New Jersey Officials Say Safety Trumps Leafy on Parkway

The clearing of trees from the median of a 16-mile stretch of the Garden State Parkway is raising some eyebrows.

Some motorists are complaining the work between Wall and Toms River is stripping the parkway of the features that distinguish it from the Turnpike.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which runs the parkway, tells the Asbury Park Press the work will improve safety on a stretch of road that has had six fatal crashes in two years.

As part of the $330 million project, the median will be used to return full-sized shoulders lost when lanes were added.

Turnpike director Veronique Hakim says motorists who veer off the road need a zone to recover.

She says grass, wildflowers and trees will be planted when the project is done.