Bruce Springsteen declines to have New Jersey rest stop named in his honor
The New Jersey Turnpike has a history of naming its rest stops after important figures like Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Edison, but as the Garden State Parkway prepares to add a new set of tributes to its best and brightest, one key figure would prefer to, uh, sit this one out.
"Bruce Springsteen respectfully declined to have a service area named after him," New Jersey Hall of Fame spokesperson Natasha Alagarasan told NorthJersey.com.
The organization will mount displays paying homage to several stars and luminaries at the rest areas, which typically house convenience stores, fast food restaurants, and gas stations in one handy vicinity. Notables being honored include James Gandolfini, Whitney Houston, Jon Bon Jovi, author Judy Blume, salsa icon Celia Cruz, Frank Sinatra, novelist Toni Morrison, news anchor Connie Chung, and athlete Larry Doby, who will have stops named after them in places like Montvale and Monmouth.
Will Russell/Getty Images; Everett Collection While Bruce Springsteen declined to have a Garden State Parkway rest stop named after him, actor James Gandolfini will be receiving the honor.
The exhibits dedicated to them will include posters designed by New Jersey architect Michael Graves and include information about their achievements and Jersey roots.
"Millions of New Jersey drivers travel on the Garden State Parkway every day," said transportation commissioner Diane Scaccetti-Gutierrez, who oversees the Turnpike Authority that approved the project. "The service areas they visit during those travels are a fitting place to call attention to the accomplishments of their fellow New Jerseyans in the arts, entertainment, and sports."
While tired and hungry travelers won't be able to grab a coffee and cozy up to the Boss, Alagarasan insisted the rocker is still a proud, active, and enthusiastic Jerseyan, noting that he "has been very supportive of the New Jersey Hall of Fame over the years, and is very much a part of the fabric of the Hall."
See all the stops getting the star treatment below.
Montvale: James Gandolfini Service Area
Brookdale North: Larry Doby Service Area
Brookdale South: Connie Chung Service Area
Vauxhall: Whitney Houston Service Area
Cheesequake: Jon Bon Jovi Service Area
Monmouth: Judy Blume Service Area
Forked River: Celia Cruz Service Area
Atlantic: Frank Sinatra Service Area
Ocean View: Toni Morrison Service Area
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