Urban to
design
elimination of Marlton Circle
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The New Jersey Department of Transportation has selected Urban for final scope development, initial/final design and construction engineering services to eliminate the Marlton Circle at the intersection of Routes 70 and 73 in Evesham Township, Burlington County, New Jersey. The traffic circle will be replaced with a grade-separated interchange that will enable Route 73 to pass over Route 70. Urban will also spearhead a proactive public outreach program, and if directed by NJDOT, develop an interactive project website.

New Jersey was a pioneer in the development of the traffic circles in the United States. The first to be introduced was in Pennsauken in 1925. The concept was to permit a greater volume of traffic to pass through the intersection without having to stop. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s 67 traffic circles were built in New Jersey. As long as traffic volumes remained low the circles were an acceptable mechanism. As volumes and speeds increased, the efficiency and safety of the circles decreased to the point that elimination was necessary. Elimination is generally handled by removing the circle and installing a traffic signal or by grade-separating the roadways. Of the original 67 traffic circles in New Jersey, only 30 remain.

Approximately 80,000 vehicles per day pass through the Marlton Circle. The objective of the $30 million construction project, which is expected to be completed by 2007, is to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on Routes 70 and 73.