Traffic Update At The Jersey Shore: 9-Mile Parkway Backup

JERSEY SHORE, NJ — Warmer temperatures are back after the cooler days that dominated this week, and that is drawing people to the Shore once more.

Traffic on the Garden State Parkway Friday afternoon was slowing down with increasing volume from the Raritan tolls on down through Ocean County, according to the state Department of Transportation website 511nj.org.

The website was showing traffic delays due to volume from the Raritan tolls to the Toms River toll plaza, with a 2-mile backup from the Monmouth Service Area south. Trips from the Raritan Bridge were taking more than 40 minutes just to reach the Belmar exits, according to 511nj.org.

The trip to the Long Beach Island exit was taking more than 90 minutes, according to 511nj.org.

There is a 9-mile delay as of 4 p.m. on the southern portion of the Parkway in Cape May County due to a crash in Dennis Township.

Motorists getting off the Parkway in Toms River are faced with a backup southbound on Route 166 into Beachwood due to volume.

The Accuweather forecast for Toms River, calls for temperatures in the mid-80s on Saturday and about 80 on Sunday, with a minimal chance of rain. Clouds are probable on Sunday, the forecast says.

Traffic eastbound on Route 72 was moderate, from views on the 511nj.org cameras, but with the weather expected to be nice, Saturday morning could see heavy traffic from daytrippers.

Traffic on Route 195 east, the Atlantic City Expressway and Routes 35 and 37 was flowing with light volume Friday night.

Saturday morning will likely see heavier traffic as Saturday is anticipated to be warmer and have more sunshine than Sunday. If you're headed home Sunday, be prepared for heavy volume as most Sundays have had jams on the Parkway in particular most of the afternoon.

Lifeguards are on duty throughout the shore. Need information on beach badges? Check out Patch's 2021 Jersey Shore Beach Guide: What To Know.

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