NJ Transit engineers are preparing to walk off the job on Friday, which could affect 350,000 commuters in New Jersey and New York City.

NJ Transit and an engineers’ union appear to be heading toward a major rail strike that would start Friday — the first one in decades. Currently, both sides are in Washington, D.C. participating in mediation,

An NJ Transit strike could trigger other transit changes around the region, including worsening traffic due to displaced NJ Transit passengers driving to work. Newark Light Rail will operate extended peak hour service if a strike happens, NJ Transit said. NJ Transit will also add bus service on regular routes.