Northern New Jersey Traffic Delays from Accidents and Infrastructure Projects

Significant traffic congestion in Northern New Jersey is being driven by a combination of multiple vehicle accidents and extensive infrastructure projects. Key highways such as the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, US 1&9, and I-280 are experiencing lane closures and delays, impacting commuter travel across Morris, Essex, and Hudson counties, as well as routes into New York City. The congestion is particularly severe during weekday peak hours. A series of recent crashes have disrupted traffic flow on critical corridors including the inner roadway northbound on the New Jersey Turnpike, northbound Garden State Parkway near Exit 145, southbound US 1&9 near the New Jersey Turnpike, and eastbound I-280 in Newark. These incidents have compounded delays that are already caused by weekday traffic volumes. The George Washington Bridge is also experiencing eastbound delays between 25 to 30 minutes, stemming from congestion along I-95 stretching from I-80 to the Alexander Hamilton Bridge. Likewise, northbound delays of up to 5 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike Eastern and Western Spurs and three miles on the Garden State Parkway northbound have been reported. These delays reflect the interplay of traffic volume and restrictive lane availability. Ongoing construction projects are further inhibiting mobility. Lane closures on the George Washington Bridge, extensive project-related shutdowns in the Newark Port area, and roadway work on routes including CR-636 in Woodland Park, I-80 Exit 56B ramp, NJ Route 7 in Kearny, and Marin Boulevard between Jersey City and Hoboken are extending the duration of commute disruptions. Some construction-related closures will last through mid-2026, indicating sustained impacts on traffic patterns. Transportation authorities are monitoring traffic conditions and advising drivers to exercise caution in work zones and congested areas. Real-time traffic updates and consideration of alternate routes or transport modes are recommended to mitigate the impact of these disruptions. The combined effect of unplanned accidents and long-term infrastructure upgrades underscores the complex challenge of managing traffic flow in a high-density urban corridor. Weather conditions currently are clear and may not contribute to further deterioration of roadway conditions, but the high volume of vehicles and ongoing projects remain primary factors affecting commute times. The current environment reinforces the importance of strategic traffic management, planning, and infrastructure investment in regional transportation networks.