BAYONNE — At the same time State Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney was calling for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to begin work to raise the Bayonne Bridge, he toured the site of the new Bayonne Crossing Mall on Route 440. Officials said the mall construction is ahead of schedule with Sonic hamburger restaurant due to open in early November and with Loews’ Home Improvement store slated to open before Thanksgiving.
“This is barring any unforeseen circumstances,” said Eric Alderman of Cameron Group LLC, the mall developer.
Sweeney said he was interested in the mall because of the jobs it will create, citing this as the reason to move ahead with raising the bridge.
Earlier this week, Rep. Albio Sires also cited the Bayonne Bridge as one of the keys for economic growth in and around Hudson County, saying that the clock is ticking because of expected changes in the Panama Canal, which will send a fleet of ships to New York that are currently too large to fit under the bridge in order to access Port Newark and Port Elizabeth.