Salt Truck Hits Rt. 3 Electric Lines, Closing Major Artery For Hours

SECAUCUS, NJ — A salt truck collided with power lines on Rt. 3 in Secaucus Wednesday morning, which resulted in the closure of Rt. 3 in both directions and caused a major power outage in the town.

As of 10:40 a.m. Wednesday, repairs are still expected to last through the evening commute, said the state Department of Transportation, and the DOT is still advising the public to avoid Rt. 3 and its service roads entirely.

Rt. 3 is the main artery in and out of the Lincoln Tunnel to New York City. Traffic has been backed up on Rt. 3 since 6 a.m. for miles, with traffic delays extending even into Essex County.

The crash happened at 6:10 a.m., said Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli and Secaucus Police: A truck carrying road salt hit power lines.

It remains unknown what caused the bed of the salt truck to suddenly lift up, but the bed of the truck hit overhead live electric lines, said the mayor.

The crash brought down two poles and live electric wires onto the Rt. 3 roadway, said Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller. Both Rt. 3 east and westbound was closed by the state and Secaucus Police, as there were live electric wires in the roadway.

The driver of the road salt truck was not injured. It was not a Secaucus DPW salt truck, nor was it a salt truck for the state Department of Transportation, said Mayor Gonnelli.

As of 9:30 a.m., police have allowed cars to slowly start getting back onto Rt. 3 west. Rt. 3 east still remains closed.

Electricity was cut out to the center of Secaucus and the entire North End of town at the time of the crash. It has now been restored by PSE&G. Crews are still on the scene. There may be additional power outages throughout the day in Secaucus as PSE&G makes repairs.

From the DOT, here are the detours they recommend as of 10:40 a.m.:

The ramp from Route 495 westbound to Route 3 westbound is closed, and the ramps from Route 1&9 to Route 3 westbound are closed. The ramp from Route 495 westbound to the New Jersey Turnpike remains open. Route 3 eastbound is closed at Meadowlands Parkway.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use the following alternate routes and detours:

Route 3 eastbound

Alternate Routes

• Take Route 21 northbound and follow signs for Route 46 eastbound; or
• Continue on straight on Route 20 northbound to I-80 eastbound

Or

• Take Route 21 southbound to I-280 eastbound

Or

• Take Route 17 northbound to Route 46 eastbound or I-80 eastbound

Detour

• Cross the Hackensack River and take the Meadowlands Parkway exit
• Turn left onto Meadowlands Parkway
• Stay right to take the ramp to Secaucus Road/CR 678
• Follow Secaucus Road/CR 678 to Route 1&9 northbound or southbound

Route 495 westbound to Route 3 westbound detour

• Motorists on Route 495 westbound will be directed to take the exit for Route 1&9 northbound, just past the Kennedy Boulevard overpass
• Take Route 1&9 to Route 46 westbound

Route 1&9 northbound to Route 3 westbound detour

• Motorists on Route 1&9 northbound will be directed to continue on Route 1&9 northbound
• Take Route 94/Grand Avenue or Broad Avenue to Route 46 westbound

Route 1&9 southbound to Route 3 westbound detour

• Motorists on Route 1&9 southbound will be directed to continue on Route 1&9 southbound to Route 7 westbound

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information.