BRICK – Finishing touches are being added to the reconfiguration of Garden State Parkway Exit 91, with the entrance ramp on Lanes Mill Road east of the Parkway set to open “on or about” Thursday, August 10, according to the Ocean County Engineering Department.
The reconfiguration of Exit 91 west of the Parkway has been open since May 16, when new traffic signals were activated to reflect new entrance and exit ramps for Parkway South.
The improvements added northbound and southbound entrance and exit ramps to Exit 91. Previously, the interchange only allowed vehicles to enter the Parkway northbound, and exit southbound. The redesign will also allow for easier access to the Park-N-Ride commuter lots located east and west of the Parkway.
“This is one of our most far-reaching designs to upgrade a Parkway interchange,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari. “We’ve worked closely with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and Brick Township to redesign this interchange to meet the needs of the region’s growing population,” Vicari said. “This area is home to a large number of commuters and this will help ease their ride to and from work. It also will help with summer visitors accessing Ocean County.”
Ocean County officials are hoping the new redesign will help ease traffic on Lanes Mill and Burnt Tavern Roads, as well as reduce congestion at Exit 90 near Chambers Bridge Road.
The last traffic changes needed to complete the construction are gradually being phased in, starting with the traffic signal on Lanes Mill Road, which was put into flash operation on August 7. The signal will be fully functioning when the new Parkway North entrance ramp opens.
Drivers traveling westbound on Burnt Tavern Road and southbound on Lanes Mill Road will be directed via signage to use the new Parkway entrance ramp. Drivers traveling eastbound on Burnt Tavern Road and northbound on Burrsville Road can continue using the existing northbound Parkway entrance ramp.
“We anticipate the bulk of the work will be completed in about a month,” said Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. “Once all the traffic signals are working properly, signage has been installed and the remainder of the work is done, the improvements at the interchange will be open to motorists. We are looking forward to completing this work,” Kelly said.
Once completed, the redesigned Exit 91 will provide:
- A new northbound entrance ramp from Burnt Tavern Road and Lanes Mill Road, with access to the Park-N-Ride lot on the east side of the Parkway.
- A second northbound entrance ramp for vehicles traveling eastbound on Burnt Tavern Road. This ramp will also allow access from Burrsville Road. The single existing northbound ramp will be eliminated.
- A new northbound exit ramp linking the Parkway and Burrsville Road.
- A new southbound entrance ramp for traffic heading west on Burnt Tavern Road.
- A second southbound entrance ramp linking Lanes Mill Road with the Parkway. Herborn Avenue would be extended south and east to Lanes Mill Road, where it would meet the new entrance ramp at a signaled intersection.
- Southbound Parkway traffic could exit at the existing ramp or continue under the Burnt Tavern Road Bridge and use a new ramp that will link with Lanes Mill Road at a second new signaled interchange.
