New Jersey Transportation and Emergency Agencies to Conduct Hurricane Evacuation Exercise on Thursday

No roads will be closed, however motorists should expect an increased police and work crew presence on key shore routes

(Trenton) – The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) in partnership with the New Jersey State Police (NJSP), the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and the South Jersey Turnpike Authority (SJTA) announced today that it will be conducting an emergency evacuation exercise on Thursday, July 10 to practice and refine a response in the event of a major hurricane.

No roads will be closed during the drill.

However, motorists can expect to see an increased presence of State Police and work crews along several highways and are advised to use caution on the following key Shore evacuation routes:

NJDOT Launches Statewide Pothole Repair Campaign

Motorists should expect to encounter work crews over the next several weeks

(Trenton) – New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner James Simpson today announced a concentrated effort that will extend into the spring to repair potholes across New Jersey.

Severe winter weather has produced extraordinarily high numbers of potholes on state highways, creating hazardous conditions for motorists.

NJDOT Announces Travel Options and Outreach Plan for Upcoming Closure of Northbound Pulaski Skyway

Nearly 40,000 daily vehicle trips will be diverted for about two years
 during crucial phase of Skyway rehabilitation project 

(TRENTON) – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced details of a plan to accommodate motorists who will not be able travel on the Pulaski Skyway northbound lanes for approximately two years starting in March 2014 while the bridge deck is replaced.

The Department is encouraging motorists to become familiar with the alternate routes and modes now, well in advance of the northbound lane closures. 

Christie Administration teams up with the NY Jets for the 4th annual NY Jets Dream Express for Children with Autism

Football team hosts children and adults with autism at Sunday’s game

(East Rutherford) – The Christie Administration is teaming up with the New York Jets this weekend to host a group of children and young adults with autism, their families, and program staff at the Jets football game at MetLife Stadium.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation and NJ TRANSIT are partnering with the Jets for the fourth annual New York Jets Dream Express event that includes free tickets and refreshments for the group courtesy of the Jets, and complimentary NJ TRANSIT travel to and from Secaucus Junction.

This year’s event will benefit children who attend the Allegro School in Cedar Knolls and adults living in an Allegro group home. The school serves approximately 105 students ages 3-21 from 10 counties in Northern and Central New Jersey, and another 75 children and adults through its outreach and adult programs.  

“Fall brings the excitement of a new school year as well as the start of a new football season. The New Jersey Department of Transportation and NJ TRANSIT are honored to work with the New York Jets to give the Allegro students and program participants, as well as their family members, an opportunity to participate in an American tradition and enjoy a fun-filled day at the game,” said NJDOT Assistant Commissioner Anthony Attanasio.

“NJ TRANSIT is very pleased to participate with the Christie Administration by supporting an event that will provide children and their families and teachers with an exciting day that will create lasting memories,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Jim Weinstein. 

"Allegro School is truly grateful for this opportunity. Community access for children and adults with autism is often limited. It is our job as administrators, care givers, and family members to create community-based opportunities.  This is neither an easy or simple task,” Allegro School and Programs Executive Director Deborah Lewinson said.   “The New Jersey Jets and the New Jersey Department of Transportation have eased this path. As a result I expect the Jets will have a whole new fan group cheering them on and NJDOT will have many new train enthusiasts."

About 20 students who attend the school or adults who live in an Allegro group home, along with their family members, and school and program staff members will be attending the game.

Christie Administration Kicks Off Route 35 Reconstruction “Listening Tour” In Seaside Heights

First In A Series Of Events Between Department of Transportation Commissioner, Route 35 Project Team and Local Communities

 (Seaside Heights) – As the $265 million project rebuilding Route 35 gets underway, New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner James Simpson today kicked off the Christie Administration’s “Listening Tour” to get direct feedback from residents, business owners and local officials.

Commissioner Simpson and DOT project team members gathered today at Seaside Heights Borough Hall and then walked along streets with Mayor Bill Akers, listening to concerns and ideas from business owners and residents along the way.

