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Goethals Bridge Reconstruction Update: Prepare for Early Morning Closure and New Ramp on Sunday, May 3

 

Union County NJ goethels bridge new traffic patternA major, multi-agency emergency response exercise and a new temporary approach ramp will affect travelers heading east from Union County to the Goethals Bridge starting this Sunday, May 3.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has passed along the following information:

1. Emergency Response Exercise (bridge will be fully closed for 8 hours):

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.

2. New Temporary Approach Ramp (not expected to cause delays or affect traffic):

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.

More details about the emergency drill and the new ramp are available at ucnj.org/goethals-bridge-project, or visit the Port Authority online at panynj.info.

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