News Flash

(Glassboro)— Gloucester County has completed the connection of two existing roadways under the CR 641 Spur Phase II project located in the Borough of Glassboro and Township of Harrison, Gloucester County.

 “This project began in December 2019 and we are excited to open this for residents. The roadway will now provide alternative access to US 322 via Ellis Mill Road (CR 641) and Route 55,” said Director Robert M. Damminger. “This is the culmination of a lot of hard work and I’m sure this project will have a large impact on the whole region.” 

The connection of these roadways will ensure auxiliary access to the recently constructed Inspira Medical Center. The Mullica Hill hospital is a major regional healthcare facility that opened in 2019 and houses 210 private beds, including 18 maternity suites, a pediatric emergency room, special care nursery, and cancer center.

To accommodate the Medical Center’s construction, the existing asphalt paved roadway known as Neale Road was relocated several hundred feet to the east, such that its intersection with US Route 322 was approximately 1,100 feet to the southeast of the Route 55 North Exit 50 on-ramp. The existing roadway was also extended to the south and east under Phase I, nearly to the Harrison Township/Glassboro Borough municipal boundary, to facilitate a secondary access roadway for the hospital. 

The alignment of Neale Road was planned such that connection would be made with Dr. Leo J. McCabe Blvd. formerly Acorn Road. Dr. Leo J. McCabe Blvd. intersects Ellis Mill Road within the Borough of Glassboro approximately 800 feet to the east of the Route 55 North Exit 48 onramp. 

“This connector road will have great impact to the county,” said Commissioner Simmons. “Previously, emergency access to the hospital was significantly impaired in the event of a traffic incident or closure of Route 55 or US Route 322. With the new connector roadway in place, emergency vehicles can proceed directly to the hospital from Ellis Mill Road if necessary. Depending on your direction, this road puts you right next to the heart of two Gloucester County towns, Mullica Hill and Glassboro, where individuals can enjoy shopping and dining locally.” 

Simmons also notes that the roadway connection also provides access to the South Jersey Technology Park and athletic fields. Furthermore, additional access to Rowan University will support the campus’ continued development. 

Dr. Leo McCabe Blvd. is named after Glassboro Mayor Leo McCabe who began his service to Glassboro in 1964 as a member of the Planning Board.

He served on the Glassboro Board of Education from 1973 to 1992 and was president of the Glassboro education foundation from 1998 to 2001. He took the reins as mayor in 2002 and served four terms retiring in May 2018.

“Leo was integral to the revitalization of Glassboro and successfully led council and all borough departments to expand Glassboro’s significant regional impact,” said Freeholder Heather Simmons, liaison to the department of Public Works. “He spent 17 years reshaping Glassboro into the city we know and love so we are so happy to be able to honor Mayor McCabe.” 

For more information, please visit www.gloucestercountynj.gov/.

Pictured: Council President George Cossabone, Sr., Commissioner Heather Simmons and Harrison Mayor Lou Manzo