NJ Weather: Snow Causes Massive Delays, Crashes, School Closings

Massive delays and vehicle crashes caused by snow, ice and rain were creating lots of problems on New Jersey highways on Wednesday. A truck fire on I-78 and a car crash on the Garden State Parkway were causing considerable problems for commuters.

The weather caused a number of school districts to delay openings or close completely. Read more: New Jersey School Closings/Delays List - 1/17/18

The State Police said it's responded to at least 66 collisions since midnight, but there could be more as the snow and wintry mix get worse.

The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement for New Jersey, saying slippery conditions are expected on area roads through the day. Light snow is winding down across the state.

Any new accumulations should be less than one inch. However, temperatures across New Jersey are near or below freezing and are expected to stay steady or slowly fall through the day. Thus, any standing water from earlier precipitation could freeze causing slippery conditions.

"Please exercise caution when driving today. Reduce speed and allow extra following distance with the vehicle in front of you," according to the NWS.

A tractor trailer fire on I-78 west of Exit 45 in Berkeley Heights was causing 90 minute delays. The right and center lanes were closed. Read more: Tractor Trailer Fire On I-78 Causing Major Delays Wednesday

An accident on the Garden State Parkway in Lakewood was also causing considerable delays. A sand truck flipped in South Brunswick after it was struck.

Parsippany reported a number of crashes on its roads.

Airports were also experiencing the impacts of the weather.

Here is what is also happening on New Jersey roads:

• Speed restriction: New Jersey Turnpike in both directions from Delaware Memorial Bridge in Pennsville Twp to George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee 45 miles per hour, for salting pperations.
• Speed restriction: Garden State Parkway in both directions from Cape May to New York state line in Montvale; 45 miles per hour, for salting operations.
• Accident: US 1&9 Truck Route southbound at Hackensack River Drawbridge in Kearny/Jersey City. Center lane closed.
• Vehicle fire: Garden State Parkway local lanes southbound North of Exit 109 - CR 520 in Middletown Twp. All lanes open.
• Tractor trailer fire: NJ 55 northbound north of Exit 45 - Buck Rd in Elk Twp. Right shoulder closed; use caution.
• Downed wires: US 202 southbound ramp to southbound I-287 in Bedminster Twp. Ramp closed; use caution.
• Accident: US 206 northbound South of Ewing St in Princeton Twp. Right shoulder closed; use caution.
• Accident: US 46 eastbound area of NJ 20 in Clifton. Center lane closed; 5-10 minute delay.
• Accident: New Jersey Turnpike southbound exiting at Molly Pitcher Service Area in Cranbury Twp. Left lane blocked on the exit ramp.
• Tractor trailer: NJ 55 northbound north of Exit 45 - Buck Rd in Elk Twp. Right shoulder closed; use caution.
• Delays: NJ 495 westbound between NJ 3 in North Bergen Twp and New Jersey Turnpike in Secaucus due to volume.
• Delays: Lincoln Tunnel eastbound from New Jersey. The travel time is 30 minutes from New Jersey Turnpike Exit 16E to the New York side.
• Delays: Garden State Parkway northbound from Exit 150 - Bay Ave in Bloomfield to Exit 153A - NJ 3 in Clifton 3 mile delay, due to volume.

South Brunswick police photo