TRENTON, N.J. – Drivers across New Jersey are encountering a busy Thursday morning commute as crashes, construction, and heavy traffic volume create delays on several of the state’s busiest highways.
The most significant incidents include injury crashes in Burlington and Middlesex counties, along with congestion approaching the George Washington Bridge and on portions of the New Jersey Turnpike during the peak morning rush.
Injury crashes reported in Burlington and Middlesex counties
As of 8:08 a.m., emergency crews were responding to a crash with injuries on Interstate 295 northbound at Exit 36 for NJ 73 in Mount Laurel Township. The left shoulder was closed while responders worked at the scene.
Another crash with injuries was reported at approximately the same time on U.S. Routes 1&9 northbound north of NJ 35 in Woodbridge Township. Two of the highway’s three right lanes were closed, causing delays through the area.
Further north on the New Jersey Turnpike, a crash investigation and separate property damage crash continued to affect the outer roadway northbound north of Interchange 7A (I-195) in Robbinsville. One right lane remained blocked as of the latest report.
Road work and heavy volume slow commuters
Maintenance crews were performing pothole repairs on the Turnpike’s outer roadway northbound south of Interchange 10 near NJ 440/I-287 in Edison Township. Although all travel lanes remained open, motorists were urged to use caution while passing the work zone.
Heavy traffic volume also created significant delays approaching the George Washington Bridge. Northbound local lanes on the Turnpike/I-95 experienced about a 1½-mile backup from Exit 71 in Leonia to north of Exit 72A in Fort Lee, while the express lanes carried approximately a two-mile delay along the same stretch.
Additional congestion was reported on the Hudson County Extension eastbound between Newark and Bayonne, where traffic backed up for about two miles approaching the Newark Bay Bridge.
Delays reported on several other highways
Drivers also encountered slower traffic on several additional commuter routes Thursday morning:
- NJ 124 westbound between Millburn and Florham Park due to heavy traffic.
- Interstate 78 local lanes westbound between Union Township and Springfield Township.
- NJ Route 3 westbound through Clifton from the Garden State Parkway to Grove Street.
Officials reported all lanes remained open on those roadways despite slower travel times caused by morning commuter volume.
Truck restrictions remain in effect
Commercial drivers should also be aware of ongoing restrictions affecting freight traffic.
Truck restrictions remain in place on Port Street in Newark as a long-term construction project reduces the roadway to one lane in each direction with an 11-foot width restriction. Oversized vehicles are being directed to alternate routes, and escorts remain available through the Port Authority Police Department for qualifying loads.
Additional permanent restrictions remain in effect for oversized trucks using the George Washington Bridge. Trucks wider than 10 feet or longer than 110 feet remain prohibited from certain bridge approaches, and commercial vehicles are advised to follow posted routing instructions near Exit 73.
