Parkway Exit 109 Improvement Plans Unveiled

If you've ever gotten off the Parkway at exit 109 on the Red Bank/Lincroft border, especially during rush hour, you know things can be a little...chaotic.

The NJ Turnpike Authority is planning improvements to the area to make it easier for drivers to navigate.

The jughandle/exit ramp from the Parkway at exit 109 in Lincroft/Red Bank. (Google Maps)

Tonight, April 23rd, from 4:30-7:30, they'll host a public session in the Middletown Public Library Community Room (55 New Monmouth Rd. in Middletown) to present the proposed plans and answer questions.

Some of the changes include:

constructing a flyover ramp from eastbound Newman Springs Rd./Rt. 520 to the northbound Garden State Parkway.
eliminating the jughandle from eastbound Newman Springs Rd./Rt. 520 to Half Mile Rd.
adding lanes to eastbound Newman Springs Rd./Rt. 520.
replacing the four existing Parkway bridges over Newman Springs Rd./Rt 520
Reconfiguring some of the intersections along Newman Springs Rd./Rt.520 in the area, including Half Mile Rd., Schultz Dr., and Phoenix Dr.

NJ.com reports that this plan will also include expanding the Park and Ride commuter lot at Newman Springs Rd./Rt. 520 and Half Mile Rd.

Past proposals have also suggested changing the exit from the northbound Parkway lanes with a new, separate lane exiting west of Half Mile Rd. for drivers wanting to make a left turn onto westbound Newman Springs Rd./Rt. 520.

It's sure to be a headache while the construction is on-going, but sounds like it would eventually improve the traffic in the area.

The Turnpike Authority says the work is scheduled to begin in 2017 and be completed in 2019.