Hurricane Evacuation Drill Today

Expect to see a heavier than usual police presence on some New Jersey roads today as transportation and emergency agencies conduct a hurricane evacuation exercise, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

No roads will be closed, but motorists should expect to see an increased police and work crew presence on the following key routes:

• Atlantic City Expressway (entire length from Atlantic City to Washington Township)
• Garden State Parkway (mile marker 0 in Lower Township to mile marker 37.5 in Egg Harbor)
• I-195 (mile marker 6 in Robbinsville to mile marker 34.2 in Wall)
• Route 72 (mile marker 0 in Woodland to mile marker 28.7 in Ship Bottom)
• Route 55 (mile marker 20 in Maurice River to 24.6 in Millville)
• Route 47 (mile marker 16 to 21 in Dennis, and mile marker 31.8 to 35.1 in Maurice River)
• Route 347 (mile marker 0 in Dennis to mile marker 8.5 in Maurice River)

The drill involves the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), the New Jersey State Police (NJSP), the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and the South Jersey Turnpike Authority (SJTA).

The main element of the exercise is 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 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. 

Variable message signs will notify motorists of the exercise while it is underway.  Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information.