Garden State Parkway drivers could get some relief from back-ups caused by crashes after New Jersey Turnpike Authority officials approved plans to hire maintenance workers next year to clear fender benders more quickly during the evening rush.

The additional workers are among 23 new jobs being added at a cost of $3.4 million and included in the authority's $538.9 million 2018 operating budget, which commissioners approved Tuesday. The authority operates the Parkway.

The budget calls for hiring 10 maintenance workers, some of whom will make up a shift of 12 people assigned to cover the late day rush on the Parkway, said Tom Feeney, a Turnpike Authority spokesman.

"It's being done for safety. One of the highest accident areas is from the Driscoll Bridge to Exit 155 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.," said John O'Hern, authority deputy executive director. "We're expanding coverage on the Parkway to clear accidents."

Now, the Parkway maintenance shift ends at 3 p.m., and workers are called-in on overtime during the late afternoon and evening, O'Hern said. The Turnpike already has 24-hour maintenance coverage.

Between January and September there have been 7,210 crashes on the Parkway, according to State Police statistics. Traffic deaths on the Parkway spiked to 32 people killed in 29 crashes last year, making it the deadliest year on the toll road since 2007.

The agency also plans to hire 17 state troopers to patrol the Parkway and Turnpike.

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. Find NJ.com on Facebook.