Fries Mill and Rt 322 Intersection Update from NJDOT – November 2024

The status of the major intersection work taking place at Fries Mill Road and Route 322 (Glassboro Road) has been at a standstill for more than a year and was recently updated by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and shared by Monroe Township.

This update was provided after a series of meetings took place in early October between NJDOT, Gloucester County Engineers and a private developer (for an approved Heritage’s Convenience store).

NJDOT/Monroe’s updated comments in October indicate that a water management foundation will be needed in all four quadrants of the intersection…and even more importantly at the recent meeting the NJDOT commissioner discussed the importance of the project and the need to resume construction before the end of the calendar year.

Concerns about water management

In June of this year, I wrote an article stating that the delays were related to concerns raised by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection about the necessary water basins to accommodate water runoff from the improved roadway. That updated work stoppage information was originally published by the Courier Post in January… and there is no progress happening on the construction site.

My June update shared that Monroe Township Mayor Greg Wolfe hosted a meeting consisting of recently appointed NJDOT Commissioner Francis O’Connor and his staff, as well as Gloucester County Engineers and a developer. That meeting seemed more about getting all parties “on the same page” regarding the project and the necessary efforts needed to move it forward.

Adding to the mix, the southeast corner of the Fries Mill Road intersection was also recently approved for a Heritage’s Dairy Convenience Store. There has been no construction movement on that project to date, which is likely influenced by the outstanding items still under review for the intersection project.

Last month (October 22^i.e) the Township of Monroe Facebook page posted an update on the Fries Mill intersection project… which is actually an update from O’Connor, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, who summarized a series of meetings that took place in October .

In summary, the DEP has several concerns regarding the water management basins for the intersection work, which appears to result in requiring basins for all four corners of the intersection, including changes to the water management efforts that were already part of the project scope.

Those October meetings are described as:

• October 3: A meeting was held between NJDOT and the county to discuss the importance of this project and the need to resume construction before the end of the calendar year.
• Oct. 8: County Engineers met with the developer regarding the southeast quadrant.
• Oct. 9: NJDOT arranged a meeting between NJDEP and the county to discuss the necessary permit application for a basin in the southwest quadrant.

One aspect that is not clear to me is the “Southwest Quadrant”. A large water basin had already been constructed at the rear of the large cleared site, which, although a considerable distance from the roadway, I believe was intended for the intersection effort. That said, the third point above seems to indicate that an additional basin will be needed in that area.

Below is the full, unedited commentary from Monroe Township’s Facebook post:

Mayor Wolfe wanted to keep our community informed about the Fries Mill Road and Glassboro Road project. We know there have been delays, but we are doing everything we can to restart this project.

Monroe Mayor Greg Wolfe has been in ongoing contact with New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Francis O’Connor regarding this project.

Commissioner O’Connor provided a recent update on the construction project at 322/Fries Mill Road.

“The department has had a series of discussions with Gloucester County Engineers.

October 3: A meeting was held between NJDOT and the county to discuss the importance of this project and the need to resume construction before the end of the calendar year.

Oct. 8: County Engineers met with the developer regarding the southeast quadrant.

Oct. 9: NJDOT arranged a meeting between NJDEP and the county to discuss the necessary permit application for a basin in the southwest quadrant.

The discussion regarding the northeast quadrant basin is ongoing. The county is actively working with South State to make necessary drainage improvements to ensure water flows toward the golf course, instead of 322.

The developer has agreed to carry out, at its own expense, the work necessary to ensure that the south-eastern basin accommodates 322’s water discharge. Although a major access permit from NJDOT is required to complete this step, the developer submitted its plans on Friday, October 18 at 9:20 p.m. We will expedite any necessary review.

Please know that I, together with the ministry, are committed to getting this job done.”

Mayor Wolfe would like to point to the notes from the October 3 meeting where the DOT Commissioner discussed the importance of this project and the need to resume construction before the end of the calendar year.

As we receive further updates, we will continue to post on our social media page

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