Lincoln Tunnel reopens, but traffic a mess around NYC as U.N. General Assembly street closures start
NEW YORK -- Traffic from a crash in the Lincoln Tunnel, followed by NJ Transit delays, made for a nightmare Tuesday morning commute into New York City.
It was also the first day of street closures for the United Nations General Assembly on Manhattan's East Side.
What happened in the Lincoln Tunnel?
Authorities with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said a motorcycle crashed in the center tube of the tunnel around 3:50 a.m. The driver was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
Just before 7 a.m., a bus broke down inside the tunnel, also causing major delays.
The center tube was closed for several hours, but construction in the north tube wrapped up early so it could open for the morning rush. At its peak, delays into the south tube stretched back to the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 3.
Some commuters were so fed up, they were seen hopping off buses, opting to walk instead.
"It's a lot of traffic. Wish I didn't have to deal with it, but it happens. September can be rough," one driver said.
"It's life in New York City. Can't complain. It doesn't happen that often anymore," another driver said.
As of 9:15 a.m., the crash was cleared and all lanes of the tunnel had reopened, but traffic was still backed up around the city.
Watch Chopper 2 over the extensive delays.
NJ Transit & Amtrak delays to make things worse
Service was suspended to and from Penn Station around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday and resumed within an hour. Once service was restored, commuters still faced hour-long delays.
"I started my commute this morning at 9:04, I was supposed to get into Penn Station at 9:40. Right now, it is 11:15," Rabbi Gaon Gilad said. "I missed my classes, I teach in the Upper East Side. So my school now they're all scrambling, had to find last-minute substitutions."
"We thought all these problems had been solved this summer, because there were so many issues this summer. But I guess it turned out not," commuter Nina Rappaport said.
"I feel like it's something that they should be able to get under control by now," commuter Abigail Amengual said.
Amtrak said a power issue from a substation was to blame. NJ Transit stated train service was back on schedule by 1 p.m.
Map shows UNGA 2024 gridlock street closures
Another heads up for drivers, Tuesday was the opening day of the United Nations General Assembly. Expect delays around 1st Avenue between 34th and 63rd streets, as well as the FDR Drive.
The U.N. General Assembly started Tuesday, Sept. 10 and lasts until Monday, Sept. 30, with the High-Level Debate taking place from Sept. 24 through 28.
The NYPD says the following street closures will be in effect until Sept. 29.
- FDR Drive between Whitehall Street and 42nd Street
- Area bounded by East 86th Street on the North, East 80th Street on the South, Park Avenue on the East and 5th Avenue on the West; All inclusive
- Area bounded by 60th Street on the North, 34th Street on the South, 1st Avenue on the East and 3rd Avenue on the West; All inclusive
- Area bounded by 57th Street on the North, 45th Street on the South, 3rd Avenue on the East and Madison Avenue on the West; All inclusive
- Area bounded by 58th Street on the North, 49th Street on the South, Madison Avenue on the East and 6th Avenue / Avenue of the Americas on the West; All inclusive
- Area bounded by West 47th Street on the North, West 44th Street on the South, 7th Avenue on the East and 8th Avenue on the West; All inclusive
- Grand Army Plaza between 58th Street and 60th Street
- Grand Army Plaza between East Drive and 5th Avenue
- 8th Avenue between West 49th Street and West 44th Street
- 6th Avenue between West 59th Street and West 46th Street
- 5th Avenue between East 63rd Street and East 49th Street
- Madison Avenue between East 58th Street and East 42nd Street
- Vanderbilt Avenue between East 47th Street and East 42nd Street
- Park Avenue between East 62nd Street and East 45th Street
- Lexington Avenue between East 57th Street and East 42nd Street
- East 63rd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 62nd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
- East 61st Street between 5th Avenue and Lexington Avenue
- West 59th Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
- West/East 58th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue / Avenue of the Americas
- West/East 57th Street between 7th Avenue and Dead End / FDR Drive
- West 56th Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
- West 55th Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
- West 54th Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
- West/East 53rd Street between 7th Avenue and FDR Drive
- West 52nd Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
- West 51st Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
- West/East 50th Street between 7th Avenue and Dead End / FDR Drive
- West/East 49th Street between 8th Avenue and FDR Drive Service Road
- FDR Drive Service Road between East 48th Street and East 49th Street
- East 48th Street between 1st Avenue and FDR Drive Service Road
- West 46th Street between 8th Avenue and 6th Avenue / Avenue of the Americas
- West/East 42nd Street between 7th Avenue and FDR Drive
- West/East 34th Street between 7th Avenue and FDR Drive
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