Garden State Parkway Bridge Work Complete

MYFOXNY.COM - Driving down to the Jersey shore just got easier, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend. But it also just got a bit more expensive because once again, gas prices are creeping up. Everyone who plans to celebrate the unofficial start to summer at the shore is getting some good news about the roads.

WATCH CHRISTINE PERSICHETTE'S REPORT (VIDEO, LEFT)

The $225 million reconstruction project on the Driscoll Bridge is complete. The bridge has been the scene of major tie-ups for drivers heading to and from the Jersey Shore. The bridge has been expanded to 15 lanes from 12 and has larger capacity than the George Washington Bridge.

"The Driscoll Bridge is not only an important commuter link on the most heavily traveled toll road in America, but it's also the gateway to the Jersey Shore for a lot of people in Central and North Jersey," said Gov. Jon S. Corzine. "The hundreds of thousands of parkway patrons who cross the Raritan River on their way to the Shore this weekend for the start of the summer season are less likely than ever before to sit in traffic on the Driscoll Bridge."

Belmar's Mayor Ken Pringle is happy to hear of the improvements.

"You only have to have one bad experience coming down to the shore on that bridge and it scars you for life," Mayor Pringle said.

Many drivers who have been scarred by the traffic nightmares on the bridge reacted positively to the completed project, but some said the traffic problems on the parkway will still be a problem.

"Once you get off the bridge it's still congested," said one driver. "So I don't know why they spent all this money on that. Get rid of the toll booths."

Despite the gas prices, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority expects nearly 7.4 million cars to use the Garden State Parkway from Thursday through Tuesday.

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