Adam RollinsThis story was originally published in the Government Contracting Pipeline newsletter from Strategic Partnerships, Inc. To have the latest government contracting news stories from across the country delivered straight to your inbox, click here to subscribe.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) will use $25 million to reconstruct a portion of the road leading into the Holland Tunnel. The project will reconfigure the adjoining roadways and institute non-motorized traveler safety features to prevent accidents and increase mobility. Construction is anticipated to begin in October 2027.
The authority will reduce the existing six mainline eastbound lanes along the 12th Street Corridor to four lanes. The lower lane amount will help align vehicles as they approach the tunnel, providing better traffic control and mitigating unsafe driving practices. The completed project will help restitch local communities together, providing safe transit options and reducing emissions produced by traffic around the Holland Tunnel.
As part of the road diet, the project will expand mobility features for pedestrians and bicyclists. This includes installing a separated two-way bike lane along the street connected to the Jersey City waterfront. In addition, the authority will build north-south bike paths that will connect with Jersey City’s future bike lane network.
Pedestrians will benefit from wider sidewalks, expanded through curb extensions and bump-outs. These sidewalk improvements will be ADA compliant, providing non-motorized travel with the dedicated space needed to navigate the area and provide better visibility and sightlines for drivers.
The project will also install energy-efficient LED fixtures along the street, traffic signals and improved sensor technology to prevent oversized vehicles and vehicles carrying hazardous materials from causing issues around the tunnel’s entrance. Stormwater mitigation plans will include installing porous pavement and rain gardens around the area, situated to handle rain and sewage runoff before they can enter the Hudson River. Additional landscaping, trees and vegetation are planned to improve the street’s aesthetics and improve air quality.
Photo courtesy MusikAnimal, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
