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Access to gas, power, islands improves in N.J.

The slow process of recovery from Hurricane Sandy continues in New Jersey.

The slow process of recovery from Hurricane Sandy continues in New Jersey.

Gov. Christie announced today the end of odd-even gas rationing in the state's 12 northern counties starting 6 a.m. Tuesday.

"The Odd/Even system has been very successful," Christie said in his Twitter feed. "It reduced anxiety and created order at the gas lines."

"It's time to get back to normal & back to work," Christie said, adding he had put away the blue fleece he wore during his tours of the state in the days after the Oct. 29 disaster.

Power is back on for 99.8 percent of the 2.7 million who lost power after the Oct. 29 superstorm. Still in the dark this morning were about 4,400 Jersey Central Power & Light customers, and only about 80 between PSE&G and Atlantic City Electric.

Students were reportedly back at school this morning on Long Beach Island, where residents were allowed to return Saturday and stay, if conditions permitted.

Traffic backed up this morning heading into Seaside Heights, in northern Ocean County, as residents were allowed to return to assess damage from Hurricane Sandy.

The access, limited today to 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., was for residents with ID, who could also bring along a friend or a helpful professional, such as a contractor or insurance adjuster, according to Mayor Bill Akers.

Other caveats: "While in town, you must only stay at your own property. There will be no access to the beach or boardwalk, and you may not leave town. Attempting to enter Ortley Beach or Seaside Park will subject you to arrest. There is a temporary speed limit in town of 5 miles per hour and you must consider every intersection a 4 way stop. There are no traffic signals operating and many of the street signs are missing or mis-directed."

NJ Transit is reporting restoration of some train lines, including ones into New York City.

"Even with this news, service into New York Penn remains extremely limited," said Transportation Commissioner James Simpson.

NJTransit.com has alerts next to every train line, except for the River Line, which reads "on time."