Lincoln Tunnel Accident Brings Commute To Standstill

NEW YORK, NY — An accident on a road leading to the Lincoln Tunnel has caused massive delays during the Monday morning commute, transit officials said.

Traffic delays of up to 60 minutes were reported during the morning rush hour after two cars and a bus collided on New Jersey Route 495, a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey spokeswoman said. The road connects the Lincoln Tunnel with the New Jersey Turnpike, and drivers heading to New Jersey were diverted to Hoboken, the spokeswoman said.

The accident occurred around 7:15 a.m. in a westbound lane, a Port Authority spokesperson said. Injuries suffered by drivers do not appear life threatening, the spokesperson said.

All lanes on NJ-495, including the express bus lane to New York, were closed after the accident, a Port Authority spokesperson said. The exclusive bus lane was closed from about 7:15 to 8:30 a.m., and the crash was fully cleared by about 8:45 p.m., the spokesperson said.

One witness waiting for an NJ Transit bus in New Jersey told Patch that packed buses were passing bus stops without stopping to pick up passengers.

The Lincoln Tunnel experienced residual delays following the reopening of NJ-495. Drivers heading to New Jersey were able to avoid the mess by using the George Washington Bridge or the Holland Tunnel.

Photo by Patch