Hurricane Evacuation Drill On Route 195 Thursday

If you have to drive Route 195 on Thursday, you may see cones and signs and workers who appear to be preparing for an emergency.

The state Department of Transportation said it is not an emergency, but merely practice to prepare in case there is one — in this case, a potential hurricane evacuation.

No roads are being closed, the DOT said, but motorists should expect an increased police and work crew presence on key shore routes, including Route 195.

The exercise involves New Jersey State Police, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority.

It was not clear what times or how long the exercise will last, but Route 195 from milepost 6 in Robbinsville to about milepost 34 in Wall is one of the areas.

The main element of the exercise is preparing to set up a contra flow, where traffic is reversed on a section of road to travel in the opposite direction. A contra flow would be used in the event an evacuation is needed from the Jersey Shore.

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.

The NJDOT included a reminder that said it is unlawful for motorists to pull off to the side of the freeway for anything other than an emergency.

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