Lawrence Township's Thursday Post-Hurricane Update

Here is some of the latest Lawrence Township post-Hurricane Sandy news, as of noon today, Thursday, Nov. 1:

FEMA Disaster Assistance

Lawrence Township has posted on its website a link to information about FEMA Disaster Assistance.

Power Outage Update

While electrical service has been restored to additional areas of the township, PSE&G’s power outage map is showing that between 5,001 and 10,000 customers in Lawrence Township are still without power

Lawrence High School Again Offering Showers and Other Amenities

Lawrence Township Public Schools sent out the following advisory today:

Lawrence residents: Out of power? Want to get warm, have internet connection, take a shower, charge your electronics and/or have internet connection? Come to the Lawrence High School Commons and relax. We're open until 7 p.m. today, Nov. 1.

Carpooling Request

Patch reader Mike Ankener sent the following email:

It may be some time before New Jersey Transit is up and running into NYC, and I know many people rely on the trains to commute into the city. Is there any way you could start a Lawrence Patch rideshare notice/ section?

For anyone interested in trying to coordinate such an effort, please feel free to use the comments section below to connect or make suggestions.

Many requests have also come in from readers wanting to know which gas stations and businesses have reopened. Please share what you know with your fellow readers by using the comments section below.

Contractors Rupture Gas Line at Quaker Bridge Mall

Contractors working on the remodeling/renovation of Quaker Bridge Mall at 8 a.m. today accidentally struck an underground pipeline that supplies natural gas to the mall in the 3300 block of Route 1 (Brunswick Pike).

The ruptured pipe is located on the east side of the mall near where the food court was previously located. With natural gas flowing from the broken pipe, township police officers and firefighters from Lawrence and West Windsor townships kept people away from the area until PSE&G personnel were able to shut off the gas flow around 8:40 a.m.

Power has been restored and Quaker Bridge Mall reopened at 10 a.m. today, according to the mall’s Facebook page.

Tractor-Trailer Takes Out Fire Hydrant

Shortly before 5:30 a.m. today a tractor-trailer struck a fire hydrant near the intersection of Titus Avenue and George Street, knocking the hydrant from its base and causing water to flow freely over the road. With the nearest storm drain clogged with leaves, a minor flooding condition resulted in the roadway. The driver was apparently trying to navigate his way around the closed section Route 206 (Lawrence Road/Main Street), according to police.

Township police, volunteer firefighters from Lawrenceville and Lawrence Road fire companies, township public works staff and personnel from the Aqua New Jersey water company responded to handle the situation. The water flow was eventually shut off and the storm drain cleared to alleviate the flooding condition.

The driver, Frederick McCracken, 33, of Trappe, Md., was issued one summons related to the accident, police said, noting that the tractor-trailer is owned by JCB Trucking of Cambridge, Md.

Because of the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Sandy to trees, utility poles and wires in the area of Craven Lane, Route 206 remains closed today between Franklin Corner Road and Cold Soil Road.

Motor Vehicle Commission Facility in Lawrence Township Reopens

The following news release was issued today by the state Motor Vehicle Commission:

Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) customers are advised that select agencies and inspection stations have resumed service today, Thursday, Nov. 1. All others will remain closed until further notice.

The agencies that have reopened include Bakers Basin, Cherry Hill, Manahawkin, Mt. Holly, Rio Grande, Trenton, Vineland and West Deptford. The Trenton Office Complex is also open.

The inspection stations that have reopened include Bakers Basin, Cape May, Cherry Hill, Deptford, Eatontown, Kilmer, Lakewood, Lodi, Manahawkin, Mays Landing, Millville, Newark, Newton, Plainfield, Randolph, Salem, Secaucus, Southampton, Wayne and Winslow.

Customers are also reminded that all driver tests (written/road), driver conferences and specialty vehicle inspections previously scheduled for Nov. 1 through Nov. 3 have been cancelled. The MVC will reschedule these services for a future date.

To ease the burden on customers who did not have a chance to visit a facility last month for service, MVC Chairman and Chief Administrator Raymond P. Martinez has issued Administrative Order 2012-03 authorizing a 30-day extension for all driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations and inspections that expired on Oct. 31. The administrative order is available on the MVC’s website.

For additional information about MVC facilities, please visit www.njmvc.gov

Previous Mercer County-Specific Hurricane Sandy Coverage:

• Nov. 1: “Preliminary Mercer Damage Estimate: Over $2.5 Million”
• Oct. 31: “Power-Loss Safety Concerns Prompt Evacuations (Lawrence Township)”
• Oct. 31: “Princeton Township Opens Municipal Building to Residents”
• Oct. 31: “”
• Oct. 30: "Storm Cleanup Effort Underway in Lawrence Township"
• Oct. 30: "Photo Gallery: Lawrence Township & Hurricane Sandy"
• Oct. 30: "Lawrence Township: What's Going On With Sandy?"
• Oct. 30: “Hurricane Sandy Brings Chaos to Princeton”
• Oct. 30: "Princeton Man Dies During Hurricane Sandy"
• Oct. 30: “Photo Gallery: Hurricane Sandy Aftermath (East Windsor)”
• Oct. 30: “Photo Gallery: Hurricane Sandy (East Windsor)”
• Oct. 29: ""
• Oct. 29: "Mercer County Residents Urged to 'Shelter in Place'"
• Oct. 28: “Mercer County Braces for Storm”
• Oct. 28: “No Unauthorized Travel Allowed After 6 Tonight as Lawrence Township Declares State of Emergency”
• Oct. 28: “
• Oct. 27: “Lawrence Township Braces for Hurricane Sandy”
• Oct. 27: “Princeton Prepares for Hurricane Sandy”
• Oct. 27: “'Limited' State of Emergency Declared in Mercer County”
• Oct. 27: “Area Municipalities Prepare For Sandy”
• Oct. 26: “Mercer County Mobilizes Resources in Advance of Sandy”
• Oct. 26: “County Executive Urges Residents to Prepare for Sandy”

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