Lincoln Tunnel Traffic Paralyzed After Fatal Pedestrian Crash Amid Early Winter Snows

Fatal Crash Near Lincoln Tunnel Throws New Jersey Commute Into Chaos

In the early hours of Wednesday, November 12, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded on Route 495 in Union City, New Jersey. A pedestrian was struck and killed near Kennedy Boulevard, leading to a cascade of problems for thousands of commuters relying on the Lincoln Tunnel—a lifeline linking New Jersey and Manhattan. According to ABC7 New York and Reuters, the westbound lane closure forced traffic to reroute onto local streets, creating gridlock that extended for miles.

Ripple Effects: Tunnel Congestion and Gridlock Spread

The immediate aftermath saw vehicles departing the Lincoln Tunnel redirected, resulting in heavy congestion not just locally but also for inbound traffic heading into New York City. Delays rippled outward, with Route 3 near the Meadowlands clogged as drivers slowed to gawk at the crash scene. The closure of the express bus lane—a critical artery for thousands of daily commuters—meant buses were forced to merge with regular traffic, compounding the mess. Authorities advised drivers to seek alternate routes, notably the George Washington Bridge, but relief was limited as the region struggled under the weight of the morning’s events.

What’s striking is the domino effect a single tragic event can have on urban infrastructure. The Lincoln Tunnel, which typically handles more than 120,000 vehicles daily, became a bottleneck. Rerouted traffic overwhelmed local streets in Union City, transforming the morning commute into a slow-motion ordeal. For many, it was an unwelcome reminder of how vulnerable major transit corridors are to disruption.

Winter’s Early Arrival: Snowfall Deepens the Crisis

As if the crash and ensuing traffic snarls weren’t enough, northern New Jersey was grappling with its first significant snowfall of the season. Chief Meteorologist Dan Zarrow had forecast a chance of snow showers early Tuesday, and the reality was harsher than expected. The National Weather Service reported 1.4 inches of snow in Sussex County and up to two-tenths of an inch in Butler, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Morris, and Vernon. Temperatures dipped into the 20s, icing over roads and transforming routine travel into a hazardous venture.

Major routes in Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren counties were blanketed, creating slippery conditions and leading to additional highway closures. Bob Williams from New Jersey Fast Traffic described Route 23 as particularly treacherous, with black ice and snow bringing movement to a near standstill. Route 206 was shut down in both directions near Stokes State Forest, and Route 23 faced closures in Stockholm and West Milford. Images circulating in local social media groups depicted solitary vehicles inching along snow-packed lanes, a scene of forced patience and palpable frustration.

State Response: DOT Scrambles Amid Criticism

The timing of the snow caught many off guard, including the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT). Residents and local officials voiced frustration over what they perceived as insufficient preparation. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia (R-Sussex) was among those stuck in the gridlock and reported the situation directly to DOT Commissioner Francis K. O’Connor. DOT spokesman Jim Barry explained that roads had not been pre-treated with salt or brine, citing forecasts that predicted rain—which would have washed away such treatments. Instead, crews began applying de-icers later in the morning, but by then, the traffic backlog made rapid progress impossible.

Many commuters wondered: could better coordination and earlier action have prevented the worst of the delays? The DOT’s response was hampered by the very congestion it sought to alleviate, underscoring the challenge of managing infrastructure under pressure from both human error and the unpredictable force of nature.

Commuter Voices: Frustration and Adaptation

For those caught in the chaos, patience wore thin. Long waits and rerouted buses meant missed appointments, late arrivals, and a sense of helplessness. Social media buzzed with updates, complaints, and calls for more proactive measures from city and state agencies. Some commuters heeded official advice and detoured via the George Washington Bridge, only to find that route congested as well. The twin crises—a fatal pedestrian crash and the season’s first snow—had exposed the fragility of the region’s transportation grid.

The incident is a stark reminder that urban infrastructure is only as resilient as its weakest link. When a single event—whether accidental or weather-related—occurs at a critical juncture, the consequences can be far-reaching and deeply disruptive.

Ongoing Investigation and Lessons for the Future

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the pedestrian’s death on Route 495. The cause of the crash remains undetermined, but its impact is undeniable. Meanwhile, local officials and transportation planners are reflecting on lessons learned. Could improved forecasting and swifter action have minimized the fallout? What investments in infrastructure and emergency response might blunt the force of future disruptions?

For now, the Lincoln Tunnel has reopened and traffic is slowly returning to normal. But the events of November 12th, 2025, will linger in the minds of commuters and city planners alike—a vivid illustration of how quickly routine can unravel.

Assessment: The convergence of an unexpected fatal accident and early winter weather created a perfect storm for New Jersey’s commuters, revealing gaps in both infrastructure resilience and emergency preparedness. The incident highlights the urgent need for coordinated planning and real-time response systems that can better absorb shocks—whether human or natural—in a densely populated urban corridor.