Shoppers cause traffic jam at Prime Outlet mall in Grove City

GROVE CITY, Pa. — It was truly “midnight madness” with cars lined up for miles on highways waiting to go to Prime Outlets mall.

Shops were due to open at midnight for the Black Friday bargains and traffic tie ups started at about 10 p.m. Thursday, Pennsylvania State Police said.

Cars were lined up for a good 10 miles on Interstate 79 in the northbound lane near the exit to the mall. Southbound drivers were backed up at six miles. And eastbound Interstate 80 drivers were backed up a good four miles before even reaching I-79.

State police put out traffic condition reports throughout the early morning urging motorists to be patient and cautious. They noted in a 4 a.m. report that cars were becoming disabled on the road because of the long wait in traffic.

State police in Butler, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation workers and three car wrecking services were called out to assist.