NJ transportation crews and NJSP holding evacuation drills today
New Jersey transportation officials as well as State Police will be conducting their annual emergency evacuation exercise today to practice and refine a response in the event of a major storm like a hurricane.
No roads will be closed but you can expect a police and work crew presence on several highways across the state.
New Jersey Department of Transportation officials, in partnership with the New Jersey State Police, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority will all be taking part in the annual emergency evacuation exercise.
You can expect to see an increased State Police and NJDOT work crew presence along several highways and are advised to use caution on the following key Shore evacuation routes:
• Atlantic City Expressway (entire length from Atlantic City to Washington Township)
• Garden State Parkway (mile post 0 in Lower Township to mile post 38 in Egg Harbor)
• I-195 (mile post 6 in Robbinsville to about mile post 34 in Wall)
• Route 72 (mile post 13.8 in Barnegat to approximately mile post 29 in Ship Bottom)
• Route 47 (mile post 16 to 21 in Dennis, and approximately mile post 32 to 35 in Maurice River)
• Route 347 (mile post 0 in Dennis to about mile post 9 in Maurice River)
Crews are preparing to set up a 'contra flow' (reversing traffic on a section of roadway to travel in the opposite direction) on these highways that serve as evacuation routes for the Jersey Shore.
Crews will be staging cones, barrels, and message boards in designated locations along the side of these highways but will not be deploying the materials.
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