With first snow on the way
NJDOT advises motorists to drive carefully
The New Jersey Department of Transportation today advised motorists to be alert and drive carefully tomorrow morning due to the season’s first significant snowfall.
"Usually the first snow or ice storm of the season results in more accidents and fender-benders because motorists haven’t adjusted to the change in conditions," said Deputy Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere. "This storm may hit on the busiest travel day of the year, and we are asking motorists to use care and caution when driving. Give yourself more time, drive slower, and leave plenty of room between you and the motorist in front of you."
The NJDOT will begin the snow season with approximately 130,000 tons of salt on hand for use on New Jersey’s 16,000 lane miles of interstate and state highways, including shoulder areas. NJDOT also has 552,000 gallons of liquid calcium on hand, which is mixed in with the salt to increase its effectiveness, and has on hand 7,000 tons of sand.
NJDOT has more than 600 trucks ready to plow snow and spread salt. In the event of a major storm, NJDOT will augment its forces with over 1,100 contractor trucks. Contractors have been assigned specific highway segments and will be called out on an as-needed basis.
The NJDOT also coordinates snow removal activities with the state’s other transportation agencies and State Police from its Emergency Control Center, or Snow Room, located at department headquarters in Ewing Township.
The Department has budgeted $14.8 million for winter weather operations in 2002-2003.
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