“Route 35 is the gateway to many Jersey Shore destinations along the Barnegat Peninsula, and the Christie Administration is committed to rebuilding this road as quickly as possible,” said Commissioner Simpson. “We are accelerating this project to accomplish a massive amount of work in a short timeframe, and during this process, we want to ensure that the lines of communication between the local communities and our administration remain open. This listening tour will help residents and local officials make sure their concerns are heard.”

The Listening Tour supplements a robust community outreach effort that includes a hotline telephone number, 732-230-7356, and email address, restore.nj35@dot.state.nj.us for residents to pose questions or provide suggestions as work progresses.

NJDOT has created a project-specific websitethat provides information on the proposed construction activity.  The site will be updated as work advances. 

A pre-construction public information center on July 9 in Lavallettewas very well attended by hundreds of residents and business owners from the eight Barnegat Peninsula municipalities where Route 35 will be reconstructed (Bay Head, Mantoloking, Brick, Toms River, Lavallette, Seaside Heights, Seaside Borough and Berkeley.

At a groundbreaking event in neighboring Seaside Park on July 2, Governor Chris Christie announced the startof the project to rebuild the roadway that sustained heavy damage during Superstorm Sandy.  At the event, Christie said the Route 35 reconstruction project sends a message that the Jersey Shore is coming back stronger than ever.

The Department has divided the project into three geographical sections and has awarded contracts to three contractors.  Work in all three sections will begin in August.  Construction in the northernmost section will be completed by the summer of 2014, with work in the other two sections completed by the summer of 2015.

NJDOT Announces Route 322 Resurfacing Project in Hamilton Township

Nine miles of deteriorated pavement to be improved in both directions 

(Trenton) – The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced a project to resurface nine miles of Route 322 (Black Horse Pike) in both directions from the vicinity of Eighth Street in Folsom Borough to Route 50 in Hamilton Township, Atlantic County.

NJDOT’s contractor, A.E. Stone, Inc., is scheduled to start preliminary construction activities including site mobilization and sign installation on Monday, July 8, requiring shoulder closures.  The $4.3 million project will resurface Route 322 in both directions with a new surface course of asphalt pavement.  

The project will improve motorist safety and extend the pavement lifespan along the full width of the roadway, including all travel lanes, turn lanes, shoulders and median openings.  Upgraded roadway striping and ADA-compliant curb ramp upgrades will also be provided as needed.  New traffic signals and highway lighting will be installed at the intersection of Weymouth Malaga Road to replace the existing signals.  

At least two travel lanes will be maintained throughout construction with lane closures allowed daily between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m.  Access to all businesses and residences along the state highway will be maintained throughout construction. The project—designed in-house by NJDOT engineers—is scheduled for completion in early 2014.

Dynamic message signs will notify motorists of all upcoming traffic pattern changes.  The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors.  Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org real-time travel information.

Temporary Lane Closures on Route 54 in Hammonton as Part of Atlantic City Expressway Widening Project

Third Phase of Project Begins

(Trenton) – NJDOT officials today announced temporary lane closures on Route 54 in Hammonton Township, Atlantic County beginning this week as the third phase of the Atlantic City Expressway widening project begins.

The ongoing $61 million South Jersey Transportation Authority project - which began construction in September 2009 - is adding a third travel lane in the westbound direction from the Garden State Parkway to Route 73. The project covers a distance of 24.1 miles, which is approximately half the length of the Expressway. Widening the Expressway from two lanes to three will reduce congestion and increase safety by eliminating the need to merge.

SJTA’s contractor for phase 3 of the project, South State, Inc., is scheduled to implement lane closures on Monday morning, June 3, to allow the installation of temporary shielding on the Atlantic City Expressway bridge over Route 54. At least one travel lane will be open in each direction during the construction.

SJTA expects this portion of the project to last a few weeks, with the anticipated completion of the entire Atlantic City Expressway widening project in the summer of 2014. 

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors.  Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org real-time travel information.

