(Trenton) -New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced the full closure of the Pulaski Skyway in both directions this Saturday, December 1 for steel repairs as the rehabilitation of the historic 86-year-old bridge advances.
NJDOT Officials say to avoid delays, they encourage southbound motorists to use the NJ Turnpike-Hudson County Extension to all destinations west and south, including I-78, or to I-280/Route 7 and Route 1&9 Truck southbound.
Northbound motorists will be directed to Route 1&9 Truck officials say.
In a statement, officials said "From 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, December 1, NJDOT’s contractor, CCA Civil Inc., is scheduled to close the Pulaski Skyway in both directions for overhead steel repairs and installation of concrete overlay. Heavy congestion and delays are expected in Tonnele Circle. The work is being coordinated with the Pulaski Skyway Contract 2 project that is rehabilitating Route 139 upper and lower levels".
**Northbound Closure and Detour:**
The northbound closure will begin past Newark Liberty International Airport with the Route 1&9 Express Lanes being closed and all traffic directed onto the Local Lanes. Traffic will follow Route 1&9 Truck northbound to the intersection of Route 7 and Route 1&9 Truck in Jersey City.
Northbound motorists heading to Hoboken, Jersey City or New York City also may use the New Jersey Turnpike-Hudson County Extension.
**Southbound Closure and Detour:**
The southbound closure will begin south of the Tonnele Circle, with the ramp from the Tonnele Circle to the Skyway closed. Traffic coming from Route 139 will be directed to the off-ramp to I-280/Route 7 and Route 1&9 southbound.
Traffic on Route 1&9 south heading toward Tonnele Circle is encouraged to stay right and use the ramp to Route 1&9 Truck.
**Southbound Detour (toward Newark):**
Leaving the Holland Tunnel, motorists will have the following options:
Stay to the far right and take the NJ Turnpike-Hudson County Extension to all destinations west and south, including I-78 – This is the recommended option.
Stay to the left and follow signs for Route 139 West, then stay left to Route 1&9 Truck southbound towards Newark, Route 7 and I-280.
**Local Traffic for Jersey City:**
Stay to the middle to take Route 139 Upper Roadway and follow signs to Kennedy Boulevard/Jersey City, to best access many local Jersey City locations and other points north (Secaucus).
The work is part of the $1 billion Pulaski Skyway rehabilitation project, which is being advanced through 10 separate construction contracts. The massive improvement project will extend the life of the Skyway by 75 years.
NJDOT created a project-specific website - www.pulaskiskyway.com - which contains a wealth of information about the Skyway and the project and will be updated with relevant new information as work progresses.
The Department is carefully coordinating the Pulaski Skyway project with other regional transportation infrastructure projects to minimize traffic congestion.
The Department has a project hotline telephone number, 973-776-7400, and email, Pulaski.Skyway@dot.nj.gov. Anyone who has questions, concerns, or suggestions is encouraged to contact the Project Outreach Team as work progresses.