Traffic came to a standstill Thursday morning after a disabled tractor-trailer blocked lanes on Route 59 westbound near High Street and the Palisades Center Mall, prompting a road closure and major delays in the area.

The Clarkstown Police Department responded to the scene and temporarily shut down the roadway while officers directed traffic and worked to manage congestion.

Authorities said a heavy-duty tow truck was needed to remove the disabled tractor-trailer from the roadway. Drivers traveling through the area were urged to avoid Route 59 westbound near the mall and seek alternate routes as cleanup operations continued.