The major rehabilitation of the Center Avenue bridge in Fort Lee is reaching a critical milestone as the scheduled September 2026 construction window draws to a close. Managed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, this essential infrastructure project has required significant long-term lane and sidewalk closures since January, testing the patience of local commuters, business owners, and pedestrian traffic.
According to the initial project schedule released by the Port Authority, the right lanes and the sidewalk on the Center Avenue bridge have been closed to the public since January 16, 2026. This vital bridge spans the heavily traveled, multi-lane highway cut that serves as the main approach to the George Washington Bridge. The repairs were designed to address long-term structural wear and ensure the safety of the thousands of vehicles and pedestrians crossing over the interstate corridor daily.
For Fort Lee residents, the closure of the bridge's sidewalk has been a primary concern, as it serves as a major pedestrian connector between neighborhoods on either side of the highway cut. Local students, commuters heading to public transit, and patrons of downtown businesses have had to navigate designated pedestrian detours for the last eight months. Vehicular traffic has also faced regular bottleneck conditions during peak commuting hours, with drivers being forced to reroute to Lemoine Avenue or other nearby crossings.
This project is part of a broader, multi-phase effort to modernize the aging infrastructure surrounding the George Washington Bridge plaza. The borough is also preparing for future transit challenges, including the planned replacement of the nearby Route 9W bridge spanning Fletcher Avenue. Local officials emphasize that while these consecutive projects cause unavoidable short-term disruptions, they are critical for maintaining the safety and structural integrity of Fort Lee's dense roadway network.
As the September construction timeline wraps up, the Port Authority is expected to provide updates regarding the full restoration of lane capacity and the reopening of the pedestrian sidewalk. Fort Lee residents are advised to continue monitoring local traffic advisories and municipal alerts for final road-striping schedules and detour removals.