Black Friday crowds are flooding Orange County this morning, and traffic near the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets has been heavily impacted, with long delays reported across several major roadways.
State Police tell News 12 that traffic volumes around the outlets are very heavy, with backups on the New York State Thruway and surrounding local roads as thousands of shoppers arrive early for holiday sales. According to troopers, the Route 17 westbound Exit 131 ramp and the Route 6 westbound exit to Route 32 were temporarily closed after the outlet complex reached capacity. Detours are in place, and drivers are being warned to expect delays throughout the day.
Woodbury Police say roughly 13,000 shoppers typically visit the outlet center on Black Friday, creating large surges of traffic in a short period.
News 12 crews observed traffic piling up from the Thruway to Route 17, with cars backed up along Route 32 and some shoppers walking along the roadway to reach the outlets.
Both State Police and Woodbury Police are actively managing traffic in and around the outlet center. Troopers are handling the Thruway and major approach roads, while Woodbury officers are directing vehicles immediately outside the complex to help keep cars moving. In recent years, Woodbury Police have also advised local motorists to use alternate routes on Black Friday to avoid outlet-related congestion.