Potara On September 10, 2024, a severe traffic incident in the Lincoln Tunnel, New Jersey, caused widespread disruptions, impacting commuters heading into New York City during the early morning hours. The accident involved a motorcyclist who crashed in the center tube at approximately 3:50 a.m. The rider was critically injured and rushed to the hospital. This crash led to the closure of both westbound lanes of the tunnel, causing massive delays for several hours.
The tunnel's center tube remained closed for about five hours, reopening around 9:15 a.m. During this time, traffic was diverted to the south tube, which was already under strain from morning commuters. Additionally, construction work in the north tube had to be wrapped up earlier than planned to help manage the increased traffic load. The delays were felt beyond the Lincoln Tunnel, with commuters facing extended travel times of up to 90 minutes. Other transportation hubs, such as the George Washington Bridge and nearby highways like Route 3, also saw heavy congestion due to the crash.
The effects of the accident rippled throughout the morning, as NJ Transit buses and other vehicles trying to reach Manhattan experienced severe backups. The accident compounded existing traffic caused by a separate incident along Route 3 in Bergen County. Despite the tunnel reopening, the gridlock continued into the late morning, highlighting the vulnerability of key transit arteries in the region.
Local authorities are investigating the crash, while the motorcyclist remains in critical condition at the hospital.