Pulaski Skyway closes for repairs

NEWARK (WABC) -- More work begins this weekend on the Pulaski Skyway that will force drivers to use alternate routes.

Beginning at 9 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday, contractors will remove and install floor beams on the 83-year-old span. New deck panels also will be added to the north side.

The bridge will be closed in both directions over the course of eight weekends through the end of May.

Detours will be posted.

The state Transportation Department says the $1 billion Pulaski Skyway project will extend the life of the bridge by 75 years.

Inbound traffic is being detoured on the 83-year-old span for the next two years for repairs.

The Skyway, which carries an estimated 40,000 commuters each day toward Jersey City and the Holland Tunnel into Manhattan - 74,000 vehicles total both ways - needs $1 billion in repairs to what engineers say is a decrepit, crumbling structure.

The iconic 3.5-mile steel truss bridge, opened in 1932, is an iconic New Jersey symbol, featured in Orson Welles' 1938 broadcast War of the Worlds, and in the opening credits of the television series The Sopranos.

The following detours will be in place:

Southbound Traffic (toward Newark):

Leaving the Holland Tunnel, motorists will have the following options:

Stay to the far right and take the NJ Turnpike-Hudson County Extension to all destinations west and south, including I-78.

Stay to the left and follow signs for Route 139 West, then stay left to Route 1&9 Truck southbound towards Newark, Route 7 and I-280.

Motorists should avoid the ramp from Route 139/Covered Roadway that leads into the Tonnelle Circle because of expected heavy congestion.

Local Traffic for Jersey City:

Stay to the middle to take Route 139 Upper Roadway and follow signs to Kennedy Boulevard/Jersey City, to best access many local Jersey City locations and other points north (Secaucus)

Northbound Traffic (toward Jersey City):

Northbound traffic will continue to utilize the same Skyway alternate routes that have been in effect since the northbound lanes were closed last year:

NJ Turnpike-Hudson County Extension

Route 1&9 Truck northbound

Communipaw Avenue to access local Jersey City Locations.

The Pulaski Skyway rehabilitation project has been divided into 10 contracts, with work continuing into the year 2020. The deck replacement work over the next two years falls under contracts 3 and 4.

Anyone who has questions or concerns about the project is asked to call 973-776-7400 or email Pulaski.Skyway@dot.nj.gov.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.