Bayonne Mayor Supports Coast Guard's Approval For New Turnpike Bridge Over Newark Bay

The United States Coast Guard has given a permit for the proposed $6 billion, Newark Bay Bridge replacement, clearing a major hurdle in the construction process which is set to begin early in 2026.  The project has the support of Governor Phil Murphy, but has been criticized by gubernatorial candidate Steven Fulop, the Mayor of Jersey City.

Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis called the permit approval a “great day” for the Peninsula City.   The project calls for two bridge spans over Newark Bay; one westbound toward Newark and the main stretch of the New Jersey Turnpike, and one eastbound toward Exit 14A in Bayonne and the Holland Tunnel in Jersey City.

Davis said in a statement, “This project is vitally important for secuting Bayonne’s economic future and quality of life.  The existing bridge is getting worn out.  It was built seven decades ago.  The bridge gas been fixed repeatedly for over fifty years.  It is obvious that the bridge needs to be replaced.  The current bridge cannot handle the traffic volume that we have in the 21st century.  Bayonne residents are tired of the traffic jams to the bridge, on the bridge, and from the bridge.  I look forward to additional progress towards construction.”

Mayor Fulop stated, “We need more mass transit and not more highways.  As governor, we will complete safety improvements to the bridge and cancel the balance of this widening to reallocate the money to mass transit.”

Fulop plans to pursue litigation against the State of New Jersey to stop the project.