EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Several crashes, disabled vehicles, and delays caused significant slowdowns on major North Jersey highways Friday morning.
A crash on NJ 3 eastbound just west of the Hackensack River Bridge in East Rutherford blocked one right lane and the shoulder shortly after 8:30 a.m.
Around the same time, two left lanes were closed on the Garden State Parkway southbound north of Exit 136 in Cranford Township following a crash near Stiles Street.
A disabled vehicle also blocked the center lane on the Garden State Parkway southbound near Exit 140 in Union Township around 8:20 a.m.
Multiple Parkway incidents affect traffic flow
A separate crash on the Garden State Parkway northbound near the Essex Toll Plaza in Bloomfield at 8:03 a.m. was moved to the right shoulder, allowing all lanes to reopen. However, rubbernecking delays continued between Clark Township and Cranford Township, where a two-mile backup developed near Exit 135.
Traffic also built up on NJ 21 northbound from Randolph Avenue in Passaic to the Garden State Parkway in Clifton, with all lanes open but slower travel times reported.
Bridge and tunnel congestion adds to delays
Commuters heading into New York encountered heavy traffic at major crossings. Travel times at both levels of the George Washington Bridge reached about 30 minutes from I-80 to the Alexander Hamilton Bridge. The Lincoln Tunnel’s center and south tubes also saw 15-minute delays from the New Jersey Turnpike’s Exit 16E to the New York side.
Other roadway conditions reported statewide
On the New Jersey Turnpike, the westbound exit ramp to NJ 33 at Interchange 8 in East Windsor Township remained closed for an outside agency assist, with reopening scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
In Moorestown, a malfunctioning traffic light was reported around 5:14 a.m. at the intersection of NJ 38 and Mt. Laurel Road, though traffic continued to move through the area.
Elsewhere, NJ 17 southbound saw delays from Paramus to Rochelle Park, with congestion near Central Avenue but no lane closures reported.
Drivers across the region faced extended travel times as morning incidents gradually cleared through midmorning.