Lincoln Tunnel backups, Fairview fire shutdown, and Turnpike congestion impact drivers
North Jersey – A series of traffic incidents and heavy commuter volume caused widespread delays across North Jersey and into New York City during the Friday morning rush, with tunnel backups, a road closure due to fire, and ongoing congestion on major highways.
The most serious incident was reported in Fairview, where a building fire shut down all lanes of Route 63 in both directions north of Fairview Avenue as of 8:16 a.m. Authorities have not released details on injuries or the cause of the fire.
Meanwhile, delays into Manhattan remained significant, with both the Lincoln and Holland tunnels reporting extended travel times. The Lincoln Tunnel saw delays of up to 25 minutes from the New Jersey Turnpike Exit 16E, while the Holland Tunnel reported 15-minute travel times from Exit 14C and Route 139.
Multiple delays across major highways
Key Points
- Route 63 in Fairview closed in both directions due to building fire
- Up to 25-minute delays reported at Lincoln Tunnel; 15 minutes at Holland Tunnel
- Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Route 17 experiencing multi-mile congestion
Heavy traffic volumes contributed to delays across several key roadways. The New Jersey Turnpike’s Hudson County Extension had a 1.5-mile delay eastbound near Newark, while the Western Spur saw a 2-mile northbound backup approaching Interchange 15W.
On the Garden State Parkway, drivers faced delays in both directions between East Orange and Irvington, with additional congestion stretching four miles northbound between Clark and Union.
Route 17 northbound in Bergen County and Route 208 southbound through Wyckoff and Fair Lawn also experienced slowdowns, though all lanes remained open in those areas.
Additional incidents and travel advisories
A downed utility pole on Route 47 in Vineland caused partial lane closures, with one southbound lane and the shoulder blocked. Northbound lanes remained open.
At the George Washington Bridge, truck restrictions were in place on the lower level eastbound, with commercial vehicles advised to use designated exits.
At John F. Kennedy International Airport, Terminal 5 parking was reported at 97% capacity as of 8:35 a.m., signaling heavy travel demand.
Drivers are urged to allow extra travel time and seek alternate routes where possible as conditions continue to evolve throughout the day.
