NJDOT offers travel tips for this weekend’s potential storm

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has prepared crews and equipment for a major statewide snowstorm that is predicted to start shortly after midnight tonight and continue through Friday.

Significant snow accumulations are expected throughout much of the state, with the heaviest snowfall amounts predicted for northern and central New Jersey. Wind gusts of 35 miles per hour could create poor visibility conditions and drifting snow. This is the largest projected snow event in New Jersey since 2011.

NJDOT mobilized staff and contractors today to be ready for immediate deployment. Crews began pre-treating major roadways this morning with brine solution to start the melting process as soon as the first flakes fall.

Resources include around 2,050 pieces of snow fighting equipment:

• 200 contractor salt-spreader trucks
• 1,400 contractor snow plows·
• 450 NJDOT salt-spreader trucks and plows

Ample snow and ice-melting supplies are on hand, including rock salt, liquid calcium and salt-water brine solution. NJDOT crews and contractors are prepared to work as long as it takes to keep our approximately 13,000 lane miles of interstate and state highways as safe as possible.

Transportation Commissioner James S. Simpson stressed that safety is the focus. “Make no doubt about it, in many areas of the state we are going to see some treacherous conditions. We will be doing everything within our power to keep the state highways clear and safe, but I urge motorists to do their part by exercising caution, allowing extra travel time, avoiding unnecessary trips and providing our plows enough room to maneuver on the roadways.”

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