BRICK – The arson that closed the Garden State Parkway for several hours last week will likely cost millions of dollars to repair, New Jersey Turnpike Authority officials said.
At this time, engineers and inspectors are still investigating the damage from the fire that was set in the culvert that runs under the Parkway near Exit 91.
“It’s going to be in the millions, we don’t have a firm estimate yet,” Tom Feeney, a Turnpike Authority spokesman, said.
The culvert is a concrete structure that is part of the original construction of the Parkway. It’s about 5 feet in diameter and 300 feet long, running west of the southbound lanes under the Parkway to east of the northbound lanes by Exit 91.
Feeney said the concrete was reinforced with a resin lining that cured to the concrete years ago. Due to the fire that resin lining was severely damaged, Feeney said.
New Jersey State Police are seeking the public’s help to identify the suspects responsible for the fire. Police said the suspects were seen running into the Evergreen Woods Park Apartment Complex that runs parallel to the Garden State Parkway after the fire was set.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, the events leading up to it or any other information is urged to contact the Troop “D” Criminal Investigation Office-Holmdel Station at 732-441-4576. Anonymous tips are welcome.
