TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey commuters faced a difficult Thursday morning drive as multiple crashes, disabled vehicles, and long delays clogged major highways and river crossings across the region. Heavy congestion was reported on the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, and routes leading into New York City, with travel times exceeding 45 minutes at several Hudson River crossings.
The most significant backup developed along the New Jersey Turnpike and I-95 approaching the George Washington Bridge, where a three-mile delay extended north from Exit 69 in Teaneck into Fort Lee. Both the bridge’s upper and lower levels saw 45-minute eastbound travel times from I-80 to the Alexander Hamilton Bridge, according to traffic officials.
Key Points
- Crashes and disabled vehicles disrupt travel across major NJ highways
- Up to 45-minute delays reported at George Washington and Lincoln tunnels
- JFK Airport’s Terminal 4 parking lot at full capacity
Garden State Parkway incidents slow northbound traffic
Two separate incidents caused significant slowdowns on the Parkway’s northbound lanes. A disabled vehicle blocked the right lane just north of the Driscoll Bridge in Woodbridge Township around 7:39 a.m., while a crash near Exit 143C in Irvington Township restricted the right shoulder earlier at 7:35 a.m.
Further north, a two-mile backup developed between Exit 144 (CR 510, Newark) and Exit 147 (Clinton Avenue, East Orange) due to heavy volume.
Accidents and hazards reported across North and Central Jersey
On US 46 in Little Falls Township, a westbound crash near Rifle Camp Road closed the left lane and shoulder shortly after 7:00 a.m. Meanwhile, earlier overnight, downed wires shut down a westbound lane on US 46 near Knowlton Road in Knowlton Township.
Other slow-moving routes included NJ 17 northbound from Lodi to Rochelle Park, NJ 21 northbound through Clifton, and NJ 4 eastbound approaching Fort Lee, where congestion persisted through the morning rush.
In Bellmawr, a disabled vehicle on the I-76 eastbound ramp to NJ 42/I-295 blocked a lane near Exit 1A.
Heavy congestion at Hudson River crossings
Delays rippled through all major Hudson River crossings. Eastbound travel at both the Lincoln Tunnel’s center and south tunnels was averaging 40 minutes from Turnpike Exit 16E to the New York side. The Holland Tunnel reported 30-minute waits from the Turnpike’s Exit 14C and NJ-139 at Tonnelle Circle.
Meanwhile, the New Jersey Turnpike’s Hudson County Extension saw a two-mile eastbound delay between Interchange 14 (I-78) and the Newark Bay Bridge, feeding into the congestion heading toward the tunnels.
Parking and local road updates
At John F. Kennedy International Airport, the Terminal 4 Blue Parking Lot was reported 100% full by 7:30 a.m., leaving travelers scrambling for alternate parking options.
Drivers along NJ 29 northbound from Hamilton Township into downtown Trenton also experienced moderate delays, though all lanes remained open.
Authorities are urging motorists to allow for extra travel time and use alternate routes where possible. Traffic conditions are expected to remain heavy throughout the morning peak as cleanup crews respond to incidents and residual backups slowly clear.
Garden State Parkway
Traffic is backed up in several areas:
- Northbound near the Driscoll Bridge in Woodbridge Township: Disabled vehicle blocking the right lane (reported 7:39 a.m.).
- Northbound north of Exit 143C (NJ 124) in Irvington Township: Crash with the right shoulder blocked (7:35 a.m.).
- Northbound from Exit 144 (CR 510, Newark) to Exit 147 (Clinton Ave, East Orange): Two-mile delay due to volume (7:25 a.m.).
New Jersey Turnpike / I-95
- Northbound local and express lanes from Exit 69 (I-80, Teaneck) to the George Washington Bridge: Three-mile delay caused by bridge congestion (7:49 a.m.).
- Hudson County Extension eastbound from Interchange 14 (I-78) to east of the Newark Bay Bridge: Two-mile delay due to volume (7:16 a.m.).
- Entering at Interchange 14 (I-78/US 1&9, Newark): Delays tied to congestion on the Hudson County Extension (7:16 a.m.).
Hudson River crossings
- George Washington Bridge (upper and lower levels): Eastbound travel times are 45 minutes from I-80 to the Alexander Hamilton Bridge (7:40 a.m.).
- Lincoln Tunnel (center and south tunnels): Eastbound travel time is approximately 40 minutes from Turnpike Exit 16E to Manhattan (7:39 a.m.).
- Holland Tunnel (south tunnel): Eastbound delays of 30 minutes from both Turnpike Exit 14C and NJ-139 at Tonnelle Circle (7:24 a.m.).
Other major routes
- US 46 westbound (Little Falls Township): Crash near CR 633/Rifle Camp Road with left shoulder and one lane closed (7:10 a.m.).
- US 46 westbound (Knowlton Township): Downed wires east of CR 616/Knowlton Road; right lane closed (12:59 a.m.).
- US 46 eastbound (Little Falls Township): Delays from McBride Avenue to Rifle Camp Road; all lanes open (7:14 a.m.).
- NJ 17 northbound (Lodi to Rochelle Park): Heavy volume; all lanes open (7:21 a.m.).
- NJ 21 northbound (Passaic to Clifton): Slow traffic from Exit 13 (Ackerman Ave) to US 46 (7:18 a.m.).
- NJ 4 eastbound (Englewood to Fort Lee): Congestion reported, all lanes open (7:17 a.m.).
- NJ 29 northbound (Hamilton Township to Trenton): Delays continuing but all lanes open (7:30 a.m.).
- I-76 eastbound (Bellmawr): Disabled vehicle at Exit 1A (NJ 42/I-295) with a ramp lane closed (6:59 a.m.).
Regional impacts
- JFK Airport (Terminal 4 Blue Lot): Parking lot is at 100% capacity (7:30 a.m.), travelers advised to use alternate parking areas.
