Map for Goethals Bridge Traffic Diversion Released

Map for Goethals Bridge Traffic Diversion Released

During Columbus Day weekend, the Goethals Bridge will be closed overnight on Friday, October 7 into the following morning, with travel diverted the remainder of the three-day weekend on connecting roads on Staten Island, N.Y. 

The lane closures and diversions, part of the Port Authority’s ongoing Goethals Bridge Replacement Project, will allow the demolition and replacement of the Travis Spur Rail Bridge that carries Conrail trains over Interstate 278 in Staten Island, immediately west of the Goethals Bridge toll plaza. The replacement project will allow expansion of the roadway approaching the Goethals Bridge from four lanes (two eastbound and two westbound) to six lanes, three in each direction.

Travel delays are expected throughout the three-day weekend, especially during peak travel times. The Bayonne Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing will remain fully open through Columbus Day weekend as alternate routes.

Construction work during Columbus Day weekend will require the following lane closures and diversions:

  • The Goethals Bridge will be fully closed from 10 p.m. Friday, October 7 through 8 a.m. Saturday, October 8.
  • At 8 a.m. Saturday, October 8, the bridge will reopen, with traffic diverted on I-278 and Gulf Road in Staten Island, before reaching or after leaving the bridge.  These diversions will be in place until 3 p.m. Monday, October 10 when normal traffic will resume. Gulf Avenue will be closed.  Traffic exiting the Port will be detoured to Western Avenue and Richmond Terrace. Detour signs will be in place. These changes are expected to result in traffic delays.

To avoid expected delays, drivers are encouraged to avoid the Goethals Bridge throughout the weekend, and consider using the Bayonne Bridge or Outerbridge Crossing as alternatives.

In addition, over dimensional cargo will not be permitted to transit the Goethals Bridge from 2 p.m. Friday, October 7 through 10 p.m. Tuesday, October 11.

Following this work, the Port Authority will implement nightly lane closures on I-278 between the toll plaza and the Goethals Bridge in order to repave and expand the lanes approaching the Goethals Bridge.

To receive real time traffic updates, drivers should register for the Port Authority’s Bridge and Tunnel Alerts at http://www.paalerts.com/, call 511 or visit www.511NY.org or www.511NJ.org.