The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) said the full closure of the Pulaski Skyway in both directions this weekend for rocker bent work as the rehabilitation of the 91-year-old bridge advances in Jersey City. This is the second of two consecutive weekend closures. The DOT will take advantage of this closure to allow for other maintenance and bi-annual inspections to occur within the closed work zone to mitigate the need for future lane closures.
Beginning at 9 p.m., Friday, May 5 until 6 a.m. Sunday, May 7, NJDOT’s contractor is scheduled to close and detour the Skyway in both directions. The closure is necessary to allow the contractor to jack the Skyway at span 49 between the Broadway Avenue ramp and the truss bridge over the railroad tracks for rocker bent work in Jersey City. If work is completed early, the Skyway will reopen sooner.
To avoid delays, NJDOT is encouraging motorists to use the NJ Turnpike-Hudson County Extension to all destinations, including the Holland Tunnel, I-78, or to I-280/Route 7 and Routes 1&9 Truck southbound. All other motorists will be directed to Routes 1&9 Truck in both directions.
Northbound closure and detour
The northbound closure will begin past Newark Liberty International Airport with the Routes 1&9 Express Lanes directed onto the Local Lanes. Traffic will follow Route 1&9 Truck northbound to the intersection of Route 7, Route 139, and Route 1&9 in Jersey City.
Northbound motorists heading to Hoboken, Jersey City or New York City also may use the New Jersey Turnpike-Hudson County Extension (I-78 eastbound).
Southbound closure and detour
The southbound closure on Route 139 lower roadway will begin over the Tonnele Circle. All traffic coming from Route 139 will be directed to the off ramp to I-280/Route 7 and Route 1&9 Truck southbound.
In addition, the ramp from the Tonnele Circle on to Pulaski Skyway southbound will also be closed. Traffic on Route 1&9 southbound heading toward Tonnele Circle is encouraged to stay right and use the prior ramp to Routes 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 Routes 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).
Kearny ramp detour
- Motorists looking to take the Pulaski Skyway northbound from the Kearny ramp will be directed to take Adams Street
- Turn left onto 2nd Street
- Turn right onto Central Avenue
- Cross over Routes 1&9 Truck
- Take the ramp onto Routes 1&9 Truck northbound
- Follow Routes 1&9 Truck northbound to the intersection of Route 7, Route 139, and Routes 1&9 in Jersey City.
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, a place where he has served on and off since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on Facebook Live, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to West Hudson to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.