N.J. bans truck visitors on highways as winter storm approaches

LATEST FORECAST: Fierce snow, ice storm barrels towards state. Snowfall forecasts shift as ice risk rises.

A winter storm that’s forecasted to deliver as a lot as 12 to 18 inches of snow and harmful ice statewide has brought about officers to name for a ban of sure automobiles on a number of main New Jersey highways this weekend.

The industrial automobile journey restriction will start at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday and will likely be in place till additional discover for:

• Interstate 76 (total size)
• Interstate 78 (total size)
• Interstate 80 (total size)
• Interstate 195 (total size)
• Interstate 280 (total size)
• Interstate 287 (total size)
• Interstate 295 (total size)
• Interstate 676 (total size)
• Route 440, from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287

The journey ban applies to all tractor-trailers, empty “straight” field vehicles, passenger automobiles pulling trailers, leisure automobiles and bikes, officers mentioned.

The restrictions don’t apply to the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway or the Atlantic City Expressway.

The ban follows Gov. Mikie Sherrill declaring a state of emergency forward of the predicated storm.

The National Weather Service said Friday afternoon there’s “high confidence in major impacts from snowfall, sleet, and ice accumulations across much of the area, making travel very difficult, and potentially resulting in widespread closures and infrastructure impacts.”

“Widespread snow and sleet accumulations of 6-16 inches expected,” the company added. “Snowfall rates near 1-2 inches per hour possible during the daytime period Sunday.”

The forecast shifted for components of the state on Friday to incorporate growing considerations for a harmful layer of ice throughout the southern half of the state.

Truckers who’re already in New Jersey when the journey restrictions take impact are urged to tug off in truck stops to attend out the storm. They are discouraged from parking on freeway shoulders, which may intervene with plowing.