Falling Ice Shuts Down Inbound GWB, Streets Around Broadway And Columbus Circle

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The freezing rain and hail that fell earlier this week coated buildings and trees with a thick layer of ice.

On Wednesday, it became a bigger issue because it started to melt.

All inbound lanes on the upper level of the George Washington Bridge were closed in the morning after ice fell onto the roadway. Delays lasted more than an hour.

By noon, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said crews were removing ice from cables and reopening lanes.

The NYPD also had to shut down streets around Columbus Circle and Broadway. It said bright sunshine was the culprit, causing the ice to melt slightly and come loose.

"A cop stopped me and asked me to go over here because there was falling ice," resident Alexandra Steigrad told CBS2's Tara Jakeway.

"You would think with the skyscrapers they're putting up, that that would've been taken into consideration," resident Pamela Fernandez added. "I'm sorry to hear that, because that's really dangerous."

"I'm a little surprised, but not surprised. It's unfortunate what happened," another person added. "Hopefully no one got hurt."

One pedestrian was struck by the falling pieces while walking down 58th Street. The man received small cuts to his nose and lips, but refused medical attention.

"I literally just walked past there, so it's very scary," said Ashley Blackburn of Montauk.

In addition, a busy intersection at 48th and Park was also closed for part of the day due to falling ice.

But with Christmas and Chanukah just days away, some were undeterred from their merry missions.

"Just everybody be careful and chill out. It's the holidays," one person said.

"I heard the ice is coming down, that's why they blocked off the area," said Kate Lee. "I'm still going to keep shopping."

In:
• George Washington Bridge
• Manhattan
• Columbus Circle
• Broadway
• New York