Ocean County road begins clearing 620 miles of road

Toms River, NJ  – Ocean County road crews have been preparing county roadways for a severe snowstorm expected to move into the area this evening (Feb. 5).

Road crews have been spraying brine, a mixture of salt and water, on county roads as the first step in removing snow from county roadways.

“Our road crews were out Thursday and again today (Friday) spraying brine on the roads,” said Freeholder Director James F. Lacey, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Road Department. “The brine helps to melt the initial snowfall.”

He added once snow does start to fall the county will salt the roads and then begin to plow.

“The salt which is already on the roadway from the brine combined with the salt that is laid on the snow helps to prevent the snow from hard packing onto the road, which assists in the plowing operations,” he said.

Lacey said the county has replenished its salt supply and expects to have enough to use on its 620 miles of roadway.

“We are urging Ocean County residents not to go out if they don’t have to,” Lacey said. “The less traffic on the roads the better it is for the plowing operations to take place and the safer for everyone.”

Stephen F. Childers, Ocean County’s road supervisor, said road crews will first plow a roadway to make it passable. He added plows will then make a second pass, plowing the snow to the curb.

“Residents often begin to clear out driveways as soon as they see us go by the first time,” Childers said. “We encourage residents to wait until we have plowed the second time so they don’t wind up clearing their driveways twice.”

Sixty-five to 70 county trucks are expected to hit the roads as soon as the snow begins to fall. Contractors have also been put on notice that the county may be calling them for assistance.

The first of the county roads to be plowed are known as the 500 series, which includes such main roads as Hooper Avenue in Toms River Township, and Route 571, which travels through Toms River Township to Jackson Township.
In Southern Ocean County, those roads include Route 539.

“We start with these main roads and work our way to the secondary roads,” Childers said.

Childers noted the Road Department is assisted by other county departments including Solid Waste Management and Parks and Recreation. Ocean County’s Department of Buildings and Grounds is also involved in snow removal efforts.

Childers also requested that residents be patient when it comes to bad weather.

“Ocean County has 621 miles of roadway that it maintains,” Childers said. “This is the largest county road system in the state.”