New Jersey Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti on Thursday night issued a commercial vehicle travel restriction for multiple Interstate highways in the state effective at midnight Friday as freezing rain was expected to make for dangerous road conditions through the morning.
“This could make driving conditions treacherous, particularly during the morning commute in north and central Jersey. The travel restrictions are being coordinated with neighboring states. In addition to the commercial restrictions, all motorists are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel Friday and to use caution if you do have to drive,” the Department of Transportation said in a statement.
Eight counties in northern New Jersey were under a winter weather advisory, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasts called for ice, freezing rain, fog and high winds.
The state DOT released the following list of roads impacted by the restriction, which goes into place midnight Friday.
· I-78, entire length from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
· I-80, entire length from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
· I-195, entire length from I-295 to NJ Route 138
· I-280, entire length from I-80 to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
· I-287, entire length from NJ Route 440 to the New York State border
· I-295, from I-195 to the Scudders Falls Bridge (Pennsylvania border)
· NJ Route 440, from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287
The commercial vehicle travel restriction does apply to:
· All tractor-trailers (with exceptions listed in an administrative order)
· Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks
· Passenger vehicles pulling trailers
· Recreational vehicles
· Motorcycles
This restriction does not apply to the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, or Atlantic City Expressway, the DOT said.
“Public safety vehicles, sworn and civilian public safety personnel; as well as other personnel directly supporting healthcare facilities or critical infrastructure such as providing fuel or food (are exempt). For a complete list of operations or personnel that are exempt from the travel ban, see the Administrative Order,” the DOT said.
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Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com.
