Port Authority Expecting Millions of Travelers Over Holiday Weekend

The Port Authority projects about 2.6 million vehicles will cross its four interstate bridges and two tunnels from July 1 to July 4, the agency announced this week. That could mean heavy traffic and delays at the George Washington Bridge, although the Port Authority emphasized the Holland Tunnel in its alert.

“On July 4, the Port Authority Police anticipate heavy traffic conditions in and around the Holland Tunnel due to the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks display,” officials said in a statement. “To avoid any delays, travelers can use the George Washington Bridge as an alternate route to get in and out of Manhattan.”

The Port Authority urges people to use mass transit whenever possible “to relieve congestion and reduce carbon emissions,” but it goes on to say passengers at the Port Authority Bus Terminal and the George Washington Bridge Bus Station “should allow extra time and anticipate longer lines than usual.”

The Port Authority said it’s prepared to handle a total of more than 4.5 million travelers at its airports, bridges, tunnels, terminals and PATH rapid-transit system over the Independence Day weekend, which it called “one of the summer's busiest travel periods.”