Major delays on Route 139 to Holland Tunnel expected starting tomorrow because of local lane closures for emergency water main repairs in Jersey City

(Trenton) - New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced motorists should expect major delays and congestion on Route 139 eastbound going toward the Holland Tunnel while the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority (JCMUA) performs emergency sewer rehabilitation work on 12th Street for the next two weeks.

Starting at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, October 18, and continuing for two weeks, Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority will be closing the two left lanes on 12th Street between Jersey Avenue and Marin Boulevard.

Motorists should expect heavy congestion and delays on Route 139 eastbound into the construction area on 12th Street and are encouraged to consider alternate routes for the next two weeks.

This work is expected to continue through the end of the month. The following information on the project and schedule was provided by Jersey City:

Please be advised that the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority will be performing the following work near the entrance of the Holland Tunnel over the next two weeks in order to rehabilitate an existing brick sewer beneath 12th Street between Jersey Avenue and Marin Boulevard.

It is important to note, with the exception of two small areas, the work will not involve excavation. However, two lanes along the north side of 12th Street will be closed during the course of this work.

The following is a schedule of the rehabilitation of the subject 48-inch by 36-inch brick sewer along 12th Street:
1. Thursday - October 18th, 2018 at 10AM (continuous operation for approximately 72 hours) – Cured in Place (CIPP) Lining the existing brick sewer from the middle of Erie Street and Manila Avenue to Jersey Avenue
2. Monday – October 22nd, 2018 at 10AM (duration TBD based on the extent of the repair work) – Begin the open cut repair where necessary from Manila Avenue to Marin Boulevard
3. Thursday – October 25th, 2018 at 10AM (continuous operation for approximately 72 hours) – CIPP Lining the existing brick sewer from the middle of Erie Street and Manila Avenue to Marin Boulevard

Please be aware that during the CIPP lining installation scheduled for Thursday October 25th, 2018, the 2-lanes closed for the repair work will need to remain closed until the CIPP lining operations are completed (the completion of the CIPP lining guarantees a structural pipe going through the repair). In summary, the 2-lane closure for the excavation repair will be between Manila Avenue and Marin Boulevard, but when the CIPP operation begins directly after the repair, the 2-lane closure will extend from the middle of Erie Street and Manila Avenue to Marin Boulevard.

All media inquiries should be directed to Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione at KWallace@jcnj.org or 201-376-0699.

NJDOT is assisting our regional partners by using variable message signs to provide advance notification to motorists of all traffic pattern changes associated with the emergency repairs.

Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info or on the NJDOT Facebook page.