TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey commuters faced a challenging morning as crashes, flooding, and heavy traffic caused widespread delays on key roadways throughout the state. Major incidents and volume-related congestion created bottlenecks on highways, tunnels, and bridges, impacting travel times for thousands.
Flooding on NJ 36 in Long Branch has closed all lanes in both directions near CR 29/Atlantic Avenue, forcing drivers to detour. Motorists are advised to use caution in the area, which remains inundated as of 7:20 a.m. Meanwhile, crashes on major roadways, including the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike, compounded delays. On the Parkway, a crash near Exit 132 in Woodbridge Township blocked one southbound lane, while another crash at the Turnpike’s Hudson County Extension near Interchange 14 in Newark blocked a center lane eastbound.
I-78 saw disruption in its local lanes with an eastbound crash west of Exit 54 in Hillside Township, closing one left lane. Additionally, overturned tractor trailers on I-287 northbound near Exit 44 in Boonton and on I-80 eastbound near Exit 34 in Rockaway Township caused partial closures and significant delays.
Bridge and tunnel crossings into New York City were also heavily congested. Travel times at the George Washington Bridge hovered around 45 minutes in both the upper and lower levels. The Lincoln Tunnel reported similar delays, with a 40-minute travel time eastbound from New Jersey Turnpike Exit 16E to the New York side.
Delays due to volume stretched across the Garden State Parkway, including an 8.5-mile northbound backup from Irvington Township to Bloomfield. The Turnpike’s Western Spur also saw slowdowns with a 2-mile northbound delay near Interchange 15W.
Drivers are encouraged to check traffic updates and plan alternate routes as road conditions evolve throughout the morning.