New Jersey DOT suspending road construction for holiday weekend safety, congestion reduction

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) announced today that it is suspending road construction projects statewide during the holiday weekend to promote safety and reduce congestion.

Construction that affects travel lanes on state highways will be suspended from 6 a.m. Saturday, April 3 until noon Monday, April 5. Emergency lane closures will be permitted.

“We are taking steps to minimize road construction impacts and are urging motorists to obey all rules of the road to help ensure safe and hassle-free travel over the holiday weekend,” said NJDOT Commissioner Jim Simpson said in a written statement.

In addition to suspending construction activity, Simpson highlighted the following statewide highway safety initiatives:

Statewide Traffic Management Center (STMC) enables NJDOT, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the New Jersey State Police to manage and respond to accidents, adverse weather, special events and congestion. The facility operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

NJDOT’s enhanced traffic Web site, www.511nj.org, a Google Maps-based Web site which offers motorists real-time traffic conditions on state and interstate highways, the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike and the Atlantic City Expressway. The site features interactive maps and highlights incidents, construction, weather and special events.

NJDOT’s 511 interactive telephone line provides motorists personalized real-time traffic information.

Motorists may also subscribe to MyNJ511, a Personalized Traveler Service that sends free, real-time traffic alerts to cell phones and other Web-enabled devices so motorists can get the latest traffic information pertaining to their trip before getting behind the wheel.

Drivers are encouraged to call the following numbers for roadside assistance or to report a disabled vehicle, roadside debris or other problems:

o On the Turnpike, call #95.

o On the Parkway, call #GSP (#477).

o On the Atlantic City Expressway, call #ACE (#223).

o To report aggressive driving on any road, call #77.