Bayonne Bridge Frequently Asked Questions

Will the Bridge be complete in time for a wider Panama Canal in 2014?
How much is this going to cost?
Does the Port Authority have the appropriate funding to cover the design and construction in its current capital program?
Is Federal funding required to complete the Bayonne Bridge?
Will the Maritime Industry be expected to pay for all or some of the work?
Will the new Cargo Facility Charge (CFC) fund this project?
What will the bridge look like when this is all over?
Will it be necessary for the Port Authority to acquire any property for the project?
What are the impacts to my community?
Will there be delays or closures during construction?
Will there be transit on the bridge?
How can I stay informed on the progress of this project?
How does the Bayonne Bridge Navigational Clearance Program affect the Goethals Bridge Modernization Program?

Will the Bridge be complete in time for a wider Panama Canal in 2014?: The Port Authority is committed to addressing this issue as expeditiously as possible. Careful planning and innovative procurement, design and construction approaches will help to expedite the planning stages of this effort. However, an environmental review process, required by federal law, and detailed engineering work is needed to ensure the best choices are made for all interested parties. The Port Authority is working closely with industry partners to ensure that we can meet the needs of a growing and vibrant shipping community.
How much is this going to cost?: Current preliminary cost estimates place the project cost for Raise the Roadway options (depending upon selected bridge design and specific roadway design criteria), at approximately $1 Billion. This estimated total project cost includes planning, construction, and contingency, but does not include additional engineering to refine ramp, roadway, future transit improvements, and evaluate construction-staging options. Project costs will be further refined as we advance our engineering and design activities over the coming year.
Does the Port Authority have the appropriate funding to cover the design and construction in its current capital program?: The Port Authority remains committed to the completion of the Bayonne Bridge project. In October 2010, the Board of Commissioners agreed to provide up to $1 billion in its capital planning process to help finance a Bayonne Bridge solution.
Is Federal funding required to complete the Bayonne Bridge?: The Bayonne Bridge program will continue to review all potential funding sources to expeditiously complete this project in a timely manner. Port Authority, Federal, and private sector funding will continue to be investigated and evaluated, as we refine our cost estimates and move forward.
Will the Maritime Industry be expected to pay for all or some of the work?: Port Authority, Federal, and private sector funding will continue to be investigated and evaluated. We will not be looking to our Port customers for funding.
Will the new Cargo Facility Charge (CFC) fund this project?: The new CFC is intended to finance landside transportation access (road and rail) and post 9/11 incremental security costs.
What will the bridge look like when this is all over?: The Raise the Roadway solution leaves the iconic Bayonne Bridge arch in place while raising the roadway to meet the navigational clearance needs. As part of this effort, we will be upgrading the roadway to be more consistent with modern design standards, improving safety and security, considering innovative traffic management techniques to balance vehicular demand and more efficiently manage congestion, and plan for a more sustainable, transit oriented transportation network in the future.
Will it be necessary for the Port Authority to acquire any property for the project?: As the Raise the Roadway solution is a bridge modification and rehabilitation solution, the majority of the new roadway can be constructed within the footprint of the existing structure. We are still evaluating potential adjustments to the areas around the approach ramps in both NY and NJ. Additionally, temporary use of land for construction access may be necessary.
What are the impacts to my community?: Our traffic modeling and environmental alternatives screening efforts found that the Raise the Roadway solution will result in the least disruptive community impacts for the range of alternatives evaluated. However, as we move forward and develop more detailed information, we will also identify mitigation plans for any potential community or neighborhood impacts, both short and long term, and will include updates on our Port Authority Web site.
Will there be delays or closures during construction?: To date, we have focused our efforts on narrowing down the potential project alternatives. We have an alternative that maintains traffic between Staten Island and Bayonne throughout the construction period. However, we are investigating the costs and benefits associated with alternate construction staging options and all opportunities that may expedite this program in a cost-effective manner.
Will there be transit on the bridge?: In preparing for a more sustainable regional transportation network, the Port Authority’s designs for this program will not preclude transit in the future.
How can I stay informed on the progress of this project?: As we move forward with our environmental review process, the Port Authority will be reaching out to the communities in Staten Island and Bayonne and to our public and private partners, and updates will be available on our Port Authority Web site.
How does the Bayonne Bridge Navigational Clearance Program affect the Goethals Bridge Modernization Program?: The schedule for the new Goethals Bridge assumes construction of a new bridge south of the existing bridge. The existing Goethals Bridge will remain open in both directions, throughout the construction period. Following completion of the new Goethals Bridge, the traffic will crossover to the new span. Therefore, we do not anticipate that construction on the Bayonne Bridge will impact progress on the Goethals Bridge program, and project schedules will continue to be closely coordinated and updated.

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