NJ Construction Liability was just increased upon the announcement that the construction of the Bayonne Bridge is being pushed back two years, with its completion date now in mid-2019. A variety of factors have contributed to this stall which aims to improve navigational clearance for modern ships.
The Port Authority claimed “numerous challenges” are causing the delay including the harsh winter of 2014 and 2015; changes in project staging to address community concerns and reduce construction impacts overnight; modifications to the existing steel arch to ensure safety and allow traffic to continue during construction; as well as steel reinforcement activities requiring additional repairs.
The project, titled “Raise the Roadway,” was estimated to be a $1.3 billion project and commenced May of 2013. The project strives to increase the clearance under the bridge to 215 feet to allow modern ships to travel beneath it while also adding new roadways with 12-foot lanes for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Pat Foye, Port Authority Executive Director, stated “Although a number of challenges have impacted the project’s timetable, we continue to monitor the Skanska JV’s construction progress and, together with Skanska JV, anticipate completion within the schedule announced today.”
According to NewJersey.com, the project is almost 50 percent complete, with $380 million worth of construction in place. However, the delays will likely result in a 15 percent cost increase overall. While the bridge may not be completed until 2019, clearance for ships is scheduled to be completed in late 2017.
In addition, there has been backlash from Bayonne officials and construction workers on the project about the delay, claiming the Port Authority performed a bait and switch on the local residents by promising a prompt completion and delivering the opposite.
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