Westbound lanes of the Trans-Manhattan Expressway leading onto the lower level of the George Washington Bridge were closed Wednesday after debris fell from the ceiling above the roadway, according to the Port Authority. A spokesperson for the Port Authority said lanes were expected to remain closed through the evening rush hour.
The incident happened during the morning commute, around 8 a.m., officials said. A Port Authority spokesperson said it was not related to another nearby incident last week, when material also fell onto the Trans-Manhattan Expressway — the congested stretch of road connecting the bridge with the Cross Bronx Expressway. The spokesperson said the two incidents happened in different areas of the road.
One person was transported to an area hospital after debris fell on their car, according to the FDNY.
Vehicles headed to the 181st Street exit were being directed to the Jerome Avenue and Major Deegan exits. The 181st Street exit was closed as of Wednesday afternoon. The Port Authority urged motorists to leave extra time or make alternate travel plans.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said on social media that she had also been briefed on the incident.
Last week's incident, which was captured on a driver's dashcam, prompted overnight inspections of ceiling panels in that section of roadway. The video showed the driver, John Toledo, driving into a large amount of debris as it falls into his path and his car shakes. He said he blew out his tire on impact.
A Port Authority spokesperson at the time said the material that fell last week appeared to be “primarily of dust and light material from above.” The road runs beneath the Bridge Apartments complex in Washington Heights.
This story has been updated with further comment by the Port Authority.
