New Jersey crash near Kennedy Boulevard leaves pedestrian dead, snarls Lincoln Tunnel traffic

A pedestrian was struck and killed early Wednesday morning on Route 495 in Union City, New Jersey, leading to major traffic delays around the Lincoln Tunnel, ABC7 New York reported.

The crash occurred on the westbound side of the highway near Kennedy Boulevard. Following the incident, traffic heading away from the Lincoln Tunnel was diverted onto local streets, causing heavy congestion throughout the area.

Inbound traffic to New York City was also severely affected, with delays stretching back along Route 3 by the Meadowlands as drivers slowed down to look at the scene, according to the news report.

The closure of the express bus lane worsened the situation, forcing buses to merge with regular traffic. Authorities urged commuters to use the George Washington Bridge as an alternate route.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Early snowfall triggers traffic chaos in Northern New Jersey

Winter weather made an early and messy debut in New Jersey’s northernmost counties on Tuesday morning, causing slippery roads, traffic jams, and several highway closures, NJ1015.com reported.

According to the National Weather Service, Sussex County recorded 1.4 inches of snow, while areas including Butler, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Morris, and Vernon saw up to two-tenths of an inch. The snowfall, combined with early-morning temperatures in the 20s, was enough to coat major routes in Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren counties.

New Jersey Fast Traffic’s Bob Williams said Route 23 was especially hard hit, with snow and black ice leading to hazardous conditions. “Route 206 was closed in both directions in the area of Stokes State Forest. Route 23 was also closed in Stockholm and in West Milford,” Williams said.

Among those caught in the gridlock was Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia (R-Sussex), who said she alerted DOT Commissioner Francis K. O’Connor about the situation.

Many residents expressed frustration that the state Department of Transportation (DOT) failed to anticipate snowfall in higher elevations. DOT spokesman Jim Barry told NJ1015.com that roads were not pre-treated because the initial forecast had called for rain, which could have washed away any salt or brine. He added that crews began treating roads later in the morning but were delayed by the traffic itself.

Chief Meteorologist Dan Zarrow had predicted a chance of snow showers early Tuesday — a forecast that proved right, marking the season’s first measurable snow and a reminder that winter travel challenges have officially begun in New Jersey.