Route 80 left lane opens, 10 hours after truck accident in Roxbury

Route 80 in Roxbury was partially reopened Friday afternoon, almost 10 hours after two tractor-trailer trucks crashed, causing one to overturn on an overpass and spill fuel, New Jersey State Police said.

The trucks crashed at 4:47 a.m. near Exit 34 on the Roxbury-Jefferson border, said Trooper Alejandro Goez. The left lane was reopened about 3 p.m., Goez said, with the other two lanes still closed as of 5 p.m.

The driver of the overturned truck was taken to St. Clare's Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, Goez said.

With highway shoulders closed for an ongoing construction project, police had no choice but to close all eastbound lanes, setting off a massive traffic jam that froze commuters on the highway through the morning rush, lunch hour and beyond.

Heavy morning traffic quickly backed up in both directions after the crash as westbound drivers slowed to rubberneck. Delays of 90 minutes were reported at peak and police were diverting traffic to detour routes.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation advised drivers to avoid the area and find alternate routes throughout the morning rush.

"Might want to start your weekend a day early," Roxbury police advised motorists on Facebook.

The accident is under investigation, Goez said.

William Westhoven: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com.