Traffic & Transit

Truck Overturns In NJ Near Lincoln Tunnel, 12 Injured: Officials

"The scene outside the Lincoln Tunnel looks like Die Hard 3 in real life," an onlooker commented on social media​.

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A truck overturned near the Lincoln Tunnel in New Jersey on July 3, 2019.
A truck overturned near the Lincoln Tunnel in New Jersey on July 3, 2019. (Photo: @doctrader5)

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — A truck overturned on NJ-495 westbound near the Lincoln Tunnel on Wednesday afternoon, causing 12 injuries and setting off major traffic delays, especially for bus riders, authorities said.

A Port Authority spokesperson told NorthJersey.com that a garbage truck fell off of the Palisade Avenue overpass and crashed into a Bolt Bus.

Altogether, 12 people were injured. Emergency responders transported them to nearby hospitals in stable condition, according to the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office.

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The Port Authority advised commuters to avoid the Lincoln Tunnel and take the Holland Tunnel or the George Washington Bridge instead. The eastbound portion of NJ-495 was open, but there was gridlock due to rubbernecking, a Port Authority spokesperson said.

"The scene outside the Lincoln Tunnel looks like Die Hard 3 in real life," an onlooker commented on social media.

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According to 511NJ.org, the crash took place west of Pleasant Avenue in Weehawken. All lanes of the highway were blocked around 1 p.m.

The City of Hoboken issued a traffic advisory about the incident at 1:46 p.m., identifying the crash location as Union City:

“Due to a major traffic crash on Route 495 in Union City, 495 is closed in both directions until further notice. Expect heavy delays in the north end of Hoboken. Delays are also expected at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. The Hoboken Police Department traffic bureau is heading to the north end to start traffic duty.”

"Expect heavy delays in the north end of Hoboken on the heaviest travel day of the summer," Police Chief Ken Ferrante said.

Bus riders were expected to be hit especially hard by the fallout from the crash, officials warned.

Officials posted the following message on the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) Twitter page:

"NJ Transit, private carriers, and PATH are cross-honoring system-wide. Extensive delays to outbound buses are ongoing. NJ Transit diversion to Secaucus Junction is no longer in effect. Please check with your carrier for updated departure information."

Port Authority officials later announced that all bus service from the PABT was suspended "until further notice."

Limited service from the PABT will resume at 4:30 p.m., officials announced in an update. Commuters should expect delays to outbound buses.

Shortly after the evening rush hours were over, Port Authority officials announced the crash site was cleared.

"All lanes of traffic are open westbound," officials stated. "Residual delays may occur."

This is a developing story. Patch will update this article if more information becomes available.

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