10 people killed on this N.J. highway stretch in the past 4 years. Legislators demand changes.
South Jersey Lawmakers Call for Safety Review After Series of Fatal Crashes on Route 55
A growing number of deadly crashes on a section of Route 55 in Gloucester County has prompted South Jersey lawmakers to urge the New Jersey Department of Transportation to take a closer look at the highway and determine whether safety improvements are needed.
Route 55 stretches for more than 40 miles through Gloucester and Cumberland counties and serves as one of South Jersey’s most important travel corridors. While it connects drivers to several major highways and provides a direct route for commuters and travelers, one section in Gloucester County has become the focus of increasing concern because of repeated fatal crashes in recent years.
According to state legislators, the Gloucester County portion of Route 55 has recorded 10 fatal crashes over the past four years. The number of deadly incidents has raised questions about whether additional safety measures or roadway improvements could help reduce future tragedies.
This week alone, the highway experienced two major incidents that disrupted traffic for several hours. One crash involved an overturned tractor-trailer, while another wrong-way collision claimed the life of a motorist. Both incidents resulted in lengthy road closures and renewed concerns about safety along the busy roadway.
The recent crashes follow several other fatal incidents that have occurred this year. Earlier this month, two people lost their lives after their vehicle left the rain-slicked roadway. In March, another driver was killed in a separate crash on the same highway. These incidents bring the total number of fatalities on the Gloucester County section of Route 55 to four within a single year.
In response, a bipartisan group of South Jersey legislators has formally requested that the New Jersey Department of Transportation examine the roadway and the circumstances surrounding the repeated fatal crashes. Their request asks transportation officials and cooperating agencies to study both the highway’s design and the factors that may have contributed to the collisions.
The lawmakers said they are seeking a thorough review to better understand why these serious crashes continue to occur and to identify possible safeguards that could improve safety for motorists traveling through the area. Their goal is to help prevent future accidents and reduce the risk of additional fatalities.
The letter was signed by Assembly members William Moen Jr., Dan Hutchinson, Heather Simmons, William Spearman, Cody Miller and Dave Bailey Jr., along with state senators Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Paul Moriarty and John Burzichelli, whose districts include the affected section of Route 55.
As of the information provided, the New Jersey Department of Transportation has not publicly responded to the lawmakers’ request for comment.
Route 55 begins in Deptford Township in Gloucester County and extends south to Maurice River Township in Cumberland County. It serves as a key transportation route connecting motorists to Route 42, the Atlantic City Expressway, the New Jersey Turnpike, Interstate 295 and Interstate 76 leading toward Philadelphia. Because of its importance to regional travel, lawmakers believe understanding the causes behind the repeated fatal crashes is essential to improving safety for everyone who uses the highway.
Sources
- New Jersey Department of Transportation (Official)
- Letter from South Jersey members of the New Jersey Legislature to the New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner (Official)
