I read this earlier and was skeptical. I was in Niagara Falls ONT when the storm hit and ended up crossing back into the US via the Lewiston bridge around noon. I then took a county road back to Rochester before I could get on a main highway. I drive fast and stopped only for gas and quick breaks. I arrived at the Hertz counter in EWR at 9:15.
Now the Hertz story is for another thread
The thruway was closed in both directions all morning and afternoon on Friday. I'm going to call BS too.