NJDOT gears up for another blast of winter weather

(Trenton) -The State of New Jersey and the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) are preparing for another potentially significant winter storm, expected to arrive this evening. The storm would be the second major weather event in New Jersey in the last four days.

The forecast calls for a combination of rain, snow and high winds tonight and tomorrow, with a foot or more of snow accumulating in parts of the state.

NJDOT crews began pre-treating major roadways yesterday with brine solution to start the melting process as soon as the first flakes fall.

Ample snow- and ice-melting supplies are on hand, including about 75,000 tons of rock salt, 385,000 gallons of liquid calcium and 105,000 gallons of brine solution.

NJDOT has a fleet of about 500 trucks to plow and spread salt, supplemented by approximately 1,450 contractor plows and spreaders. Plowing and salt-spreading crews are on alert and will be mobilized to locations throughout the state prior to the start of the storm.

NJDOT crews and contractors are prepared to work all night, through Wednesday and as long as it takes to keep 12,850 lane miles of interstate and state highways as safe as possible.

Motorists are urged to allow extra travel time, exercise caution and should avoid unnecessary trips during the storm.

It is state law to make all reasonable efforts to remove snow from a vehicle’s roof, hood, trunk and windshield. In the case of a truck, the law applies to the roof of a cab and the top of a semi-trailer, trailer or intermodal freight container.

Real-time traffic information, including weather-related incidents, is available by calling 511 or online at www.511nj.org.