Woolwich on July 26. The project was completed two months ahead of schedule.
“This intersection had a lot of issues, including railroad tracks, and a roundabout was chosen because it offers improved safety over other intersection forms and because roundabouts have fewer conflict points, slower speeds, and easier decision making for the traveling public,” said Freeholder Director Damminger.
He added that when comparing a roundabout to a signal, studies show that roundabouts provide a 90 percent reduction in fatal crashes, 75 percent reduction in injury crashes.
Freeholder Heather Simmons, Liaison to the Department of Public Works, said, “We made the decision to completely close these roads so that instead of constructing this project in two phases, we were able to work on the phases simultaneously and shaved months off the project.”
“I am grateful the residents of Swedesboro and the entire region for their patience during this construction,” Simmons said, “but the project is completed well ahead of schedule and now it will be safer for those who drive on these roads.”
The construction of the roundabout, which includes new signage, drainage and a drainage basin, was a State Aid funded project. The construction cost was $989,560.00 and South State Inc. was the contractor.
