Here's What's Causing The Extremely Bad Traffic On Rt. 3

SECAUCUS, NJ — On Thursday, the NJ Department of Transportation revealed why there's been extremely bad traffic congestion on Rt. 3 this week.

It's because all lanes of Rt. 3 eastbound in Clifton are currently closed for emergency roadway repairs. They are letting traffic go by on the left shoulder only. It will remain this way through the Friday morning commute.

The road has to be repaired after an overturned tanker truck spilled cooking grease on Rt. 3 Wednesday.

The DOT is asking drivers to avoid Rt. 3 entirely and seek alternate routes.

The DOT said Thursday:

"All lanes on Rt. 3 eastbound are closed with traffic getting by on the left shoulder between Passaic Avenue and Main Avenue for emergency roadway repairs in Clifton. In addition, the exit ramp to Rt. 7/Passaic Avenue/Nutley/Passaic is closed and detoured. The lane closures are expected to last through the Friday morning commute and are expected to affect traffic through the entire region, including the Garden State Parkway."

The closures are necessary to repave a half-mile section of Rt. 3 eastbound between Passaic Avenue and Main Avenue in Clifton that was damaged by an overturned tanker truck that spilled cooking grease on the roadway Wednesday."

The part of Rt. 3 where the truck spilled cooking grease has to be repaved and resurfaced.

Motorists should avoid the area and seek alternate routes. Expect heavy congestion and delays throughout the region, including the Garden State Parkway.

Crews are mobilizing and will mill the damaged portion of the roadway and then resurface Rt. 3 eastbound. Work is expected to continue overnight and be completed late Friday morning. Motorists are advised to slow down and use caution when driving through the work zone. Expect delays or plan an alternate route for both Thursday evening and Friday morning rush hours.