Fire near Holland tunnel expected to hamper Monday commute

JERSEY CITY— Problems that slowed drivers in both directions of the Holland Tunnel over the weekend will get worse on Monday.

A warehouse fire Friday night spread to an area under the Route 139 ramp carrying traffic out of the tunnel in Jersey City to Route 78, Routes 1&9, the Pulaski Skyway and the New Jersey Turnpike. The heat of the fire caused six 40 foot longitudinal beams to become warped, and damage to the deck's steel and concrete, forcing the closure of three of the five lanes.

"All in all from the surface we may need to repair in excess of 1,215 square feet of this structure," a Port Authority spokesman said.

At a press conference on Sunday the Port Authority said it opened up its emergency command center and will by working with PATH, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, and NJ Transit to alleviate potential gridlock.

PATH will add service on three lines: Newark to World Trade Center, Journal Square to 33rd Street, and Hoboken to the WTC during the morning and afternoon commutes.

Additional capacity will be added to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail between the West Side Ave Park and Ride and Hoboken. Buses will also be added to the Route 9 corridor as well. Riders should also expect delays on NJ Transit bus routes 120 & 64J.

The Port Authority said additional lanes could be opened by Monday afternoon. Damage is still being assessed and could take weeks or months to fully repair.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com