New York Road Project To Create NJ Traffic Nightmares Starting Tonight [VIDEO]

A road project on the Alexander Hamilton Bridge in New York that starts on Saturday night is expected to create traffic nightmares for New Jersey drivers using the George Washington Bridge.

Described as the New York State's  largest single-contract project ever with a price tag of $407million, the work is expected to cause delays of at least 5 miles approaching the GWB with works scheduled for 24 hours a day until the end of 2013.

With lanes taken on GWB's lower deck, multiple lanes of traffic will be reduced to just one on the approach to the Alexander Hamilton Bridge.

New Jersey 101.5 traffic anchor Bob Williams says the potential exists for "unprecedented delays" all day, every day as delays could stretch back to Route 80 and onto the New Jersey Turnpike as well as local roads leading to I-95.

Adam Levine of NYS DOT tells WABC TV,  "We actually have to rip up the middle lanes of the Bronx bound side of the bridge, and then take a look at the steel, see what needs to be repaired, repair or replace it, and put the deck back," Levine added.

The project calls for the deck of the bridge to be completely replaced with a new concrete deck. NYS DOT says the project also involves retrofitting (strengthening) the steel arch span and steel support beams that make up the substructure of the bridge. The steel will also be painted in order to protect it from the weather, and the support piers and foundation will be replaced or repaired.

The project will not affect motorists using the GWB from New York heading to New Jersey.

New Jersey drivers are advised to use the three Staten Island crossing. Motorists from the north are advised to use the Tappan Zee Bridge.

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