Heavy traffic, treacherous roadways in NJ as storm intensifies Tuesday afternoon

Driving is downright rough this afternoon as the storm intensifies, according to various reports. And conditions will just get worse. 

“Travel will be hazardous due to snow covered roads and periods of very low visilbity,” the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, NJ advises. “Areas of blowing and drifting snow will develop, especially this evening and tonight.”

Gary Szatkowski, head meteorologist at the local National Weather Service office, tweeted that he has seen “multiple reports” of gridlock across the region.

At 2 p.m., 511nj.org reports accidents on major highways throughout the Garden State, including the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway. The service reports heavy delays on numerous highways due to weather. Icing is also reported on the Shark River Drawbridge in Neptune and the Manasquan River Bridge in Brielle, forcing the closure of all lanes. Click here to see the latest reports from 511nj.org. 

Jersey Shore Hurricane News contributors also report treacherous conditions on roadways throughout the state (click here for their reports).

Linda Goonan Fisher said that Route 70 between Medford and Woodland was “horrible” around 2 p.m. Around 1:30 p.m., Anne Greco said that visibility on the road between Lakewood and Jackson was “diminishing by the minute,” with heavy traffic but most vehicle traveling at 20 to 25 mph.

For Angela Santos, a 15 minutes ride took over an hour. “Had to stop 3 times because my wipers [kept] getting chunks of ice and wouldn’t clear my windshield,” she said. Nikki Harker said that Rutgers University closed early, spurring heavy traffic throughout New Brunswick and on area roadways.

But Debbie Weber Szymczyk is luckily at home and offers a suggestion: “It’s cold and the snow is really wet in Jackson. The winds are already blowing and I’m home in my warm house cooking a roast which is what everyone should be doing.”