Update: Traffic is moving again on the Staten Island Expressway, according to WCBS880.com.



STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Commuters are stuck in post-rush hour delays on the Staten Island Expressway and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on Thursday morning.

The traffic jam is continuing after rush hour with delays of about a half-hour around 10 a.m. Shortly after 10 a.m., bus delays due to "conditions on the Verrazano Bridge" were posted on the NYCT Buses Twitter feed.

Affected lines include the S53, S79-SBS, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8, X9, X14 and X15.

The Brooklyn-bound traffic jam is caused by overnight construction that is running late, according to the MTA.

As of 8:30 a.m., WCBS880.com estimated the delays at more than an hour and 20 minutes on the highway.

The MTA warned about "heavy delays... due to volume," and cautioned that the S53, S79-SBS, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8, X9, X14 and X15 were running late as a result of conditions on the span.

Spillover traffic was choking streets leading to the expressway -- including Hylan Boulevard, Clove Road and Fingerboard Road on the East Shore.

Media reports indicate that the delay is related to a new HOV/bus lane that opened to traffic on the Brooklyn-bound upper level of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on Thursday morning.

Multiple frustrated motorists contacted the Advance to vent.

One driver delayed heading over the bridge claimed drivers not eligible for the HOV lane were using it anyway.

The lane opened at 6 a.m. The bridge's seventh lane will allow for a continuous 14-mile HOV lane from Staten Island to the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel and Lower Manhattan.

It is expected to improve traffic flow and save up to 15 minutes in travel time.

Buses and cars with three or more people will be able to use the lane.