By Steffen Klenk
Some changes are coming to the Garden State Parkway and Atlantic Expressway. New construction is heading for these New Jersey roads, hopefully easing traffic congestion in the future. To finance these improvements, tolls for both the Parkway and Expressway are going up. While this is inconvenient, these roadway improvements will make it easier than ever to commute to the South Jersey shore. A quick look at history reveals how vital the Garden State Parkway and Atlantic Expressway are.
During the 19th century, passenger trains were an essential mode of transportation. Construction began on South Jersey’s first rail line in 1852, a service that would carry passengers between Camden and Atlantic City. On July 4, 1854, the Camden and Atlantic Railroad was in full operation. Here’s an interesting fact: the term “shoobie” derives from daytrippers who took the train and were given a shoebox that included a packed lunch included with their rail ticket. It later referred to anyone who brought a picnic lunch to the beach.
Train service remained popular until the mid-1900s when automobiles became widely used. Interstates were picking up steam, as families would travel long distances to vacation and see relatives.
In 1952, the New Jersey Highway Authority was created to oversee the building of toll roads that would span the entire state north to south, from Cape May to the New York state line. Landscape engineer and architect Gilmore David Clarke came up with a prototype for the new Parkway, using examples of the German Autobahn and Pennsylvania Turnpike. The Parkway’s design gave the road a natural feel, with the planting of trees, no distracting billboards, and gentle curves so that drivers would remain alert and not fall asleep behind the wheel.
State Senator Frank S. Farley and other South Jersey officials pushed for the creation of an expressway to help drive more visitors to the region. In 1958, traffic studies were conducted between Turnersville and Atlantic City and by 1962, construction was underway on a future toll-road connecting the city to the shore. By 1965, the Atlantic City Expressway was open to passengers.
To this day, both roadways continue to provide quick and easy access to all major cities and suburbs across our region. Soon, travelers along the Parkway will notice new road construction. The New Jersey Transportation Authority is hoping to ease congestion, especially with an increasing number of travelers on the road. Construction has recently begun to expand the Parkway in both directions, adding an extra lane of traffic between the Exit 36 interchange (Egg Harbor Township) and Exit 30 (Somers Point/Ocean City).
Improvements are also set to be made to several entrance and exit ramps. The NJ Transportation Authority plans to convert Exit 29 into a full interchange, allowing cars to enter and exit the Parkway from the south end of Somers Point. While specific plans are still being laid out, there are no details on what will happen to Exit 30.
To keep up with the ever-growing demand for technology and new construction projects, both the Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway tolls have recently increased. As of September 13th, travelers along the Parkway will notice a 27% increase in tolls, up from $1.75 to $1.90, while ACX drivers can expect to pay 37% more on their commute.
For those of us who don’t have EZPass, don’t forget to bring some spare change for your commute.
Steffen Klenk is a multimedia journalist. He resides in Ocean City and enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life.
