What to Know
- A segment of the Newark Bay Extension Bridge dropped several inches when bearings rotated out of place
- An eastbound segment of the key artery will be completely closed for at least 36 hours
- Engineers are inspecting similar bearings to make sure they were not damaged or out of place
Part of the Newark Bay Extension Bridge of the New Jersey Turnpike that was closed for emergency construction after a section of the deck dropped "several inches" has reopened, authorities say.
The eastbound section between Interchanges 14 and 14A were closed until Thursday evening, the NJ Turnpike Authority said. All emergency repairs are "complete," officials said around 8:30 Thursday night.
A day earlier, the NJ Turnpike Authority said a contractor discovered the bearings connecting the bridge deck to the pier had rotated out of place, "causing the eastbound bridge deck to drop several inches."
Crews jacked the deck back into place so they can fix the bearings. Engineers also were inspecting the rest of the bearings below the bridge.
The Newark Bay Extension Bridge connects the main line of the city of Newark to the approach to the Holland Tunnel. It is one of the most heavily traveled arteries in the state.
The roadwork caused significant traffic backups on the turnpike and at the various tunnel approaches, including 60 minute-plus delays in both directions at the Lincoln Tunnel, according to the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, which oversees crossings between the Garden and Empire states.
The George Washington Bridge and Holland Tunnel, the other major crossings between Manhattan and New Jersey, also had heavy apparent delays on Wednesday evening following the closure.
