Why is the Bayonne Bridge a problem?
It’s height is stuck at 150+ feet clearance but new container ships are being built that are much taller, especially after 2015 when the third, and larger, set of locks open in the Panama Canal (See “What does ‘post-Panamax’ mean?”) This would seriously affect the huge ports in Newark Bay and potentially cost millions in lost jobs and economic activity. The Port Authority of NY/NJ is studying solutions including jacking the existing bridge up to 215’ clearance, or replacing the bridge with a new bridge or tunnel – all expensive options – but all with net economic benefits.
