The U.S. Coast Guard has officially approved the start of a $6 billion project to replace the aging Newark Bay Bridge in New Jersey. This decision allows the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) to move ahead with the first phase of its $10.7 billion Turnpike Extension Improvements Program. After years of planning, public debate, and environmental studies, the green light clears a major hurdle for what will become one of the largest infrastructure efforts in the state’s history.
- The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Finding of No Significant Impact and a bridge permit for New Jersey’s $6 billion Newark Bay Bridge replacement.
- The Turnpike Authority will use low-emission equipment and monitor air, noise, and vibration to protect nearby communities.
- Despite controversy, officials stress that toll revenues, not taxpayer dollars, will cover the cost.
Urgent Replacement of an Outdated Bridge Now Approved
The Newark Bay Bridge, which connects Interchanges 14 in Newark and 14A in Bayonne and Jersey City, opened in 1956 and has now reached the end of its service life. The NJTA has confirmed that the structure is deteriorating and must be replaced to ensure driver safety. With the Coast Guard’s approval on May 7, based on a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), construction is set to begin in 2026.
The first goal is to move traffic off the old bridge by 2031, which will happen by first building one new span, diverting traffic to it, and then demolishing the existing bridge. A second new span will then be built in its place. This phased construction is expected to finish by 2037. The entire program, which involves major upgrades across the Turnpike Extension, will be completed by 2040.
According to Lisa Navarro, the supervising engineer and NJTA’s program manager, this first phase is the most urgent due to the structure’s severe deterioration. She also pointed out that the current two lanes in each direction create dangerous merging and traffic bottlenecks. The plan is to expand this section to four lanes each way, but no new lanes will be added beyond Exit 14C, near the Holland Tunnel, to avoid increasing congestion in Jersey City.
The new design aims to relieve chronic traffic pressure in Newark’s East Ward, northern Bayonne, and the Greenville section of Jersey City. Navarro said the current bridge setup is causing accidents and delays that the expanded design will help fix. Over one-third of all traffic exits at 14A into Bayonne, supporting the case for wider lanes through this segment only.
Community Impact, Environmental Safety, and Oversight
The NJTA’s Environmental Assessment, reviewed by the Coast Guard, concluded that the project would not significantly affect the environment. There will be no displacement of homes, community spaces, parks, or places of worship. Water quality, wetlands, and wildlife will also be protected through planned mitigation.
To address concerns raised during the public comment period, where over 1,200 comments were submitted, the NJTA developed an Adaptive Management Plan. This includes real-time monitoring of air quality, noise, and vibrations throughout construction –– data that will be shared with the public, and residents will help decide where to place the sensors. Equipment used on-site will meet strict low-emission standards to lessen the impact on surrounding neighborhoods.
Graham Trelstad, an environmental consultant on the project, stated that the team worked closely with federal and state agencies over four years to meet requirements for air, water, and habitat protection. Sound barriers will be extended to reduce noise pollution, and stormwater management systems will protect water quality.
Navarro emphasized that monitoring won’t just be performed, but it will also be adjusted based on community feedback. If, for example, dust becomes a problem, contractors will be required to respond immediately. These standards were shaped in meetings with various groups, including the “I Love Greenville” community organization in Jersey City, where Senator Angela McKnight serves as vice chair.
The NJTA held over 100 stakeholder meetings and 80 meetings with environmental agencies, which shaped the project’s environmental safeguards and public health protections.
A Divided Political Response as Construction Nears
Despite this progress, the project remains politically controversial. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, a candidate for New Jersey governor, opposes the plan. He has promised to cancel the Turnpike widening if elected and redirect the money to public transportation.Fulop believes mass transit should take priority and argues that adding highway lanes is an outdated approach to solving congestion.
In contrast, Turnpike officials argue that the project is not about expansion for its own sake but about replacing infrastructure that is no longer safe. Navarro stressed that this is not a taxpayer-funded initiative. All costs are covered by toll revenues, legally limited to road and bridge projects, and cannot be reallocated to transit. In addition to funding this project, the NJTA contributes $500 million annually to New Jersey’s public transit and $89 million each year to the Gateway Tunnel project.
Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis has strongly supported the bridge replacement, calling the Coast Guard’s permit a big step forward for Bayonne’s future. He sees the project as essential for both public safety and economic growth.
The labor community is also backing the plan. Greg Lalevee, Business Manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, praised the NJTA’s efforts. He stated that the authority has carefully listened to local voices while designing a project that protects health and promotes long-term transportation goals.
NJTA Chief Engineer Daniel Hesslein echoed that the permit and environmental clearance are key steps in delivering a safer and more modern Turnpike Extension. AJ Piechnik, Vice President of HNTB, a design firm on the project, explained that early construction work will take place on work platforms in Newark Bay and won’t disrupt current traffic.
With the Coast Guard’s permit in hand, the NJTA now seeks final approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and will begin awarding contracts soon. Work is scheduled to begin in early 2026.
