New Ramps In Beachwood, Local Lanes For Toms River: See Parkway Exits 80-83 Proposal

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Traveling the Garden State Parkway through Toms River could become easier under a proposal from the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to widen lanes and add new ramps from Toms River to Beachwood/South Toms River.

The goal is to improve travel time and safety along the 3.5-mile stretch, the turnpike authority said, where it says crash statistics are above state averages. It also would address shortcomings of the highway that was originally constructed in the 1950s in the area that don't meet current highway standards.

The proposed improvements are posted on the turnpike authority’s website, with a video presentation explaining the proposed changes, along with a solicitation from the turnpike authority for public comment.

The project, which is still in preliminary stages, could begin construction in 2025 and the turnpike authority estimates four years for the work to be completed.

Southbound Parkway drivers would see the biggest changes, and they are similar to the design that exists for Exits 89A-B-C in Brick and Lakewood.

Beginning just south of milepost 83, the proposal would add two full lanes divided by a concrete median from three through lanes. There would be a merge lane for drivers getting on the Parkway southbound from Indian Head Road that would continue to where drivers exit onto westbound Route 37. It would be two lanes in that stretch for drivers getting off for Route 37 east to go to Seaside Heights and those getting on the Parkway southbound from Route 37 west.

A merge lane would be added for drivers getting on the Parkway southbound from Route 37 east, and the three lanes divided from the through traffic would continue past Exit 81, where drivers headed south would be able to merge into through traffic.

At Exit 81, the existing southbound exit ramp for Lakehurst Road would be shifted north, with drivers exiting before they reach the Lakehurst Road overpass. It would connect at the existing traffic light on Lakehurst Road that controls left turns from the current exit.

The existing northbound Parkway exit and entrance at 81 would be reconfigured to connect with the proposed roundabout connecting Highland Parkway, Water Street and Lakehurst Road east of the Parkway that is part of the controversial downtown Toms River redevelopment project. The roundabout would be paid for through a $5.6 million federal grant provided Toms River pays $1.5 million of the cost.

The Parkway proposal also would create two lanes northbound with a concrete median separating them from the through traffic of the Parkway, allowing people to use the Route 9 connection from Exit 80 to the current Exit 82 without forcing them to merge into the main traffic. Drivers going north past the current Exit 82A would merge into traffic beyond the Route 37 area.

In both the north and southbound connectors, drivers who accidentally end up in the outside lanes will be able to reconnect to the main Parkway through traffic; they will not be forced to exit.

The cloverleaf ramps at Route 37 would be expanded both north and south at the interchange.

Exits 81, 82 and 82A would be renamed 82A, 82B and 82C, respectively.

The proposal would add two new ramps at Exit 80 in Beachwood/South Toms River. One would allow drivers to get on the southbound Parkway from Double Trouble Road near Dover Road, and add a traffic light at the Double Trouble intersection with Railroad Avenue, where drivers turning left onto Double Trouble exit now. The second ramp would allow northbound traffic to get off the Parkway onto Route 9 south.

The Turnpike Authority proposal says several bridges would be replaced and upgraded, and the shoulders throughout the stretch widened to meet current highway standards.

Comments on the proposal can be emailed to GSP80to83@njta.com; the deadline is Thursday, April 13. They can be sent by U.S. Postal Service to New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Engineering Department, P.O. Box 5042, Woodbridge, NJ 07095-0542, Attn: Vincent Mignella, P.E., Project Engineer.

Proposed Garden State Parkway changes, Exits 80-83 by Karen Wall on Scribd