NJ breaks ground on Newark Bay Bridge replacement project

NJ breaks ground on Newark Bay Bridge replacement project BAYONNE, N.J. (PIX11) — It's stood since the Eisenhower administration and was built before Sputnik orbited the Earth. Even residents have wondered how old this bridge is.

"I often think, you know, I've been going over this bridge for 50 years," said Anthony from Bayonne. "How old? When are they going to put a new one in? I actually thought that several times traveling it."

Well, Anthony finally gets an answer – a new Newark Bay Bridge is coming.

"Today we break ground on the largest single infrastructure project in the Turnpike's history," said Gov. Mikie Sherrill.

Gov. Sherrill, New Jersey Turnpike Authority executive director Kris Kolluri and others marked the groundbreaking of the nearly $7 billion project to replace the Newark Bay Bridge, which Sherrill says more than 65,000 vehicles on the Turnpike cross every day.

"All that traffic brings wear and tear," said Sherrill. "After 70 years of service, the bridge is in dire need of replacement."

The state says it can't afford to wait any longer.

"It worked well for 70 years," said Kolluri, "but as you can see, in 70 years it's become structurally deficient and functionally obsolete."

Back in its time, the steel arch design was the gold standard. The new bridge will be cable-stayed, which officials say is the new gold standard. While it'll have the same number of lanes, there will be improvements, including full shoulders, which can help in situations like accidents.

"The new bridge is not only going to have those shoulders, which will be a better safety feature, but it will also impact better commuting," said Sherrill.

At one point, the new bridge was proposed to have double the number of lanes – which was met with heavy opposition from local towns fearing increased traffic and pollution. Officials say the new bridge will still make commuting safer.

The bridge is expected to be open between 2031 and 2032.

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NJ breaks ground on Newark Bay Bridge replacement project

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