NJDOT plans for Labor Day weekend

NJDOT Commissioner Kris Kolluri announced that beginning at 6 a.m. on Friday, August 29 all construction work that affects travel lanes on state highways will be suspended through Noon on Tuesday, September 2. Lane closures will be permitted for emergency reasons only.

“NJDOT is promoting safety by suspending construction on state highways, urging drivers to obey the speed limit and increasing emergency service patrols that offer roadside assistance such as motor fuel and tire changes,” Governor Jon S. Corzine said. “In addition, I encourage motorists to take advantage of our improved 511 telephone service regarding traffic updates, weather and construction conditions and to also check out our new real-time traffic website, www.511nj.org.”

In addition to suspending construction work, NJDOT also announced the following statewide highway safety initiatives:

• NJDOT will extend the hours of operation of the Statewide Emergency Service Patrols (ESP) over the holiday weekend. ESP helps stranded drivers with extra gas, tire changes and other services.
• The new, state-of-the-art Statewide Traffic Management Center which enables the NJDOT, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the New Jersey State Police to improve their management of and response to accidents, adverse weather, special events and congestion. The 26,000 square foot facility operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
• NJDOT recently launched its new real time traffic Web site, www.511nj.org, which offers interactive maps and displays traffic incidents. The Google Maps-based Web site offers motorists real time traffic conditions on State highways, interstate highways, the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike. The Web site highlights incidents, construction, weather and special events.
• Drivers are encouraged to call the following numbers for roadside assistance or to report a disabled vehicle, roadside debris or other problems;
  - On the Turnpike, call #95.
  - On the Parkway, call #GSP (#477).
  - On the Atlantic City Expressway, call #ACE (#223).
  - To report aggressive driving on any road, call #77.
  - Motorists should continue to dial 911 for emergencies.

Calls are toll and airtime free with most major New Jersey cellular suppliers. Any motorist with a cellular phone can expedite aid to disabled vehicles by simply dialing this number. Callers should note the nearest mile marker, the direction of travel and a description of the vehicle.

• Drivers can also find updated information on all roads, 24 hours a day, at www.511nj.org and www.njcommuter.com.

Express E-ZPass is now available at eight toll plazas along the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, including the Bergen Toll Plaza. Express E-ZPass allows E-ZPass customers to travel through toll areas at normal driving speeds, due to the removal of certain toll barriers and the addition of E-ZPass sensors on an overhead gantry. At each location, traditional E-ZPass and cash lanes are also available.

Friday is expected to be the most heavily traveled day, with the highest volume between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. On the New Jersey Turnpike, the heaviest traffic will be on Interchanges 1-4, 11, 14, 18W and just south of 8A at the merge. On the Parkway, the heaviest traffic will be from the Union Toll Plaza through the Toms River Toll Plaza.

NJDOT urges motorists to exercise caution while driving this last weekend of summer. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of three and 33 in the United States.