New Jersey's state government is set to complete the $1.6bn elevation works on the Bayonne Bridge roadway in the US ahead of its schedule. 

In order to benefit the local motorists, the authorities have opened an elevated roadway through the existing arch bridge and over the original roadway in February, while maintaining traffic flow on the lower span. 

The government also revealed that the bridge built to its full width by 2019 will provide additional benefits to motorists that include a fully modern, safer and wider roadway with four 12ft wide lanes in each direction, outside and inside shoulders and a shared-use pedestrian and bicycle path. 

With the opening of this new elevated bridge, the government anticipates that it would not only allow ultra-large container vessels to pass beneath the span, gaining access to the Ports of Newark, Elizabeth, and Staten Island, but will also support New Jersey's economy by making the state a business destination. 

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said: "The ‘Raise the Roadway' project is a true game-changer for the port, one of the state's and this region's most significant job creators, employing 336,000 people and generating billions of dollars in economic activity. 

"With the lifting of the bridge's navigational restrictions, we expect these numbers to continue to grow and shipping lines to begin to send their larger ships to this port.

"With the lifting of the bridge’s navigational restrictions, we expect these numbers to continue to grow and shipping lines to begin to send their larger ships to this port."

“As a result, more businesses will seek to locate in the port area to create jobs, especially in the skilled trades while garnering the benefits being close to the port can bring. These businesses already generate nearly $53.5bn in economic activity."

Managed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the project is being carried out by the joint venture of Skanska/Koch/Kiewit Infrastructure.

Currently, the Bayonne Bridgehas a navigational clearance of 151ft, limiting the size of the vessels that can travel under it to around 8,000TEUs to 9,000TEUs.

Providing a clearance of 215ft, the newly raised roadway will allow ships with up to 18,000TEUs to pass below to access terminals located in New Jersey and Staten Island.

Image: A ship moving towards the bridge. Photo: courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net/Phil_Bird.