NJDOT mobilizes statewide storm response to clear debris, post detours and reopen roadways
Flooding, downed trees and downed power lines
affect travel statewide

(Trenton) - New Jersey Department of Transportation crews have been deployed statewide and will be working around the clock to clear roadway obstructions caused by the high winds and rain that swept across New Jersey yesterday and earlier today.

A total of 3,000 workers from NJDOT and sister transportation agencies including NJ TRANSIT, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and South Jersey Transportation Authority are working to clear debris and create safe detours for motorists around floodwaters and other obstructions.

NJDOT senior leadership is directing the statewide deployment of personnel and assets and coordinating responses with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Board of Public Utilities where necessary.

“The NJDOT launched storm cleanup efforts this morning as soon as winds started to subside,” NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson said. “Storm damage is widespread, so we encourage residents to limit travel to avoid interfering with our crews, utility crews and contractors as they clear debris from roadways and create detours as needed. This is a critical time for us to execute our storm response plan that we developed in coordination with the New Jersey State Police and numerous transportation and other government agencies in recent days.”

Heavy rainfall has created hundreds of flood conditions on state roadways throughout the state, especially along flood-prone corridors in central and northern New Jersey near the Raritan, Rockaway, Saddle and Passaic rivers.

NJDOT is responding to more than 300 incidents of roadway flooding or debris that is partially or completely obstructing travel. Motorists are encouraged to visit www.511nj.org prior to starting their trip to get up-to-the-minute roadway information. The site offers a map indicating flooded or obstructed roads and detours.

It is important for motorists to be aware that although the storm has passed, most major rivers have not yet crested, so flooding will continue to be a significant public safety issue.

The southbound lanes of the Garden State Parkway south of Exit 98 at Interstate 195 are reopened although there are flood related detours between Exits 98 and 91. The eastbound lanes of the Atlantic City Expressway at Pleasantville will be reopened later this afternoon.