The iconic mural of David Bowie by renowned artist Kobra peeks out at Holland Tunnel bound traffic in Jersey City, while another figure also peers out by an unknown artist

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Holland Tunnel Due to Lane Closures on Route 139

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has issued the following press release:

Motorists strongly urged to use mass transit and consider alternate routes; PATH rail to add extra trains during peak hours on all lines

Drivers who typically commute through the Holland Tunnel are urged to use mass transit –particularly during the morning and evening rush hours — due to fire damage to the nearby Route 139 ramp in Jersey City that is maintained by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

The extensive structural damage to the ramp has resulted in closures to three of five lanes nearly back to the tunnel, with the 60-percent capacity reduction expected to cause significant delays for westbound traffic in Jersey City and Hoboken. Lower Manhattan also can expect backups on local streets accessing the tunnel entrance to New Jersey, particularly if one of the tunnelâ€s two westbound lanes must be closed if gridlock occurs on the New Jersey side.

Drivers should use mass transit, consider alternate work hours or telecommute if possible since other crossing like the Lincoln Tunnel may face delays due to the diverted traffic.

The Port Authority and NJ DOT have activated their Offices of Emergency Management to continuously monitor the situation and streamline communications with other state and local officials. Agency officials are working on traffic management plans to lessen potential congestion impacts and will coordinate implementation with counterparts at NJ DOT, NJ Transit, New Jersey State Police, Jersey City, Hoboken and Manhattan, New York City officials, as well as New York Waterways ferry service.

PATH rail is poised to add two extra trains hourly during the morning and evening rush hours on each of its three lines: Newark to World Trade Center, Hoboken to World Trade Center and Journal Square to 33rd Street starting Monday morning.

Travelers to Newark Liberty International Airport are encouraged to use NJ Transit rail service from New York Penn Station to access the Newark AirTrain to the airportâ€s terminals.

Along with urging drivers to use mass transit options and seeking ways to increase rail, bus and ferry capacity, the Port Authority is taking other significant steps to help its state and local partners alleviate the anticipated problems. Ongoing construction work on the Bayonne Bridge, for example, has been suspended to help ease regional traffic.

“The Port Authority is urging travelers to use mass transit and consider alternate work hours and telecommuting to help minimize the anticipated gridlock at the Holland Tunnel until repairs are made to New Jerseyâ€s nearby Route 139 ramp,â€â€ said Diannae Ehler, the Port Authorityâ€s Director of Tunnels, Bridges & Terminals. “The agency will assist our transportation partners to help minimize congestion around the tunnel, and we have offered engineering help if needed to evaluate and speed repairs on the stateâ€s ramp.”

Agency, state and local officials are conferring on opening a third lane before the Monday morning rush along the Holland Tunnelâ€s westbound exit lanes if feasible, while also adding additional police officers, closing certain side roads and adjusting traffic light patterns to help move traffic more efficiently.

On average, more than 2,600 vehicles per rush hour and 46,000 vehicles daily travel from Manhattan to New Jersey via the Holland Tunnel.

Port Authority Police are currently staffing intersections to optimize and balance traffic flow on both westbound 14th street and the local north/south roadways. This presence will be maintained through the weekend, with needs reassessed for the start of Mondayâ€s weekday travel patterns.

The Port Authorityâ€s Engineering Department has offered the support of staff and its resources to assess the extent of ramp damage and assist with implementation of a repair strategy.

For the most up-to-date traffic and transit information, please see use the following links:

www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/holland-tunnel

www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/lincoln-tunnel

www.panynj.gov/PATH

www.panynj.gov/bus-terminals/port-authority-bus-terminal

http://nj.gov/transportation/

www.njtransit.com 

NY Waterway has morning and evening rush-hour service between Port Liberty and Liberty Harbor in Jersey City and Manhattan. Both terminals are accessible from the New Jersey Turnpike and have parking.

Ferry terminals at Paulus Hook and Harborside in Jersey City and the Hoboken Rail/Ferry Terminal all are served but the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail.

Visit nywaterway.com for complete information or call 1-800-53-FERRY.

For full details, view this message on the web.

Sent by City of Hoboken, NJ 94 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

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The post Port Authority warns of Severe Congestion Issues Gridlock Alert first appeared on River View Observer.

 JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop today denounced planned toll increases set to take effect December 1st by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, an agency that continues to enjoy strong profits while New Jerseyans struggle to recover from the recession.

“By moving forward with toll and fare hikes, the Port Authority continues to punish New Jerseyans – and especially Jersey City residents – at a time of continued economic hardship,” said Mayor Fulop.   “The Port Authority dumps a heavy burden on Jersey City taxpayers in three ways — from the costs of municipal services provided to the Port Authority, from the increasing tolls and PATH fares, and from a staggering underpayment by the Port Authority to the City for its property here.”

According to just released data from the New York Federal Reserve Bank, North Jersey is lagging behind the rest of the metropolitan area in recovering from the recession.  Last year, the $4 billion Port Authority had a 31 percent profit margin, not including depreciation, amortization, taxes, interest and capital expenditures.

“The Port Authority is financially strong and could choose to delay this increase,” added Mayor Fulop.

On Dec. 1, 2013, tolls on cars using E-ZPass will increase 75 cents, following increases in 2011 and in 2012.  The Port Authority will continue to increase the tolls by 75 cents for each of the next two years on cars using E-ZPass. Tolls on cars paying with cash will increase $1 in 2014 and 2015.  Fares will also increase for car pool and green pass motorists.

For PATH riders, a single PATH ride will cost $1.00 more – from $1.75 to $2.75 – by October 2014, with 25 cent annual fare increases that began in 2011 and continue through next year.

Earlier this month, Mayor Fulop announced that the city will file suit against the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for $400 million for missed tax payments and undue economic harm caused to the taxpayers of Jersey City by the bi-state transportation agency.

Currently, for all Jersey City properties owned by the Port Authority – excluding the Holland Tunnel which is tax exempt – the agency pays the City $2.2 million annually.  Those same properties are assessed at a rate that would result in $18.2 million in property taxes annually to the City.

“The Port Authority continues to create hardship for the people of Jersey City and it is time they pay their fare share,” said Mayor Fulop.  “Thatâ€s why we are suing for back taxes and interest totaling approximately $400 million and going forward we will also set the rate at a more realistic payment to benefit Jersey City taxpayers.  The Port Authority isnâ€t struggling, though its host cities bear a tremendous burden. Itâ€s time make the Port Authority respect the commuters whose money they grab every day.”

All media inquiries should be directed to Jennifer Morrill, Press Secretary to Mayor Steven M. Fulop at 201-547-4836 or 201-376-0699.////

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