Port Authority To Explore Widening The Outerbridge Crossing

PERTH AMBOY, NJ — The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced Thursday it will launch a study to explore widening the Outerbridge Crossing.

The Outerbridge may either be rehabilitated or entirely replaced, according to Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ6).

The Outerbridge Crossing is a major bridge that connects Perth Amboy to Staten Island. It is a four-lane bridge — two lanes in each direction — and one the Port Authority says actually classifies as too narrow by today's bridge standards.

The Outerbridge Crossing opened for service in 1928. The bridge’s main deck is 62 feet wide and carries two 10-foot-wide lanes in each direction over the Arthur Kill.

Today’s lane standard is 12-feet-wide.

The Port Authority's announcement comes at the same time President Joe Biden announced a five-year, $27.3 billion plan to repair or replace about 15,000 bridges across the United States, funded by his $1.2 trillion Build Back Better infrastructure plan.

The Outerbridge is located in Congressman Pallone's district; he applauded the decision.

“I’m pleased to hear the Port Authority is moving forward with this study. This nearly 100-year-old bridge is often a major bottleneck for the 30 million vehicles traveling over it annually between Central New Jersey and Staten Island," said Pallone. "Outerbridge Crossing is an important regional link for commuters and tourists alike, and I support the expansion or potential replacement of this bridge that is so vital to our state’s economy.”

This week, the Port Authority said it will relaunch a study to examine how to widen the bridge. This will be the relaunch of a study the Port Authority started in 2019, but then put on pause when the pandemic hit.

The Port Authority said in this statement it is looking at "comprehensive rehabilitation options" for the bridge.

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