New Jersey prepared for winter’s worst

The New Jersey Department of Transportation has decalred itself ready to deal with winter storms.

Nearly 3,000 pieces of equipment are available and more than 200,000 tons of salt are stockpiled to deal with snow and ice on the highways, said department spokesman Steve Schapiro.

The department strives to deploy salt trucks and plows where they’re most needed, he said.

“We have 50 remote weather stations around the state, and they provide detailed information on weather and road conditions, specifically air temperatures, roadway temperatures, things like that,” he said. “And that helps us know what we need to do to keep the roads clear and safe.”

New Jersey allocates $10 million annually for snow-fighting efforts, though that amount does not come close to the actual costs.

“We know that we’ll be spending more than that, but there’s never an issue of running out of money. Our first and highest priority is the safety of people on New Jersey’s highways, and, so, as the winter progresses, the Treasury will reimburse us for the costs of snow removal and treating the streets,” Schapiro said.

Last winter, about $59 million was devoted to clearing highways and other snow-related work.