Where Are The A.C. Expressway Wildflowers?

by KYW's David Madden

You may have seen the signs along the Atlantic City Expressway, thanking patrons for providing money to plant wildflowers along the highway.  Only the wildflowers are few and far between.  What's going on?

While a lot of pet projects have fallen victim to tight budgets.  The highway beautification work along the expressway is NOT one of them.  In fact, Sharon Gordon with the South Jersey Transportation Authority says 27 acres of wildflowers were planted.  A little later than normal, thanks to the wet spring.  And now:

"We expect that when this heat wave passes that they will be in full bloom."

And just in case you're wondering why they bother to plant them in the first place, consider this -- 27 fewer acres to mow, saving 450 work hours, not to mention about $1,000 an acre when you take gas and equipment costs into account.