Drivers should expect heavy delays on parts of the Clearview Expressway tonight as law enforcement officials conduct a routine counterterrorism exercise.

As a result of the scheduled exercise, drivers should expect traffic between exits 3 and 4 on the southbound side of the Clearview Expressway. It will start at 9 tonight and end at 4 in the morning.

The exercise will test law enforcement response to weapons of mass destruction.

More than 40 state and federal agencies, including the New York City Police Department, the FBI, the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy, will be involved in the exercise.

“It’s an important aspect of what we do,” said Police Commissioner Ray Kelly of the training. “We have to be able to work closely with multiple agencies and you get there by practicing.”

The counterterrorism initiative called Securing Our Cities is largely funded by federal dollars; however, the current federal budget proposal may cause the city to eliminate the program.

(Source: NY1)