Avoid Unnecessary Travel during the Storm

TRENTON – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti today issued a commercial vehicle travel restriction on portions of I-78, I-80, and I-287 starting at 12 midnight tonight (starting 12/2).

The winter storm is expected to produce difficult travel conditions across the northwest portion of the State due to accumulated snow and ice that will cause limited visibility on the roadways and disrupt snowplow operations, especially during the morning and evening commuting period on Monday, December 2.

NJDOT is prepared and coordinating our response with our regional transportation partners and the New Jersey State Police to ensure the safety of all travelers. Ice and winds could bring trees and branches down on roadways. NJDOT crews have tree-clearing equipment available to remove debris from state highways to ensure plows, emergency personnel and utility companies can get through.

Commercial Vehicle Travel Restriction

The restriction applies to the entire length of all Interstate Highways in New Jersey including:

• Interstate 80, both directions from the Pennsylvania state line to exit 43 (I-287)
• Interstate 78, both directions from the Pennsylvania state line to exit 29 (I-287)
• Interstate 287, both directions from exit 21 (I-78) to the New York border

The commercial vehicle travel restriction in New Jersey applies to the following vehicles:

• All tractor-trailers
• Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks
• Passenger vehicles pulling trailers
• Recreational vehicles
• Motorcycles

The restriction DOES NOT apply to:

• New Jersey Turnpike
• Garden State Parkway
• Atlantic City Expressway

The Department is reminding motorists:

• AVOID UNNECESSARY TRAVEL during the storm
• Consider Telecommuting tomorrow, if possible
• If you must drive and road conditions deteriorate, GET OFF THE ROAD somewhere safe and wait it out
• Always STAY CLEAR of plows and spreading trucks.  If they are behind you, let them pass
• DO NOT PASS between trucks that are in a plow formation
• Be patient and use caution

In order for NJDOT and our regional and local transportation partners to safely and efficiently clear roadways of snow and ice, motorists need to Clear the Roads so We Can Clear the Roads.

NJDOT will deploy our Incline Package assets on I-280 and I-78 at Jugtown mountain (between Exits 7 and 11), which includes pre-positioning towing assets, NJDOT Safety Service Patrol (SSP) trucks, and coordination with New Jersey State Police.

NJDOT will be using Variable Message Signs throughout the storm to provide updates. Once conditions improve, NJDOT will lift the Winter Weather Congestion Alert.

Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news and updates follow us on the NJDOT Facebook page or on Twitter @NJDOT_info.