A man drove through a closed construction zone along the approach to the Bayonne Bridge on Staten Island early Sunday morning and was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, police said.
Francois Ratzel, 38, of Jersey City, entered the Route 440 northbound approach at the bridge shortly before 2 a.m., said Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police spokesman Joe Pentangelo. The bridge was closed from 9 p.m. Saturday until 9 a.m. Sunday because of a construction project.
Port Authority police blocked Ratzel's path with a marked police vehicle. An officer later interviewed Ratzel and arrested him on DWI charges.
Ratzel was not available for comment.
The Port Authority said earlier this month the bridge-raising project would not be completed until 2017 because of construction delays.
