​Annual Salamander Migration Is Underway, East Brunswick To Shut Road

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ – For the next several weeks, a portion of Beekman Road will be closed overnight, as the annual salamander crossing is underway in the township.

Beekman Road in East Brunswick, which turns into White Pine Road in South Brunswick, will be closed during the overnight hours between Church Lane (East Brunswick) and Davidsons Mill Road (South Brunswick) as salamanders cross the road.

“The salamanders cross the road because they live in the woods on one side of the road and move to a breeding pond on the opposite side of the road,” the police department said.

“Once the salamanders are done laying eggs, they will sporadically cross the road back to the woods over the course of a month.”

The salamander migration generally occurs during warm rainy nights in late winter or early spring.

The road closure, typically from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m., will take place sporadically over the next several weeks and is based on weather conditions that will result in the likely movement of salamanders to vernal pools.

Motorists have been advised to slow down, exercise caution, and use Cranbury Road or Fresh Ponds Road as an alternate route.

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