The New Jersey Department of Transportation is implementing winter weather protocols based on the forecasted coastal storm, which is expected to bring snow, rain, and strong winds to the state beginning tonight and continuing through Tuesday, March 14.

According to the current forecast, the storm may result in treacherous driving conditions in parts of the state for the morning commute.

Precipitation is expected to continue through the afternoon commute.

New Jersey Governor Murphy has declared a state of emergency, also effective at 8pm tonight, for Morris, Sussex, Warren, Passaic and Bergen Counties.

In addition, state workers will have a 2-hour delayed opening tomorrow due to the expected snow storm.

Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti has issued a commercial vehicle travel restriction on multiple Interstate highways in New Jersey starting tonight at 8 p.m.

The commercial vehicle travel restriction will be in place until further notice for the following highways in both directions:

• I-78, entire length from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
• I-80, entire length from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
• I-280, entire length from I-80 to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
• I-287, entire length from NJ Route 440 to the New York State border
• NJ Route 440, from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287

The commercial vehicle travel restriction applies to:

• All tractor trailers (exceptions as listed in the Administrative Order)
• Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks
• Passenger vehicles pulling trailers
• Recreational vehicles
• Motorcycles

The Department of Transportation says they have deployed more than 3,000 plows and spreaders that are ready to be activated statewide wherever they are needed.

In addition, the DOT says they are prepared for possible flooding in South Jersey, including Lakewood, from heavy rain.

Lakewood and further South is not expected to receive any significant snow accumulations.

The New Jersey State Police and the NJ Office of Emergency Management are actively monitoring this weather event to coordinate any resource needs of our local, county, state, and federal partners.

Motorists are asked to consider working from home if that is an option.

If you have to drive, slow down, use caution and plan extra travel time, particularly during the Tuesday morning commute as roads may be slippery.

If you must drive, motorists are advised to:

• SLOW DOWN
• Always STAY CLEAR of plowing and spreading trucks.  If they are behind you, let them pass
• DO NOT pass between trucks that are in a plow formation
• Allow extra travel time
• Leave a safe following distance between vehicles
• Use caution on bridges and ramps, which freeze before road surfaces
• If you are driving and road conditions deteriorate, PULL OFF somewhere safe and wait it out
• Be patient and use caution
• Keep an emergency kit in your car with a cell phone charger, water, snacks, a blanket, and other items. See the NJ Office of Emergency Managements web site for more information: http://ready.nj.gov/plan-prepare/winter.shtml