Trenton, NJ – A statewide emergency order failed to keep roads clear Monday morning as crashes, jackknifed tractor trailers, and downed wires clogged major highways across New Jersey, blocking ramps and shutting down lanes during the height of the commute.
Noon update
Blizzard conditions and high winds triggered a cascade of highway closures, truck bans, and speed restrictions across New Jersey on Sunday, as downed trees, wires, crashes, and disabled tractor trailers disrupted travel from Cape May to the New York state line.
Multiple state highways in South Jersey were closed by late morning after trees and utility lines fell across roadways. Sections of NJ 49 in Millville were shut down in both directions near Route 55 and at CR 610/Brandiff Avenue due to downed trees and wires. NJ 47 was closed southbound in Dennis Township and in both directions in Middle Township following reports of fallen trees and utility lines. NJ 154 northbound at NJ 41 in Cherry Hill Township and US 206 southbound in Southampton Township were also fully closed due to trees blocking all lanes.
At 12 p.m., a downed tree forced the closure of the ramp lane on I-295 southbound at Exit 30 in Lawnside.
On the bridges connecting New Jersey and Pennsylvania, weather restrictions remained in place, though lanes stayed open.
Truck bans issued on bridges, expressways
The Atlantic City Expressway was under a statewide travel ban beginning Sunday at 9 p.m. through Monday at 7 a.m., limiting roadway access to essential personnel only. The speed limit was reduced to 35 mph in both directions, and drivers were warned of active plowing and salting operations.
Empty tractor trailers were banned on the Walt Whitman, Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross, and Commodore Barry bridges due to high winds. Footwalk access on the Ben Franklin Bridge was closed early. Speed restrictions of 25 mph were also imposed on the Bayonne Bridge, Outerbridge Crossing, and Goethals Bridge, with shared-use paths closed on several spans.
The New Jersey Turnpike was operating under a 35 mph speed restriction on both inner and outer roadways from the Delaware Memorial Bridge to North Jersey amid plowing and salting operations. Similar restrictions were in effect on the Pennsylvania Extension.
- Multiple South Jersey highways closed due to downed trees and wires
- 35 mph speed limits in effect on major roadways including the Turnpike and Expressway
- Empty tractor trailers banned from several Delaware River bridges
Crashes, overturned trucks add to congestion
An overturned truck on I-287 southbound in Bernards Township closed one of three lanes near Exit 30. A separate overturned tractor trailer on I-80 eastbound near the Allamuchy Rest Area also shut down a right lane.
All lanes were blocked on the Turnpike’s inner roadway southbound at Interchange 12 in Carteret following a crash. A disabled tractor trailer closed all lanes on NJ 495 eastbound at NJ 3 in North Bergen Township, while another disabled truck forced the closure of NJ 3 westbound at NJ 495.
Additional delays were reported on the Turnpike/I-95 local lanes northbound between Leonia and Fort Lee, and on NJ 17 northbound in Bergen County.
In Pennsylvania, PennDOT implemented Tier 4 and Tier 1 commercial vehicle restrictions on interstates including I-78, I-80, I-76, I-95, I-676, and I-295 near the New Jersey state line effective Sunday evening in anticipation of worsening conditions.
Motorists statewide were urged to avoid unnecessary travel as crews continued plowing and clearing debris from affected roadways.
By 8:45 a.m., a jackknifed tractor trailer shut down all lanes on the New Jersey Turnpike southbound entrance ramp at Interchange 8A–NJ 32 in South Brunswick Township. Minutes earlier, a crash blocked the northbound entrance ramp to the Garden State Parkway at Exit 123–US 9 in Sayreville, though mainline lanes remained open.
Multiple incidents were reported on the Turnpike’s inner and outer roadways. A vehicle left the roadway northbound north of Interchange 6 in Mansfield Township, blocking one right lane. In Newark, a crash on the inner roadway southbound north of Interchange 14–I-78/US 1&9 blocked the right lane. A disabled vehicle on the local lanes northbound north of Exit 71–NJ 4/Broad Avenue in Englewood blocked a center lane, while a disabled tractor trailer closed the entrance ramp at Interchange 15E–US 1&9 on the Eastern Spur.
Tractor trailers and crashes block major corridors
On I-295 northbound south of Exit 63–NJ 33 in Hamilton Township, two of three left lanes were closed following a crash reported shortly after 8 a.m. On I-80 eastbound east of the Allamuchy Rest Area, an overturned tractor trailer closed one right lane and the shoulder.
A disabled tractor trailer on the Turnpike outer roadway northbound at Interchange 7–US 206 in Bordentown Township forced a ramp closure and detour. On NJ 3 eastbound east of Paterson Plank Road in North Bergen, a disabled tractor trailer blocked one of three right lanes.
Downed wires created additional hazards. All lanes were closed on NJ 83 eastbound west of CR 608/Kings Highway in Dennis Township. On NJ 36 north of Long Branch Avenue in Long Branch, both directions were shut down due to wires across the roadway. US 46 eastbound at I-287 in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township was also closed in all lanes because of downed wires.
- Jackknifed and overturned tractor trailers blocked key Turnpike and I-80 lanes
- Multiple crashes closed ramps and reduced travel lanes statewide
- Downed wires forced full closures on several state highways
Speed limits reduced on major crossings
Speed restrictions were implemented on several bridges and expressways. The New Jersey Turnpike reported ongoing incidents across both inner and outer roadways, while the Bayonne Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing were limited to 25 mph in both directions due to salting operations. The Bayonne Bridge’s shared use path was closed to pedestrians and bicyclists.
The Atlantic City Expressway reduced its speed limit to 35 mph in both directions from west of the Atlantic City Convention Center to the western terminus at NJ 42 in Washington Township.
The widespread incidents unfolded despite emergency declarations urging residents to stay off the roads unless travel was necessary. Authorities continued to respond to crashes and disabled vehicles as snow and ice persisted across the state’s busiest corridors.
Emergency crews respond to statewide storm-related incidents