UPPER TOWNSHIP – Upper Township residents attended a public forum May 1 to express significant support for the construction of a full interchange at Exit 20 on the Garden State Parkway, prompting an official petition to be established for supporters to sign.
The petition, created by the Upper Township Economic Development Advisory Commission (UTEDAC), is available to sign at the Upper Township Municipal Building, 2100 Tuckahoe Rd., Petersburg. Those interested in circulating the petition to fellow residents are encouraged to pick up a copy of the petition at the municipal building.
The petition will be available to sign and circulate until June 1. Those circulating petitions are asked to return them to the municipal building.
Exit 20 of the Garden State Parkway, located near the very busy intersection of US Route 9 and US Route 50 in the Seaville section of Upper Township, Cape May County, is severely limited in that it provides only an exit for northbound traffic and an entrance for southbound traffic.
For over 30 years, the Upper Township Committee has repeatedly requested a full interchange at Exit 20 in order to provide an entrance and exit for both northbound and southbound traffic as well as provide a safe escape route in the event of an evacuation. As it stands, the lack of a full interchange is a critical safety issue, according to the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization’s 2016 Regional Transportation Plan.
In addition, with an increase in population of over 591 percent in Cape May County during the summer months, and with tourism being the economic lifeblood of the region, an efficient and sensible traffic management system at Exit 20 would be essential for the safety, convenience, and enjoyment of our residents and visitors.
In a November 2017 survey by the UTEDAC, 90 percent of those who responded indicated the desire for Exit 20 to be developed into a full interchange with access from Garden State Parkway South and access to Garden State Parkway North. Supporters agree that the interchange would ease traffic on Route 9 and Roosevelt Boulevard, ultimately making the route safer for bicyclists, pedestrians, and homeowners living along the road.
“We are working to establish a critical mass of support in the area for this project,” said Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt, chairwoman of the Upper Township Economic Development Advisory Commission.
Formed in April 2017, the UTEDAC mission is to work to enhance the many attributes that Upper Township has to offer. It is dedicated to helping create a more vibrant community by supporting opportunities for economic development through desirable sustainable business growth, expansion, retention and attraction, while working as partners in support of improving commerce and maintaining our great quality of life.
For more information about the UTEDAC, visit http://uppertownship.com/boards/economic-development-advisory-commission/.
For more information about Upper Township, visit uppertownship.com or call 609-628-2011.
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