Governor Codey, NJDOT announce
contingency plan for possible NYC transit strike
(Trenton)- Commissioner Jack Lettiere along with Acting Governor Richard J. Codey today announced the New Jersey Department of Transportation's (NJDOT) plan to provide commuters relief in the event of a New York City transit strike.
"We want to stress that commuters will not be on their own should a strike occur," said Codey. "The State of New Jersey has laid the groundwork to ensure that our response is helpful to everyone who travels to New York."
“NJDOT will work with our partners at NJ TRANSIT, NJ Turnpike Authority and the State Police to mitigate the effects of traffic shifts, vehicle restrictions and possible congestion in the event of a New York City transit strike,” Lettiere said. “While NJDOT hopes that this contingency plan will not be necessary, we are prepared to provide information and assistance throughout the strike to New Jersey residents who travel to New York.”
The NJDOT will take all possible measures to minimize any inconvenience to motorists and commuters, and strongly urges motorists and commuters to consider all available alternatives to driving should a strike go into effect.
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Parking capacity is available at Park and Ride facilities located at the following facilities: PNC Arts Center , located at Exit 116 of the Garden State Parkway in Holmdel, Monmouth County and Vince Lombardi Rest Area, located between New Jersey Turnpike Exits 18E/18W and the George Washington Bridge in Ridgefield, Bergen County. Buses to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, located on 8th Avenue between 40 th and 42 nd Streets in Manhattan, will be available at these facilities.
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Additional parking capacity will be made available at the Vince Lombardi Rest Area truck parking lots if necessary.
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Parking capacity is available at rail stations located at Montclair State University, at 100 Clove Road in Little Falls, and Ramsey-Route 17 and at the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail station at Liberty State Park , located between Communipaw and Johnston avenues in Jersey City.
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Parking locations will be available and open to commuters wishing to utilize bus or train service into New York City. These parking facilities will also be open to commuters seeking to carpool into New York City. Commuters may independently arrange carpools at these sites.
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Variable Message Signs will be in place along key state highways including Routes 3, 17, 78, 80, 287 and 1 & 9 and the Turnpike and Parkway to advise motorists of conditions in real time.
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In response to the proposed commercial vehicle prohibition, the New Jersey State Police will use Lot 18 at Giants Stadium as a staging area for commercial vehicles from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The lot will provide a safe staging area for commercial vehicles to use should a rush hour delivery prohibition take effect in New York City. State Police representatives will be stationed at the staging area to assist motorists and provide information.
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NJ TRANSIT will deploy additional customer service representatives to assist customers at Hoboken Station, Newark Penn Station, New York Penn Station and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
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NJ TRANSIT will cross-honor tickets to enable customers to use NJ TRANSIT tickets and passes interchangeably on bus, rail or light rail lines.
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NJ TRANSIT's Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line connects to New York-bound PATH trains and NY Waterway ferries.
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The N.J. Turnpike Authority will provide additional cash lanes at tolls on the Turnpike.
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The N.J. Turnpike Authority will locate towing equipment on its Hudson Bay Extension to quickly move any disabled vehicles blocking a lane of traffic.
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NJDOT will expand the hours of its existing Emergency Service Patrols on routes 78, 80, 287, and 280 in order to assist motorists with disabled vehicles.
NJDOT will keep motorists informed through updates on the web at www.njcommuter.com, www.njdot.nj.gov and www.trips123.com.
Carpool information can be found by calling (800) 245-POOL or visiting our Park and Ride Locator web site. NJ TRANSIT will provide travel alerts and advisories at their web site: www.njtransit.com.
Information and updates also will be available on the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's website, www.panynj.gov, and New York City's website, www.nyc.gov.
