|
|
History
Pulaski Skyway
The construction of the Pulaski Skyway began as part of a larger 13 mile Route 1&9 Extension project in the 1920s. Its design improved
traffic flow from Newark to Jersey City and reduced transportation costs. The Skyway is included in the National Register of Historic Places
because of its age, length and unique design features.
|
|
Designed by New Jersey Department
of Transportation (NJDOT)
Engineer Sigvald Johannesson, it
was named for General Casimir
Pulaski, the Polish-born
hero of the American Revolutionary
War, on the anniversary of
Pulaski’s
death. Pulaski, known as
the “Father
of the American Cavalry,” formed
an independent cavalry called
the Pulaski Legion. The General
fought in Haddonfield, Little
Egg Harbor and New Jersey
Osborn’s
Island. Severely |
From the Skyway, this is a view looking east.
|
wounded fighting the British,
he died in 1779 at the age of
31.
Starting at the Jersey
City terminus in Hudson
County, the Skyway -- a steel
structure more than three miles
long, with two main river crossing
spans of 550 feet each cantilevered
Pratt trusses -- crosses over
the local street and railroad
network. The typical roadway
section of the Skyway consists
of two 11-foot lanes with no
shoulders in both directions.
There is a center median barrier,
and two-foot safety walks along
both outer lanes.
|
The Skyway rises high above the Meadowlands, reaching more than 135 feet above the Hackensack River before it passes over an industrial area in
Kearny, Hudson County, on an elevated causeway. Then it rises 135 feet above the Passaic River and crosses the New Jersey Turnpike into Newark,
Essex County as it descends. Access ramps provide connections from the Skyway and local streets in Jersey City, Kearny, and Newark.
Several alterations to the original
|
Looking northwest, the Pulaski Skyway
rises over the Passaic River.
|
| structure have been made over the years, including the addition of new ramps to and from South Kearny. The
last rehabilitation of the Skyway was performed in 1984.
Route 139 Hoboken and Conrail
Viaducts
The Hoboken and Conrail
Viaducts serve as a link
between the
Holland Tunnel and the Pulaski
Skyway.
| The Hoboken
Avenue Viaduct (Upper
Roadway) is a four
lane east-west divided
arterial in Jersey
City which carries
traffic via Hoboken
Avenue from the Pulaski
Skyway to the Holland
Tunnel. The Hoboken
Avenue Viaduct carries
Hoboken Avenue over
the Route 139 Lower
Roadway. The Lower
Roadway serves as a
link between the Jersey
City and New York. |
Route 139 Lower Roadway |
The Conrail Viaduct
is a four lane, 12 span
structure between the
Hoboken Avenue Viaduct
and the Pulaski Skyway which
crosses over the abandoned Conrail
railroad tracks.
The Viaducts were constructed
in 1927 as part of the
limited access approach
road to the Holland Tunnel
and are both contributing
resources in the Route
1&9 Historic District.
The Viaducts are in need of
repair due to structural
and operational defiencies. Proposed
improvements include:
- Replace the deck, supporting
beams and columns supporting
the eastbound side of the
Hoboken Viaduct and resurfacing
the westbound roadway.
- Replace the deck on the
Conrail Viaduct and strengthen
the supporting trusses.
- Operational improvements
at several intersections
on the Upper Roadway.
|
|