Christie Administration Promotes Bicycling as a Great Way to Enjoy the Jersey Shore This Summer

 New statewide bicycling maps and downloadable tour routes
announced at Bike Month event

(Berkeley) – New Jersey Department of Transportation officials and bicycle enthusiasts helped celebrate National Bike Month with a ride this morning along Island Beach State Park that served as a reminder that the Jersey Shore will be open for business this summer as a premier vacation and day-trip destination.

NJDOT selected the Jersey Shore to promote bicycling because the Christie Administration has worked shoulder-to-shoulder with federal and local officials, residents and business owners in the aftermath of  Superstorm Sandy to ready the Shore for summer visitors.

Transportation officials announced that the Department has created a new online Bicycling Map and Resource Guide that indicates the suitability of state highways and county roads for bicycling, and announced the availability of digital bike tours that bicyclists can download to their smart phones to track their location and progress along numerous routes.

“Bicycling is gaining in popularity as a form of recreation, physical fitness and as an alternate travel model for commuters,” said NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson.  “We hope these maps and tour routes help residents and visitors discover the wonderful bicycling opportunities that exist in every New Jersey county.”

The event also highlighted the economic benefits of bicycling including: infrastructure investment in bike paths; sidewalks and other Complete Street features; business revenues and employee salaries associated with the sale of bicycles and equipment; and bicyclist purchases in restaurants and other establishments.  A Rutgers study estimates that bicycling and walking contributed nearly $500 million to the New Jersey economy in 2011 in direct and indirect impacts.

“Jersey Shore towns and businesses have been rebuilding in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, and they will be ready to welcome visitors to enjoy the wide array of recreational, dining and shopping activities that make the shore such a special summer destination,” said Grace Hanlon, executive director of the New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism.

The New Jersey Bicycling Map and Resource Guide display state and county roadways and classify the suitability of each road for cyclists. This information promotes bicycling and safety by helping cyclists to make informed decisions on where to ride based on their level of expertise and purpose of the trip.

Maps will cover the State on both a regional and metro-area basis. Additionally, the maps will display points of interest, such as cultural, historic and transit locations across the State. Bicyclists can view the maps online or print them out. The resource guide includes information on traffic laws, bicycle safety, transit access and more for cyclists to get the most out of their New Jersey cycling experience. 

NJDOT also has converted its 18 regional guides into an enhanced digital format.   The tour guides are geographically diverse, and feature rides for cyclists of all ages and levels.  Cyclists can now use their smart phones to view the touring guide cue sheets, and track their route progress in real time. For riders who are more comfortable with simple maps, they remain available to be downloaded and printed as well. The digital maps are available on the NJDOT website.  Click on the “njcommuter.com” tab, select “Biking in New Jersey” from the drop-down menu and select “Recreation” from the choices on the left side of the screen.

“All the maps, as well as information on how to download them to a smart phone, are available on the NJDOT website,” said NJDOT Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Coordinator Sheree Davis.  “NJDOT remains on the forefront of new technology, keeping our streets safe and accessible for all users.”

The National Bike Month celebration began in 1956 and includes Bike-to-Work Week punctuated by Bike-to-Work Day which this year falls on Friday, May 17.

NJDOT has helped build or fund hundreds of miles of bike paths around the state since 2000.  In fact over the past two years New Jersey has been named as the seventh (7^th) most Bicycle Friendly State in the nation by the League of American Bicyclists.  Last year, NJDOT’s Complete Streets Policy received the top ranking for states that have adopted formal Complete Streets policies, according to the National Complete Streets Coalition.

NJDOT’s Office of Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs coordinates and supports these efforts to create bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly environments around the state.  The Department’s Complete Streets policy ensures that all future roadway improvement construction projects include safe accommodations for all users, including bicyclists.

NJDOT also publishes two long-distance bicycle tour guides, the 238-mile High Point to Cape May Bike Route and the East Coast Greenway Multi-use Trail Guide.

Some of New Jersey’s local Transportation Management Associations (TMA’s) have joined in the National Bike Month celebration and are sponsoring month-long events to encourage individuals to ride their bikes to work, run errands, and to make other trips.  

