Kolluri announces winter storm preparedness
(Trenton) - Commissioner Kris Kolluri today announced steps that the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is taking to prepare to clear snow and ice from roadways statewide during the anticipated winter storm.
NJDOT has filled its salt and liquid calcium inventories, fitted its trucks with plows and is ready to deploy personnel to ensure motorist safety. NJDOT maintains 32 remote weather stations along the state highway system that help keep crews informed of road conditions. These stations provide detailed information on weather and road conditions in specific regions of the state including air temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction and road and bridge surface temperatures.
Salt and Liquid Calcium Supply -
NJDOT has 112,000 tons of salt and 505,088 tons of liquid calcium chloride.
NJDOT for the first time has procured salt that is pre-treated with products that eliminate the need to apply liquid calcium chloride, thereby reducing dependence upon and maintenance of mechanized spray equipment. The pre-treated salt is cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Staffing and Equipment
850 NJDOT staff will fight today’s winter storm. NJDOT maintains 846 regular maintenance staff and 400 trained volunteers to administer its winter readiness program. If necessary, NJDOT will augment its forces with up to 1,265 contractor trucks.
Skid-resistant pavement
NJDOT installed a skid resistant overlay that absorbs anti-icing chemicals and then releases them when weather conditions demand protection from the formation of ice and snow on the roadway. The overlay, installed on Route 80 in Paterson, will help prevent crashes and improve safety.
Anti-icing station
NJDOT will operate an anti-icing station on I-78 at Jugtown Mountain in Bethlehem Township, Hunterdon County. This system uses liquid potassium acetate to prevent icing conditions.
NJDOT partner agencies
NJDOT's partners at NJ TRANSIT, The New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) are working with NJDOT to maintain safe conditions during the winter months.
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority has 45,000 tons of salt and 80,000 gallons of liquid calcium for use on the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway. The Turnpike Authority will fight the storm using 479 personnel and 301 pieces of equipment.
SJTA has 21 trucks out on the AC Expressway. They are in pre-positioned spots and will spread salt and plow as needed. SJTA keeps plows on all trucks, so they can plow immediately if the conditions warrant.
NJ TRANSIT has inspected over 750 switches and switch heaters, overhead wire systems, 12 moveable bridges and wayside power at storage yards and terminals. Rail mechanical personnel have inspected and winterized 900 rail cars and 100 diesel locomotives. Bus maintenance personnel have checked the heating systems, engine fluids, tires, windshield wipers, doors and airbrake systems in NJ TRANSIT's 2,100 buses. Equipment to plow snow and spread salt at such NJ TRANSIT facilities as bus garages and park-n-ride lots has also been readied for use. Two snow blowers powered by jet engines are ready to clear ice and snow from tracks and switches. Snow plows for diesel locomotives have been checked and are ready for use.
Funding
NJDOT has $11.3 million budgeted for winter 2006-2007 and additional emergency funds are available should the Department exhaust its initial allocation. The Department has spent $4.9 million to date.
