Big Traffic Trouble for the Big Game?

Will the big game bring big traffic problems to North Jersey?

It wasn't too long ago that a bus accident on Route 3 eastbound in Clifton closed down the road and caused problems and delays on both highways and secondary roads around the area.  Even auditions for American Idol at the Izod Center two years ago caused delays getting off Route 3.

New Jersey Fast Traffic's Bernie Wagenblast is optimistic about traffic and thinks it will actually be better than a typical Giants or Jets home game thanks to the emphasis on mass transit and the high price of parking. "On top of that, New Jersey DOT and the New Jersey Turnpike are lifting construction closings and will have incident response vehicles in the area so any crashes or breakdowns should be cleared more quickly than normal," says Wagenblast, a 35-year veteran of New Jersey traffic.

"I was involved with several major traffic events at the Meadowlands over the years, including the World Cup and the Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II, and these drew crowds as big as what's expected for the Super Bowl," recalls Wagenblast. "They didn't have the advantage of NJ Transit trains on site and they handled the traffic without major problems."

Basics of Traveling to MetLife Stadium

• The gates to the parking areas will open at 12noon and close 3 hours after the end of the game.
•  A parking pass must be purchased ahead of time at the Super Bowl website. All vehicles including limos, town cars, buses and RV's that want to enter the must purchase a pass.There are no drop off areas for any vehicles including limousines.
• Taligating is not allowed in the Izod Center or MetLife Stadium parking lots

Crowded Roads

Before and after the game Bernie expects the most crowded roads to be Route 3 and the New Jersey Turnpike, especially the western spur.Traffic will be tightly controlled as crews have covered many highway signs in the area. Lanes will be narrow through the Route 3 construction zone.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation is warning of delays on Routes 1&9, NJ 3, NJ 17, NJ 21, NJ 120, I-78, I-80, I-95, NJ 495, US 46, Garden State Parkway and the  New Jersey Turnpike.

Traffic will likely be worse leaving the game. Arrivals will be spread out during the course of the afternoon with an increasing amount of traffic as kickoff gets closer. Once the game is over, however,  attendees will likely leave around the same time creating delays on the road, bottlenecks in the parking lot and crowded NJ Transit trains.

Paterson Plank Road from Route 17 is a good "back way" in and out of  the MetLife Stadium area. Or, exit Route 17 at Moonachie Avenue and take it to Washington Avenue

New Jersey Fast Traffic will have you covered all day and night with updates every 15 minutes on the air and instantly on the traffic page at NJ1015.com.

Text TRAFFIC to 89000 and we'll text any major traffic and transit incidents before and after the game.

NJ 101.5 SMS Alerts (Max 8msg/mth); T&C and Privacy Policy at 89000.mobi. Reply STOP to opt-out or HELP for help.  Msg & Data rates may apply.