Traffic capacity increasing on I-287
in time for evening commute
Motorists should expect congestion nonetheless and consider alternate routes

(Trenton) - Motorists will have two travel lanes in each direction available for the evening commute on a section of I-287 between I-78 and I-80 where this morning a plane crashed in the median between the northbound and southbound lanes.

Normal capacity is three travel lanes in each direction, so motorists should expect congestion and consider alternate routes. Capacity remains restricted due to the ongoing crash investigation.

The crash in Morris Township snarled traffic all day. At times during the day, traffic was completely halted or limited to travel on the shoulders only in the vicinity of the crash near mile marker 35.

Two travel lanes were opened to southbound traffic through the crash zone at about 2:30 p.m., with a single travel lane and the shoulder opened to northbound motorists at 3 p.m.

“Regaining this travel capacity is good news, but this is a major incident and we anticipate delays,” said NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson. “We are deploying portable Dynamic Message Signs throughout the area to alert motorists of the situation and to help them choose alternate routes.”

Information is also posted on www.511nj.org

• Alternate routes for I-287 southbound motorists include exiting I-287 at Route 24 to I-78, where they can travel east or west, or motorists can head east on I-80 to Route 19 to the Garden State Parkway.

• Alternate routes for motorists who normally travel north on I-287 can take I-78 eat to Route 24 and head north to return to I-287 north of the crash zone. Alternatively, they can stay on I-78 east and take the Garden State Parkway north to I-80.

Additional NJDOT Safety Service Patrol vehicles will be patrolling the region to assist disabled motorists and maintain travel capacity.