Port Authority Alerts NJ Travelers To Plan Ahead Of 4th Of July

FORT LEE, NJ — The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are encouraging all travelers to plan ahead of the 4th of July and take into account additional travel time, according to an advisory message sent out by the Borough of Fort Lee.

More than 4.4 million people are expected to fly or drive as summer travel season gets underway, officials said in a statement.

As many as 3.3 million vehicles are expected to cross the Port Authority’s bridges and tunnels over the same holiday weekend period based on recent travel trends, which is an estimate similar to 2019 actual traffic volumes.

To accommodate motorists traveling between New York and New Jersey, non-emergency repairs and construction projects at the agency’s crossings will be suspended from 5 a.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 2 to 6.

Officials put out a reminder information about closures and COVID-19 restrictions:

• George Washington Bridge:

At all hours, a ramp to the northbound Henry Hudson Parkway near the George Washington Bridge remains closed for repairs to a retaining wall. Eastbound motorists exiting at Riverside Drive or heading to the northbound Henry Hudson Parkway are advised to take the upper level of the bridge. Access to the southbound Henry Hudson Parkway remains unaffected. Westbound motorists are encouraged to exit at 181st Street off the bridge’s lower level for the Henry Hudson Parkway or Riverside Drive.

• Lincoln Tunnel:

From 11 p.m. on July 3, to 10 a.m. on July 4, the right two lanes of the westbound Helix will be closed for priority roadway repairs. The left lane of the westbound Helix will remain open. Access to the westbound Interstate 495 Pleasant Ave on-ramp will not be affected. The exit ramps for both Muellers and Park avenues (Hauxhurst) will be open. New York-bound traffic will not be affected.

• Airports and airtrains:

As a reminder, terminal access at John F. Kennedy, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia and New York Stewart International airports is restricted to ticketed passengers, airport employees, and those who otherwise demonstrate a need to enter the facility for airport business. Anyone entering a terminal may be asked to provide evidence of a reason for entry, such as a ticket, boarding pass, flight reservation or comparable item for a flight departing from that particular airport; an airport identification card (airport employee ID); or documentation that a person is a vendor, contractor or otherwise doing authorized business within the terminal.

Through December 2021, AirTrain Newark’s P2 station will be closed for construction of the consolidated rental car facility. While customers currently do not use this P2 AirTrain station, minimal passenger impact is expected and supplemental shuttle buses will be available if necessary.

From 12:01 a.m. on June 30 through 11:59 p.m. on July 5, the Port Authority and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will offer free LaGuardia Link Q70 Select Bus Service to encourage the public’s use of mass transit to and from LaGuardia Airport.

Beginning July 6 through Oct. 1, Newark Liberty’s Runway 4R-22L will be closed as part of an $84.2 million rehabilitation project. To minimize operational impacts, the Federal Aviation Administration will redirect flight activity to the airport’s other runways during this period.

• Path:

At all hours, the southwest entrance to the Path Harrison station is closed to accommodate demolition work ahead of a renovation of the station. During construction, riders must use traffic signal pedestrian crossings at Angelo Cifelli Drive and Guyon Drive to access a corresponding station house on the opposite side of Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard.

On July 4, from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Path will operate extra trains between Newark and World Trade Center.

On July 5, trains will operate on a Saturday schedule.

Customers who use the WTC Path station during overnights should use the entrances at Fulton Street or Vesey Street via the North Concourse in the 2 World Trade Center Transit Lobby. Oculus access is limited overnight from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. to allow for enhanced cleaning and the safety and security of customers due to reduced traffic volumes. All other entrances will be closed. For more updates on the WTC campus, click here.

As a reminder, the 9 Street and 23 Street stations are closed each midnight to 5 a.m. the following morning for maintenance. Nearby Path stations at Christopher Street, 14 Street and 33 Street remain open 24 hours a day unless otherwise noted.