Goethals Bridge Project

construction

The following information is provided by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Emergency Response Exercise Will Close Bridge in Both Directions Sunday, May 3

A full-scale emergency drill at the Goethals Bridge on Sunday, May 3, 2015 will require the closure of the Bridge (both directions) from 1:00am until 9:00 am.  The exercise will kick-off at 4:00 am and end approximately three hours later.  The Bridge will reopen for drivers at 9:00 am.

During the exercise and closure, motorists will be advised to use the Outerbridge Crossing or Bayonne Bridge.

The exercise is a tanker carrying gasoline traveling eastbound (NY Bound) crashes and explodes mid-span of the Goethals Bridge.   This accident causes multiple vehicle accidents with a complete blockage, in both directions for first responders.  There is scattered debris field across all lanes.  Fire from the tanker explosion is impinging on the bridge structure; the bridge truss structure remains intact.  The drill will impact bridge operations and the public may notice simulated smoke and numerous responding emergency vehicles. 

This event will exercise the bridge’s emergency plan for mutual aid response, enabling bridge personnel and local municipal emergency responders to train together and validate response procedures.

Participating parties involved in the exercise:

  • PA Police, PA Staten Island Bridge Operations & Maintenance, PA Risk Management, PA Government Community Relations, PA OEM
  • USCG, FDNY, NYPD, NYCOEM, NYCDOT, Elizabeth Police, Elizabeth Fire, Elizabeth EMS, Linden Police, Linden Fire, Union County Police, Union County OEM, Union County Marine Unit, Union County Hazmat, NJ State Police, NJDOT, NJ Turnpike, TRANSCOM.

Please visit panynj.info/alerts-advisories/advisories for the latest information. 

To sign up for Bridge and Tunnel Alerts visit http://btt.paalerts.com/

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we carry out this important drill.

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New Temporary Approach Ramp Starting Sunday, May 3

Beginning May 3, Goethals Bridge motorists traveling eastbound to Staten Island will be re-routed to a new temporary approach ramp as construction continues on the Goethals Bridge Replacement Project.

Motorists exiting the New Jersey Turnpike at Interchange 13 and motorists travelling on I-278 will be diverted on to this temporary ramp leading to the Staten-Island bound Goethals Bridge. Local traffic using the ramp at Cole Place, in Elizabeth, N.J., will be detoured westbound to I-278 and then follow a newly constructed U-turn connecting to I-278 eastbound and the new approach ramp.

Motorists are not expected to experience delays or any significant traffic impacts as a result of the new approach ramp. The temporary ramp and new traffic pattern for access to the New York-bound Goethals Bridge will permit significant construction to proceed on the Goethals Bridge Replacement Project. It will remain in place for approximately two years.

Detour map:

goethels bridge new traffic pattern

To receive real time traffic updates, travelers should register for Bridge and Tunnel Alerts at paalerts.com/, call 511 or visit 511NY.org or 511NJ.org.

 

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