Tractor Trailer Collision on NYS Thruway Causes Major Traffic Backup

Numerous people in Ulster County are reporting heavier than usual traffic on area roads specifically in New Paltz and roads heading North out of that area. This is a direct result of an accident that is still being clear on the Northbound New York State Thruway just north of the New Paltz exit, Exit 18.

Tractor-Trailer Truck Strikes NYS Thruway Truck North of New Paltz, New York

The New York State Thruway Authority issued a traffic alert at around 2 PM today that motorists should find an alternate route and avoid the NYS Thruway north of New Paltz.

The alert stated that the New York State Thruway will continue to be backed up throughout the afternoon due to an earlier accident that involved a tractor-trailer truck and a New York State Thruway work vehicle.

Details are still being gathered about the cause of the accident, but the traffic situation is clear. Travelers should exit the NYS Thruway south of New Paltz if possible by using Exit 17 in Newburgh, New York, or take Exit 18 in New Paltz to avoid the accident scene. Drivers are being asked to pick an alternate route to go north.

Traffic Alert Issued For the New York State Thruway Friday, June 7th Near New Paltz

In a post on the NYS Thruway Authority Facebook page, some information was released about the accident saying that it did involve a tractor-trailer truck that hit a Thruway maintenance vehicle. The crash injured one of the New York State Thruway Authorities employees and the driver of the tractor-trailer.  Their injuries and current condition were not reported in the post.

The investigation is ongoing and the clean-up and recovery are expected to continue through the afternoon. Drivers should expect delays. Friday afternoon volume and congestion from the traffic trying to avoid the area is already causing problems on area back roads and local highways.

Though the accident investigation is still ongoing please remember that New York State has strict policies about traveling through work zones in order to protect the people working to improve our roads. It is important to obey all signs for road work and construction.

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