Emergency Water Main Repairs Complete In Edison
All lanes on Route 1 reopened early Wednesday after emergency water main repaires caused miles-long backups and regional gridlock
The water main break under Route 1 in Edison caused the highway to sink several inches, said Edison Mayor Sam Joshi. (Source: Mayor Sam Joshi / Facebook)
Chris Howell | January 27, 2026
Updated: 4:30 AM
Update: Route 1 fully reopens in Edison after emergency water main repairs
Route 1 in Edison has fully reopened after emergency repairs to a water main forced officials to shut down the highway earlier this week, triggering miles-long backups and widespread gridlock across Central Jersey.
In an advisory issued early Wednesday, Edison officials said water main repairs near the Morris Goodkind Bridge have been completed, and all lanes of Route 1 northbound and southbound are now open.
The closure, which began Monday, snarled traffic during multiple peak commute periods, with detours pushing congestion into neighboring communities and complicating travel as the region continued to recover from last week’s snowstorm.
No additional traffic restrictions were reported following the reopening. Officials did not indicate whether further work is planned at the site.
Update: Route 1 northbound remains fully closed in Edison ahead of the evening rush
Crews worked for 36 hours in brutally cold conditions to fix a 70-year-old water main that broke beneath Route 1, causing the highway to sink, said Edison Mayor Sam Joshi. (Source: Mayor Sam Joshi / Facebook)
All Route 1 northbound lanes remain closed in Edison as crews continue repairs on a water main break, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, as commuters head into the evening rush.
In a late-afternoon update, NJDOT said the closure remains in effect between Route 18 and Woodbridge Avenue. On the southbound side, two of three lanes are now open south of Woodbridge Avenue, while the left lane remains closed.
“Repairs are ongoing,” NJDOT said, urging drivers to expect major delays and to follow posted detours or plan alternate routes.
Edison Mayor Sam Joshi told News 12 New Jersey that the break occurred where four pipes intersect under the highway.
The mayor said crews are working to stabilize the situation and restore full access as quickly as possible, while also emphasizing safety concerns tied to the damaged infrastructure.
“This is something that we anticipate because of the fluctuating temperatures,” Joshi said. “This week is going to be rough for not just Edison but for across the state.”
The disruption continues to complicate travel during the first full workday since the state of emergency related to last week’s snowstorm was lifted at noon Monday.
NJ Transit is also operating on a modified schedule, adding to challenges for commuters across Central Jersey.
This story will continue to be updated as repair work progresses and additional lanes reopen.
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Route 1 remains mostly shut down in both directions in south Edison on Tuesday morning as crews continue to respond to a water main break, creating widespread gridlock during the first full weekday commute since the state of emergency tied to last week’s snowstorm was lifted.
As of the morning commute, Route 1 southbound has partially reopened at Plainfield Avenue, with the right and center lanes now open. The left lane remains closed. Northbound lanes remain largely shut down through the affected stretch.
The closure, first reported by The Central Jerseyan, has triggered heavy delays not only along Route 1 but also on alternate routes through neighboring communities, including Highland Park, where surface streets have become heavily congested as drivers attempt to bypass the shutdown.
Deputy Police Chief Robert Dudash previously confirmed the Route 1 closure in Edison, which extends between the Morris Goodkind Bridge area and Plainfield Avenue. An estimated timeline for full reopening has not yet been provided.
The disruption is especially significant because it marks the first weekday morning commute since the statewide snow emergency was lifted at noon Monday, sending more drivers back onto roads that remain narrowed or under repair following the storm.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation issued detour routes Monday night as the closure continued into Tuesday:
Route 1 northbound detour
Motorists on Route 1 northbound are being directed to take the ramp onto Route 18 northbound. Where Route 18 splits, drivers should stay right following signs for Route 27/Highland Park, then take the exit to Route 27 northbound. From there, drivers are instructed to turn right onto Woodbridge Avenue (County Route 514 eastbound), cross over Route 1, and take the ramp back onto Route 1 northbound.
Route 1 southbound detour
Motorists on Route 1 southbound are being directed to turn right onto Plainfield Avenue (County Route 527 northbound), then turn left onto Route 27 southbound. Drivers should turn left at the traffic signal onto Woodbridge Avenue (County Route 514 eastbound), then turn right onto Player Avenue, which becomes the on-ramp to Route 1 southbound.
Route 18 northbound to Route 1 northbound detour
Drivers traveling on Route 18 northbound and attempting to access Route 1 northbound are being directed to continue on Route 18 northbound, stay right where the roadway splits following signs for Route 27/Highland Park, exit to Route 27 northbound, turn right onto Woodbridge Avenue (County Route 514 eastbound), cross over Route 1, and take the ramp onto Route 1 northbound.
Despite the posted detours, traffic conditions along alternate routes remained heavily congested Tuesday morning, with stop-and-go conditions reported across multiple corridors.
A water main break forced officials to close most lanes of Route 1 in Edison, snarling the first major commute since this weekend’s winter storm. (Source: NJDOT)
A major closure on Route 1 in Edison due to a water main break has created miles-long backups. This screenshot of a traffic camera shows gridlock on Route 1 North at Ryders Lane in East Brunswick. (Source: NJDOT)
Officials have not said whether freezing temperatures contributed to the water main break. Updates on repair progress and lane reopenings are expected as crews continue work.
The ongoing Route 1 disruption coincides with a modified transit schedule across the region as agencies continue to recover from the winter storm.
According to NJ Transit, bus and rail service continued on a modified weekday schedule on Tuesday, with some routes experiencing residual delays and service adjustments. NJ Transit has advised riders to allow extra travel time and to check their trip status before departing.
Officials noted that while service has largely resumed, equipment positioning, weather-related impacts, and congestion on surrounding roadways may continue to affect on-time performance.
This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.