Amidst a massive blizzard that took place from Sunday morning into the middle of Monday night, NJ Transit and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority recently released status updates for Monday, Feb. 23. The Newark Light Rail and River LINE will start to resume service at 4 p.m., operating on Sunday schedules. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) will begin to resume service at 6 p.m., operating on a weekend schedule.
“I want to thank NJ TRANSIT and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority crews who are working tirelessly around the clock to restore our transportation systems for the millions of New Jerseyans who rely on them,” said Governor Mikie Sherrill. “We are pleased that light rail services are set to return later today. I am confident that these dedicated men and women will continue their efforts in the aftermath of this historic snowstorm until all systems are fully operational.”
All rail, bus and Access Link services remain suspended until conditions ease and allow for them to safely resume. Crews are continuing to clear train station platforms, parking lots and additional rail infrastructure. Bus and Access Link personnel are set to continue snow removal at garages and facilities, while monitoring roadway conditions.
“Our first responsibility is for the safety of all who use our transportation resources. As we begin to recover from this blizzard, the likes of which we have not seen in 30 years, I applaud NJ TRANSIT, NJDOT, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and the South Jersey Transportation Authority for being thoughtful, methodical and strategic in bringing the system back to operation in a way that prioritizes the safety of its customers,” said Acting NJ DOT Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Priya Jain.
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority is in the process of bringing speed limits to normal on the Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway. Speed limits have been brought down to 35 mph during the storm, though they will slowly increase as the cleanup continues.
The Parkway south of the Driscoll Bridge in Middlesex County was greatly affected by the storm. A statewide travel ban has expired, though the use of that section of the Parkway is advised to be limited.
The Turnpike is mainly cleared in the travel lanes, though cleanup will continue for entrance and exit ramps, as well as toll plazas. For NJ Transit, the company will continue to assess the impacts of the storm and when it is safe for normal service to resume.
“The safety of our customers, motorists and the employees working around the clock to restore service and clear our state’s roadways remains our highest priority,” said Kris Kolluri, President & CEO of NJ TRANSIT and Executive Director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. “We appreciate everyone’s patience as we continue to assess the storm’s statewide impacts on highways and the transit system. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our teams over the past 24 hours, I’m pleased to announce the gradual resumption of transit service, beginning with our three light rail lines later today, as well as the continued improvement of conditions on the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.”
As the conditions return to normal, more travel will begin to open up across the Garden State. At the moment, commuters are still advised to exercise caution while travelling.