Lincoln Tunnel reopens, but traffic still a mess around NYC

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.
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.
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.
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.
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