New jersey highway speeds reduced as black ice, downed poles and trees become a problem overnight

New Jersey Highway Speeds Reduced as Black Ice, Downed Poles and Trees Become a Problem Overnight

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1 min read
December 14, 2025

TRENTON, N.J. – Drivers across New Jersey faced slick roads and reduced speed limits Sunday evening as crews salted highways and local roads following the state’s first significant snow of the season.

As temperatures dip well below freezing, authorities warn on black ice, downed utility poles, and downed trees across the state, leading to speed restrictions on major highways.

Transportation officials issued multiple weather-related advisories along major routes, including the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, and several U.S. highways.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation warned motorists to allow extra travel time and to avoid unnecessary driving until conditions improve overnight.

Parkway speed limits lowered statewide

Speed advisories remained in effect along much of the Garden State Parkway, with limits reduced to 45 mph from Cape May to Montvale. Crews were spreading salt to prevent refreezing, and authorities reported spotty patches of ice on bridges and ramps.

A 50 mph advisory was posted for the section between Stafford Township and Egg Harbor Township, while salting continued from Tinton Falls to the southern coast.

Multiple local closures and crashes

In Salem County, all lanes of Route 49 were closed in both directions near Griffith Road due to heavy icing. A downed utility pole shut down both lanes of U.S. 206 near Eggert Crossing Road in Lawrence Township.

Farther north, one lane of Interstate 280 eastbound was closed near Exit 13 in Newark after a crash late Sunday evening. The Ben Franklin Bridge remained open, though its pedestrian walkway was closed due to ice accumulation.

Turnpike and Route 22 remain open

Despite the cold, the New Jersey Turnpike and U.S. Route 22 corridors were moving steadily, with travel times remaining close to normal Sunday night. From the George Washington Bridge to Interchange 18W, express and local lanes each averaged about 10 minutes, while travel from Interchange 6 to Interchange 1 took approximately 46 minutes.

Drivers were advised to continue using caution overnight as falling temperatures and residual moisture create black ice hazards into Monday morning.

Freezing conditions slowed travel and triggered road advisories across New Jersey following the weekend snowstorm.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

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