|
|
|
P.O. Box 600
Trenton, NJ
Contact: Erin Phalon or Tim Greeley
609-530-4280
RELEASE: December 19, 2008
|
Governor Corzine announces storm preparedness
(Woodbridge) – Governor Jon S. Corzine today visited the Statewide Traffic Management Center and announced that the New
Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is prepared to clear snow and ice from roadways statewide. NJDOT has filled its salt and liquid calcium
inventories, fitted its trucks with plows and is ready to deploy personnel to ensure motorist safety.
"The State of New Jersey is prepared to fight this winter storm with equipment, material and extensive preparation," stated Governor Corzine. "I
urge motorists to stay safe this winter by exercising caution, avoiding unnecessary trips and providing plows enough room to maneuver on the
roadways."
Equipment and material
NJDOT is ready to deploy 549 state owned trucks to plow snow and spread salt on New Jersey's 15,829 lane miles of interstate and state highways. In
the event of a major storm, NJDOT will augment its forces with up to 1,234 contractor trucks. NJDOT maintains 975 drivers in 79 crews to administer
its winter readiness program. NJDOT has approximately 117,680 tons of salt and 523,334 gallons of liquid calcium on hand. The material is housed at
71 salt storage facilities statewide.
Skid-resistant pavement
NJDOT installed a skid resistant overlay on Route 80 in Paterson 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 will help prevent crashes and improve safety.
Brine treatment
NJDOT will use brine solution, which is a mixture of salt and water, to prevent icing by pre-treating select segments of state highways and 25
percent of the New Jersey interstate highway system. The use of brine solution saves taxpayer dollars and enables NJDOT to more efficiently clear
roadways.
Operation Checkout
In order to prepare for the upcoming winter season, NJDOT performed readiness exercises called Operation Checkout to practice strategic deployment,
equipment preparedness and management of weather stations and emergency operations centers. The exercises ensured that all systems are operating
satisfactorily.
Weather monitoring stations
NJDOT maintains 37 remote weather stations to help keep crews informed of road conditions on the state highway system. 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.
NJDOT partner agencies
NJDOT's partners at NJ TRANSIT, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and the South Jersey Transportation Authority are working with NJDOT to
maintain safe conditions during the winter months. 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 961 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 for plowing snow and spreading salt at NJ TRANSIT facilities such 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 are ready for use.
NJTA, which operates the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, also is marshalling its resources. NJTA is prepared to deploy 295 trucks
using 53,000 tons of salt for the roads on the Parkway and Turnpike. Over 300 additional contractor plow trucks will be on call.
The South Jersey Transportation Authority, which operates the Atlantic City Expressway, has filled salt domes at its three storage locations with
over 4,000 tons of salt and is prepared to fuel and load at least 50 vehicles with salt and chemicals.
Real time traffic information, including weather-related incidents, is available at www.511nj.org. |
|
