The news that the Holland Tunnel to New Jersey is closing overnights for six days a week starting on Feb. 5 to permanently fix damage from Hurricane Sandy caught many people by surprise.
Though the area just marked the 10th anniversary of the devastating storm, some damage at the Holland Tunnel only got short-term temporary repairs. Permanent repairs are part of a $364 million project to repair and replace systems and infrastructure damaged by the 30 million gallons of water driven by Sandy.
The water was a nasty mix of salty seawater and untreated sewage that corrodes infrastructure, officials said. Work on the New Jersey-bound tunnel will continue through 2025, officials said. About 84% of the work is federally funded.
Here’s how to get home to Jersey during the closures:
When is it closed?
The schedule announced by the Port Authority closes the New Jersey bound tunnels from 11 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sundays to Thursdays, and from 11:59 p.m. to 9 a.m. Friday nights into Saturday mornings. The tunnel will remain open on Saturday nights.
What are the driving options to New Jersey?
The obvious choices from Manhattan to New Jersey are the Lincoln Tunnel and George Washington Bridge. Remember that maintenance and repair work also happens overnights on the Lincoln Tunnel and the George Washington Bridge.
Information about the times it takes to cross each of the authority’s bridges and tunnels and the speed of traffic is now only available on the Port Authority website. Click the red banner on the bridge and tunnel homepage for real time alerts. You can also sign up for text alerts. The authority stopped updating the Crossing Time app after the pandemic reduced traffic, a Port Authority spokeswoman said.
Port Authority officials also suggested those driving to Central and South Jersey use the Staten Island crossings. Don’t forget that means paying an MTA bridge toll on its most expensive span — the Verrazano Narrows bridge to Staten Island. Leaving Manhattan via the Queens-Midtown Tunnel or Brooklyn Battery Tunnel also requires paying tolls.
What are the mass transit options?
If you want to avoid driving, your choices are NJ Transit trains and buses or PATH. NJ Transit doesn’t run 24/7, but the PATH does. Prepare ahead of time by checking schedules for when the last train or bus runs to New Jersey.
How late does NJ Transit run?
Check the NJ Transit schedule because weekday and weekend schedules are different and the last train rolls out earlier on weekends. The last Northeast Corridor train on weekends leaves Penn Station New York at 1:22 a.m. If you miss that train, it’s a long wait for the next train at 5:10 a.m.
The last Morris & Essex line train leaves New York at 1:19 a.m. on weekends, and the last North Jersey Coast Line and Raritan Valley line trains departs New York Penn at 1 a.m. If leaving from Hoboken, factor in time for the connecting PATH ride to the terminal. Watch the NJ Transit app for alerts.
What are the late night bus options?
Most NJ Transit buses use the Port Authority bus terminal, except for those departing from the George Washington Bridge bus terminal. The last departure of the night varies by bus route. Pay close attention to the schedule and where the bus leaves from the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Departure gate locations change after 10 p.m. and after 1 a.m.
Another tip: Waiting on line doesn’t guarantee you’ll get on a bus. This especially applies to the last bus of the night. Once it’s full, that’s the end until the first bus shows up in the morning. If the line for the last bus on a route is snaking through the bus terminal, consider an alternate way to get to New Jersey instead of wasting time waiting.
Consider using the NJ Transit app and the Port Authority’s My Terminal app in tandem. NJ Transit’s app gives bus departure times, My Terminal tells you where the bus is leaving from after you type in the route number.
A bonus, My Terminal gives the entire day’s schedule for each route if you tap “load more.” However, it doesn’t cover the George Washington Bridge bus terminal.
Pay attention to announcements and what NJ Transit and Port Authority staff say because they have the final word on scheduled departures.
What are the PATH options?
The PATH runs all night, like the NYC subway system, but overnight service into the early morning period is less frequent. Maintenance and repairs often happen overnight. Service after midnight runs roughly every 40 minutes on two lines, Newark World Trade Center and the 33rd Street-Journal Square line that runs via Hoboken.
Your best defense against spending 40 minutes on the platform waiting for a train is to use the official Ride PATH app. It has a trip planner function and a faster “tap by station” option that gives departure times.
Are there any hacks for suburban drivers with limited mass transit options?
This suggestion, for my suburban friends who have no transit options, involves driving to the Journal Square PATH station and using the parking deck above the station. It’s a two-level parking deck and provides access to and from the city by PATH and a few buses to New York City, including the 125 and 119.
Drivers can ride the PATH train for the return trip to Journal Square. Once you get back to your car, there is close access to the Pulaski Skyway via the Tonnelle Avenue- Route 1&9 traffic circle. Drivers can also take Routes 1&9 north to Route 3 and Routes 1&9 south will get you to I-78 and the Turnpike.
Any other suggestions if you are using mass transit?
The My MTA app provides service changes and delays for New York City subway lines. You also can save favorite trips and it has a live subway map feature. Also, consider signing up for the MTA “weekender” newsletter, which is emailed on Fridays and lists weekend subway service changes.
What about cabs, Uber and Lyft?
If you are in New York City and need to get back to New Jersey while the Holland Tunnel is closed, a taxi driver may pass on taking you home due to the long return trip. You could try and negotiate a price off the meter that factors in tolls. Uber and Lyft are also options, but expect surge pricing and there may be as many available drivers. Both cabs and ride sharing options cost much more than mass transit.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com.
Ad Choices