Following the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season on Wednesday, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Turnpike Authority and South Jersey Transportation Authority have announced that annual hurricane preparedness drills will take place Thursday along six roads that serve as coastal evacuation routes.

In a release, NJDOT stressed that none of the involved highways would be closed during the exercise.

Work crews from all four participating agencies may be seen near these routes on Thursday with the goal of preparing a contraflow, or reversal of traffic in the opposite direction it is intended.

NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said in the release that the drill is done to guard against a "worst-case scenario."

Get our free mobile app

Motorists can expect to see cones, barrels, and message boards, but NJDOT said those materials would not actually be deployed, since no roads will be closed. Variable message boards will inform drivers during the duration of the exercise.

The affected highways will be:

  • Atlantic City Expressway (entire span)
  • Garden State Parkway (milepost 0, Lower Township, to milepost 38, Egg Harbor)
  • I-195 (milepost 6, Robbinsville, to milepost 34, Wall)
  • Route 72 (milepost 13.8, Barnegat, to milepost 29, Ship Bottom)
  • Route 47 (mileposts 16 to 21, Dennis, and mileposts 32 to 35, Maurice River)
  • Route 347 (milepost 0, Dennis, to milepost 9, Maurice River)

NJDOT reminds motorists to slow down and, if safe, move over to accommodate roadside work crews.

NJ beach tags guide for summer 2022

We're coming up on another summer at the Jersey Shore! Before you get lost in the excitement of sunny days on the sand, we're running down how much seasonal/weekly/daily beach tags will cost you, and the pre-season deals you can still take advantage of!

See the Must-Drive Roads in Every State

More From WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM