Roadway Of Bayonne Bridge Reopens To Drivers Monday
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The roadway of the Bayonne Bridge is set to re-open to drivers on Monday -- just in time for the morning rush.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says the bridge connecting Bayonne, NJ to Staten Island will completely open after years of work to raise the deck.
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Construction on the $1.3 billion project to allow bigger cargo ships to reach New York City-area ports began in 2013. The roadway was raised to 215 feet above the Kill van Kull, 64 feet above the original deck.
The previous height limited the size of vessels that could pass underneath on their way to the ports of Newark and Elizabeth. Ships' masts passed mere feet below the span.
Without the Bayonne Bridge, commuters from Staten Island and New Jersey had to use the Goethals Bridge -- resulting in a longer commute.
"I live in Staten Island and I work in Bayonne," one commuter said. "I'd be home in 20 minutes instead of an hour."
Most regular users of the bridge are thrilled that the roadway will open for good, 1010 WINS reported. But others are concerned about the safety of the elevated roadway.
"Putting it so high up to get across -- a lot of people are scared of heights -- like me and my mom are worried about the weather and worried about the snow," one driver said.
The bridge will use a cashless toll system, using a combination of EZ Pass and mailed tolls.
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