A proposed South Jersey highway construction project is causing major concern for residents who have loved ones in a nearby cemetery.
For years, the area in Bellmawr where traffic merges onto I-76, I-295 and Route 42 has been a nightmare for motorists. In 2007, The New Jersey Department of Transportation began to work on solutions for the major traffic and congestion. One such solution is an overpass to I-295.
In order for the overpass to be built, workers would have to demolish a 300-year-old building which houses the office of the St. Mary Cemetery. The new road would also be built on six acres of empty land and be erected within 20 feet of the back end corner of St. Mary’s mausoleum.
While it wouldn’t disturb the graves, it would still cast shadows and dominate the skyline above the mausoleum. Even though NJDOT suggests sound barriers, some family members are uncomfortable with the noise and disturbance the overpass would cause.
“That isn’t going to affect the people in there that are buried,” said Joseph Iannece, whose wife is buried at the mausoleum. “It affects the family."
The Camden Diocese says they are willing to pay for families who want to relocate their loved ones on the property.
While NJDOT is pursuing the project, construction is still months, if not years, away.
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The Camden Diocese says it can no longer sell property behind the mausoleum. They also must tell future customers about the planned highway project.
