NJDOT gears up for a blast of winter weather
Motorists urged to take it slow during evening commute
(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is preparing for a potentially significant winter storm, expected to arrive this afternoon. The forecast calls for a combination of snow and high winds tonight and into tomorrow, with one-to-three inches of snow accumulating in parts of the state.
“NJDOT crews will be out in force to make the evening commute as safe as possible, but it important for motorists to use good judgment and exercise caution as they head home tonight,” said Commissioner James S. Simpson.
Ample snow and ice-melting supplies are on hand, including rock salt, liquid calcium and salt-water brine solution. NJDOT crews began pre-treating major roadways this morning with brine solution to start the melting process as soon as the first flakes fall. NJDOT crews and contractors are prepared to work all night and as long as it takes to keep our approximately 13,000 lane miles of interstate and state highways as safe as possible.
NJDOT has a fleet of around 500 trucks to plow and spread salt, supplemented by approximately 1,400 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. Each of the three NJDOT Regional Emergency Operations Centers (REOCS) are mobilized as of 12 p.m. and salt spreading will begin mid-afternoon.
NJDOT has 37 remote weather stations around the state that provide detailed information on weather and road conditions in specific regions of the state. The data provided by these stations includes air temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, road and bridge surface temperatures, whether the pavement is wet or dry, whether the salt has been applied and the type and intensity of precipitation.
Motorists are urged to allow extra travel time, exercise caution and should avoid unnecessary trips during the storm. NJDOT is working with NJ State Police to further ensure public safety. Motorists should remain behind snow-fighting equipment on the roadways and avoid attempting to pass the trucks.
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.
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