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Beginning Monday, the shoulder of the New Jersey Turnpike extension in Hudson County will be used as an extra lane to alleviate traffic during the partial closing of the Pulaski Skyway for up to two years starting April 12.

(Aristide Economopoulos/The Star-Ledger)

In a dress rehearsal for one of the major travel alternatives once construction begins on the Pulaski Skyway, motorists will be able to use the shoulder of the New Jersey Turnpike extension in Hudson County as an extra lane starting Monday.

The eastbound shoulder of the Turnpike extension on Interstate 78 is scheduled to be available as a third lane from 6 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays.

Eleven overhead sign structures have been built on the nearly 6-mile stretch of the eastbound extension between Exit 14 (Newark Liberty International Airport, I-78, Routes 1&9) and Exit 14C (Holland Tunnel). Green or yellow arrows or a red X will signify whether the extra lane is open (green), closed (red) or about to close (yellow).

"This system will allow us to use the eastbound shoulder of the extension as travel lanes during the morning and PM rush periods," New Jersey Turnpike Authority

Executive Director Joe Mrozek said. "Use of the shoulder will give added capacity to handle some of the traffic looking for an alternate route to New York City or to other locations in Hudson County during the Pulaski Skyway project."

The historic but decrepit 82-year-old skyway, which stretches from Newark to Jersey City, will be closed to northbound traffic toward Jersey City and New York for up to two years beginning April 12.

Travel will continue to be allowed on the two southbound lanes from New York to New Jersey during the major rehabilitation of the steel truss bridge.

A little over 4,000 vehicles per hour now travel the two lanes of the Turnpike extension during peak periods, and the extra lane is expected to accommodate another 1,900 vehicles per hour, officials said.

During peak hours, it costs $2.45 in tolls to travel the extension.

RELATED COVERAGE

• N.J. Turnpike extension to open shoulder as extra lane during Pulaski Skyway repairs

• Commuter nightmare: Pulaski Skyway repairs will force alternate route to NYC for 2 years

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