With plans in the works to build a new hospital and a shopping plaza at the Route 322/55 interchange in Harrison Township, county officials want to study future traffic needs in the area.
The county is asking for state funding to determine if a bypass is needed to alleviate traffic congestion along Route 322 in the area between the interchange and the Rowan University campus in Glassboro.
Four years ago, Gloucester County officials cut the ribbon on another Route 322 bypass that took traffic around Mullica Hill, alleviating a traffic nightmare in that area. Now, officials hope the same can be done on another stretch of 322.
Inspira Health Network plans to build a 210-bed, $349 million hospital on land it purchased from Rowan University. The main entry avenue off Route 322 into the hospital parking areas will consist of four lanes. Turn lanes will be added to 322, along with a traffic light at the entry road.
Funding for the study would come from the recently reauthorized state Transportation Trust Fund and could be approved by next summer, Freeholder Director Bob Damminger said in a statement.