NJ to conduct hurricane evacuation drill Thursday
A Coastal Evacuation Route sign on Bayview Avenue in Seaside Park in June 2013. (Photo: Justin Auciello/JSHN)
New Jersey transportation and emergency agencies will conduct a hurricane evacuation exercise Thursday.
Motorists will see an increased presence of New Jersey State Police and work crews during the drill, which is to practice and refine a response between multiple state agencies in the event of a major hurricane, according to a release.
“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,” the release said. “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. No roads will be closed during the drill.”
Motorists are advised to exercise caution on the following highways:
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 New Jersey Department of Transportation, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, the South Jersey Turnpike Authority, and the State Police are conducting the drill.
Variable message signs will notify motorists of the exercise while it is underway.
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