Wintry weather forecast spurs commercial travel restriction on numerous N.J. highways

A commercial travel restriction will go into effect at 9 a.m. Wednesday on numerous highways throughout New Jersey due to impending snowfall, authorities said.

New Jersey State Police

File photo: New Jersey State Police car in Trenton, N.J. (Alan Tu/WHYY)

A commercial travel restriction will go into effect at 9 a.m. Wednesday on numerous highways throughout New Jersey due to impending snowfall, authorities said.

New Jersey State Police Colonel Patrick J. Callahan says the restriction includes the entire length of the following interstates: I-76, I-78, I-80, I-195, I-280, I-287, I-295, and I-676.

The ban does not apply to the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, or the Atlantic City Expressway.

The restriction covers all tractor-trailers, empty straight CDL-weighted trucks, passenger vehicles pulling trailers, recreation vehicles, and motorcycles.

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“Residents and motorists should avoid driving unless you are an essential employee needed for emergency response. If you do not have to be on the roads during the storm, please stay home,” Callahan said. ” If you must go out, drive slowly, fill your gas tank, charge your phone, pack blankets, water and non-perishable food items.”

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency Tuesday evening in advance of the storm, which is set to drop one to three inches of snow in Shore areas and higher accumulations to the west and north.

After beginning during the morning hours, snow will then gradually transition to a mix of sleet and freezing rain and then rain from south to north sometime during late afternoon into the evening hours.

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