Closures Lurk For New Jersey, New York Crossings

Commuters planning to drive from New Jersey to New York City over the next weekend or two may want to buckle up for a frustrating ride.

On Friday, Aug. 24, the Port Authority of NY/NJ issued an advisory to local drivers, warning them of coming lane closures at the Bayonne Bridge, Holland Tunnel, George Washington Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing.

Those closures will coincide with a much-maligned, years-long repair effort underway at Rt. 495 near the Lincoln Tunnel, which is expected to hinder local traffic for years, officials said. (Learn more about this project here)

Details of each planned closure follow below, via the Port Authority.

LINCOLN TUNNEL

The rehabilitation by the New Jersey Department of Transportation of Route 495 - the main highway link to the Lincoln Tunnel – is underway and is scheduled to run the next 2+ years.

The Port Authority advises drivers or bus passengers to factor substantial delays and traffic congestion into their planning, and to consider alternate routes into and out of New York City, including the George Washington Bridge and Holland Tunnel. The agency also is actively monitoring traffic conditions and travel times, and is taking additional measures to aid commuters and mitigate travel impacts, which are expected to be severe:

• Extending the hours of the Lincoln Tunnel Exclusive Bus Lane (XBL), which normally operates from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., as demand warrants during weekday mornings.
• Providing additional PATH service as needed by extending weekday peak period service to accommodate commuters who divert to mass transit.
• Staging additional emergency equipment to expedite response to disabled vehicles and accidents.
• Deploying additional customer service representatives in the PABT and at PATH stations to assist commuters.
• Adding staff at the Agency Operations Center to increase traffic monitoring capacity.
• Providing bus carriers with real-time travel and traffic reports to aid them in scheduling, which will help buses to arrive/depart the PABT on time and reduce idling on local streets.
• Increasing real-time communications with customers via social media, e-alerts and other channels.

BAYONNE BRIDGE

The bridge will be closing Friday, August 24 at 11:59 p.m. and will reopen on Saturday, August 25 at 8 a.m. to accommodate ongoing construction work.

Next week, the bridge will be closing on Monday, August 27 through Thursday, August 30, from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. the following morning for construction work.

HOLLAND TUNNEL

One westbound lane in the tunnel will be closed for ongoing repairs during overnight hours from Sunday, August 26, through Thursday, August 30, from 11:59 p.m. each night through 5:30 a.m. the following morning.

One eastbound lane in the tunnel will be closed for ongoing repairs during overnight hours from Sunday, August 26, through Thursday, August 30, from 11 p.m. each night through 5 a.m. the following morning.

The right lane, shoulder and sidewalk on 14th Street in Jersey City, the section leading from the tunnel exit, will be closed Monday, August 27 through Thursday, August 30 for sanitary sewer and storm drain connections.

Two left lanes on 12th Street heading towards the toll plaza will be closed Monday, August 27 from 9:30 a.m. through 2:30 p.m. for roadway repair.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE

The ramp connecting the eastbound upper level of the George Washington Bridge to West 178th Street in Manhattan is closed for up to 12 months for deck replacement. Passenger cars seeking access from the bridge to local streets in Manhattan should take Exit 1 towards Route 9/Henry Hudson Parkway and follow detour signs to West 181st Street in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan. Trucks over 13 feet, 6 inches in height will not be permitted to use the bridge during the duration of the project. Trucks under that height seeking access to local streets should take Exit 2 to Amsterdam Avenue.

One westbound lane on the upper level will be closed starting Sunday, August 26 at 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. Monday, August 27 for construction.

OUTERBRIDGE CROSSING

The westbound right lane will be closed Tuesday, August 28 and Wednesday, August 29, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following mornings for the restoration of roadway lights.

The eastbound right lane will be closed overnight Thursday, August 30, starting at 10:30 p.m. and running to 5 a.m. the next morning.

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File Photo: Eric Kiefer