Christie Administration Announces $86.5 Million in Local Aid Grants to Help Control Property Taxes

406 Municipal Aid and Transportation Enhancement grants will support road and safety improvements

(Trenton) – The Christie Administration today announced 406 Local Aid grants totaling $86.5 million, enabling cities and towns across the state to advance street, safety and quality-of-life improvements without burdening local property taxpayers.

 

The bulk of the Local Aid grants will be awarded under the Municipal Aid program, with 377 grants totaling $76.2 million.  Another 29 Transportation Enhancement grants for quality-of-life, bicycle and pedestrian safety projects totaling $10.3 million were also announced.  Both grant programs are competitive, with applications rated on their merits by NJDOT and other transportation officials.

“These grants enable municipalities to stretch their resources and advance important roadway projects and other safety and quality-of-life improvements that benefit all who share the road, including pedestrians and bicyclists,” said NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson.  “The Christie Administration supports the Local Aid program because it helps relieve pressure on local property taxpayers.”

The grants will provide resources to 382 different municipalities. In most cases the grant recipient is the municipality, but in a few instances the grant will go to a specific organization or other governmental unit advancing a project in one or more municipalities.

A total of 660 applications were submitted for this round of state-funded Municipal Aid grants.  The Department encouraged municipalities to submit applications for bikeway, pedestrian safety and streetscape projects.  Six percent of the projects selected for funding represented such types of projects, with the remaining 94 percent of the grants going toward traditional road improvement projects.

The federally funded Transportation Enhancement (TE) program supports projects that preserve and protect natural and cultural resources and promote alternatives to driving.  The successful applications advance quality-of-life, bikeway and pedestrian safety projects.  A total of 149 TE grant applications were received. 

Under the Municipal Aid grant program, each county is apportioned a share of the total funding based on population and the number of local centerline miles.  Municipalities compete for portions of their county’s share.  NJDOT provides 75 percent of the grant amount when a town awards a contract and the remaining 25 percent upon completion of the project.

NJDOT Crews are Launching a Statewide Push to Repair Potholes

 

 Motorists can speed repairs by reporting potholes online

(Freehold Township) – NJDOT maintenance crews today demonstrated the workings of a pothole-filling machine to help kick off their annual push to fill the spring crop of potholes and keep New Jersey highway safe and smooth.

The Department fills potholes year-round, but spring is the time when many potholes form due to temperature fluctuations above and below the freezing mark.  Water seeps into pavement cracks and expands when it freezes.  

The expansion deepens the crack and weakens the pavement, leading to a pothole. “The investments we are making in major roadway resurfacing and reconstruction projects are paying dividends in the form of improved roadway conditions,”  NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson said.  “We have pushed up our roadway ratings from 50 percent in acceptable condition in 2010 to 59 percent today.  

However, there is no way around the fact that potholes are more prevalent in the spring, so that’s why we are focusing on them at this time.”

Major roadway rehabilitation investments in recent years on such heavily traveled roads as Interstates 295, 78, 80 and 287 have helped limit the number of potholes.

Potholes can create safety hazards and can cause damage to vehicles, so motorists are urged to report any pothole they observe on a state or interstate highway to NJDOT.  A convenient and simple reporting form is available online on the NJDOT homepage at www.nj.gov/transportation. During FY 12 motorists directly reported 3,476 potholes to DOT, and have reported another 2,561 so far in FY 13.

Since the beginning of FY 13 on July 1, 2012, NJDOT road crews have filled about 94,000 potholes through a variety of methods, including hot patch, cold patch and machine-filled potholes.  This number is expected to rise significantly in the remaining months of the fiscal year.  The Department filled more than 170,000 potholes with these methods in FY 12. 

“Since 2010, we have shortened the average response time it takes our crews to get out and repair an emergent pothole from around five hours down to under three hours once it has been reported to us,” added Simpson.

NJDOT crews also perform permanent patch work on sections of roadways that feature significant cracks and multiple potholes.  This technique involves cutting vertical borders around the entire affected section, removing several inches of the old road surface, painting the edges with liquid tar and filling it with hot patch before tamping or rolling.  This type of work essentially amounts to a small-scale resurfacing project and creates a new driving surface that lasts for years.

