The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has announced a significant advancement in its project to modernize the road network leading into Port Newark and the adjacent Elizabeth Port Authority Marine Terminal. The ramp from eastbound Port Street to southbound Corbin Street will be closed for demolition and reconstruction starting at 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16.
During the closure, which is expected to last approximately one year, all vehicular traffic will be detoured via Marlin and Kellogg streets. The detour route has been newly rebuilt to accommodate additional traffic, featuring new lanes and smoother turns.
“This seaport is the beating heart of our region’s economy, and we need its arteries to be as safe, efficient and accessible as possible,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “The Corbin Street ramp closure marks an important step in our investment in the port’s roadway network.”
Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton added, “Reconstructing the Corbin Street ramp marks a significant milestone in our effort to modernize one of the major access points to the East Coast’s busiest port complex.”
The current ramp from Port Street to Corbin Street, which is over 60 years old, will be demolished and rebuilt with a wider turning angle and restored second lane. This aims to improve traffic flow into the complex from major roadways including the New Jersey Turnpike, Interstate 78, and U.S. routes 1 and 9.
Significant improvements have been made on the detour route with additional lanes at higher elevations to reduce flooding, new signals and signage, and wider turning angles facilitating more efficient truck movement.
The project received a $44 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program in July 2021. It is expected to generate 260 additional direct jobs during construction with an emphasis on working with local minority- and women-owned contractors.
Planning for this project involved extensive outreach with port stakeholders as well as federal, state, and local partners. The improvements are anticipated to benefit many partners who use the port's facilities by enhancing safety features that are expected to reduce crashes by more than 35 percent.
The overall modernization effort includes raising main interchange areas to alleviate flooding, constructing a new storm drainage system connecting improved roadways to a new discharge point in the Port Newark Channel, realigning railroad tracks for safer intersections with streets, adding street lighting along Kellogg and Marlin streets among other enhancements.
More information on this project can be found on its dedicated website where frequent port users can also sign up for event or incident alerts.
