def # 66 04/14/11
COUNTY OFFICIALS PLEASED TO HEAR PARKWAY WORK
WILL END AS THEY USHER IN TOURISM SEASON
TOMS RIVER - Ocean County officials today said they are pleased to learn the work to widen the Garden State Parkway
through about 13-miles of the county is expected to be completed by Memorial Day weekend.
"This is great news for the thousands of motorists that use the parkway to get to their vacation destinations in
addition to jobs and home," said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Tourism
Advisory Council. "Our visitors and local commuters have been very patient during the project. Now drivers can enjoy the
convenience of a widened roadway."
Construction of the widening project from Exit 63 in Stafford Township to Exit 80 in Beachwood began in June 2009. An
additional lane has been added in each direction along with wider shoulders.
"Ocean County is a mecca for tourism," Vicari said. "We are host to hundreds of thousands of people from the tri-state area
all of which pack onto the Garden State Parkway throughout the summer months and beyond in order to get to their destinations
in Ocean County. In addition, tourists making their way to Atlantic City and other shore points like Wildwood and Cape May
are using the roadway.
"At times, the parkway can look like a parking lot in Ocean County," he noted. "It will be nice to see much less congestion
as drivers use a better and safer roadway."
Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety, said that the Garden State Parkway serves as Ocean County’s
main evacuation route for hurricanes, forest fires and other emergency events natural or manmade.
"It is essential we move motorists safely, and more importantly we need to make certain that in case of an emergency we
have an evacuation route that can accommodate our residents and visitors," Kelly said. "I commend the Turnpike Authority
for making this road safer and for completing the project in a timely manner. The end result will benefit our residents."
Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little, who also is a resident of Surf City on Long Beach Island, added that the state’s
completion of the work earlier than expected bodes well for Ocean County.
"With summer approaching and more motorists using the parkway, they will find the wider roadway a better driving
experience," Little said. "The Board of Freeholders does all it can to provide the best road network possible for residents
and visitors. It’s important we all work together to not only move traffic but to do it safely."
Freeholder James F. Lacey, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Road Department, said the county has had a longstanding
relationship with the Turnpike Authority, working hand in hand to improve interchanges along the parkway.
"To date, this Board has assisted the Authority with bringing improvements to interchanges 63, 67, 69, 77, and 80. And, we
are working on 88/89 and 91. These expanded interchanges have helped to improve the flow of traffic not only on the Parkway
but also on local roadways," Lacey said. "These improvements along with the widening work will help keep the flow of
current day traffic moving along this roadway."
