4 ways to get around the Route 3 lane closure
A lane closure on Route 3 east, toward the Lincoln Tunnel, has caused delays, as NJDOT makes emergency repairs to the bridge. New Jersey Fast Traffic's Bob Williams suggests 4 alternate routes.
Williams says that delays stretched past MetLife Stadium back to the Garden State Parkway in Clifton on Thursday morning. Many drivers were unprepared for the lane closure, which is expected to last two weeks.
"It's a real choke point" says Williams of the closure spot, ticking off the roads that feed into that area including the Parkway, Turnpike, I-80, Route 17 and Route 46.
The NJ DOT says the roadway carries 75,000 vehicles a day.
Williams suggests 4 ways to get around the closure to the Lincoln Tunnel.
- 1
Interstate 80
Bob says this is the most direct route around the closure coming in from the west. Get onto the New Jersey Turnpike and then the eastern spur to exit 16E and continue on Route 3 east to the Lincoln Tunnel and past the bridge.
- 2
Interstate 280
Another good way in from the west especially if delays develop on I-80. Bob says taking I-280 east gets you to the Turnpike's eastern spur. Take it north to exit 16E for Route 3.
- 3
Interstate 78
Bob says if there are delays on both I-280 and I-80 then I-78 offers a great alternative and brings you to the northbound Turnpike. From here get onto the eastern spur and exit 16E.
- 4
New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit offers two alternate ways into New York. Commuter trains bypass Route 3 entirely while buses that normally use Route 3 are taking I-80 and trying to keep their normal schedule.