Aggressive maintenance programs to seal cracks also have helped extend the life of roads by preventing water from seeping into pavement. 

The machine that was used in today’s demonstration is one of six that the Department has leased and used since December. The machines heat the patch material and deliver a patch that lasts longer than those made with the cold-patch material that is available during winter months.  The machines require fewer crew members to fill potholes compared to manual methods.

The reduced demands on maintenance crews to fill potholes allows workers to pivot to other tasks, such as picking up litter, painting over graffiti, fixing damaged guiderail, mowing, and cleaning storm-water inlets. 

The ramped-up pothole repair effort is following closely on the heels of NJDOT’s announcement last week that 40% of available maintenance resources are being utilized during the month March to clean up litter.

“We are challenging ourselves this spring on two fronts – to respond and to repair every pothole that we observe or gets reported to us by the public, while also making a noticeable difference in the appearance of highways through a massive litter-removal in which every mile of state highway will be cleaned,” said Assistant Commissioner of Operations Rich Shaw.

Christie Administration Embarks on Statewide Litter Removal Initiative During Month of March

NJDOT crews focus on ‘Clean Up NJ’ of state-maintained highways

(Hamilton) – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced a statewide fight against litter in which crews will patrol every mile of state highway in the month of March to pick up a winter’s worth of trash.  The concentrated litter-removal effort supports the ongoing ‘Clean Up NJ’ initiative which brings a renewed focus to the important job of improving the appearance of New Jersey roadways.

“Ever since Superstorm Sandy, our maintenance crews have been extremely busy, either with Sandy recovery efforts or in response to dozens of winter storms that have required a great deal of work to keep our roads free of snow and ice,” Commissioner James Simpson said. “However, we now are making an all-out effort to clean our highways, because appearances do matter to residents and visitors and to companies that are thinking of relocating to New Jersey.”

 This litter removal operation is designed to be a fast moving, mass attack on litter that will show immediate, noticeable results.  “In addition to the current effort, NJDOT is planning major litter removal operations several other times in 2013, preceding grass mowing cycles to avoid occurrences of mowers shredding the litter,” said NJDOT Assistant Commissioner of Operations Rich Shaw. 

Department of Corrections inmate crews once again will be supporting clean-up efforts along certain highway locations this year, as they have to great effect in the past two years. 

NJDOT crews and DOC inmates have collected about 10,000 tons of litter, or 20 million pounds, along state highways since the beginning of the Christie Administration in January, 2010.  This is enough trash to bury an entire football field to a depth of 25 feet.

“Motorists play an important role in keeping New Jersey highways neat and attractive,” Commissioner Simpson said. “Tossing trash out of a car window is an unnecessary act, given how simple it is to stow the trash until you reach your destination and dispose of it properly.  When children see adults litter, it sends the wrong message.”

Every hour that NJDOT crews spend picking up after those who choose to litter is an hour that could have been spent making other improvements to the highways, such as filling potholes, fixing guide rails, trimming trees or removing graffiti.  Litter can clog storm drains and create potentially dangerous flash-flood conditions along roadways.

NJDOT launched the ‘Clean Up NJ’ initiative in 2010 to make noticeable improvements in the appearance of state roadways.  Under the initiative, NJDOT crews have periodically attended to all the maintenance needs along specific corridors.  This strategy solves multiple maintenance issues that would be too large for a single crew to handle in a limited time frame.  It combines the flexibility to respond to suggestions and concerns of residents and elected officials while also creating the capability to aggressively target specific corridors.

Other components of the ‘Clean up NJ’ initiative include the Urban Youth Corps program, wildflower plantings and a revived Adopt-A-Highway program. 

To report a roadway maintenance issue on a state highway, motorists can call 1-800-POTHOLE or click on the Highway Maintenance Reporting button on the NJDOT homepage at www.nj.gov/transportation

Christie Administration efforts to keep New Jersey beautiful extend across departmental lines.  Last week, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection announced its second annual ‘Dash for the Trash’, a large-scale, volunteer cleanup of sections of the Delaware River and Bay from Sussex to Cape May counties.  This effort started March 9 and continues through March 17.