Pulaski Skyway

Unilocal makes this bridge sound like an awesome tourist attraction, or some enchanting skyway… but in actuality, it really isn’t. To cut straight to the chase, this is just an ordinary bridge… perhaps the shortest bridge I’ve driven across with no spectacular view. But, I do have to say it gets me to and from where I need to be, so two stars for that.

It’s only fitting that this is not only my 400^th Unilocal Review, but also my last as resident of Dirty Jersey. The Pulaski is a legendary road, which at times, I both love and hate passionately. It was built 100 years ago as a link between Newark and Jersey City, an expressway to get people to the Holland Tunnel. Since then, until recently, it has undergone no repairs or upgrades. The beauty of the Pulaski, is you can drive as fast as traffic allows, as there is absolutely nowhere for the police to set up a speed trap. The horror of the Pulaski, is that you can get absolutely punished in parking lot traffic due to the slightest accident. It’s a beautiful iron monstrosity, which carries us over the swamps of Essex and Hudson County. It’s the most direct way into the heart of Manhattan. And now, it’s closed East Bound for 2+ years. Oh Pulaski, you represent so much of what I love and hate about my home state. You will be missed dear friend.

Let the pain begin. A 2 year leave of tour has just begun. So what are you goona do?
So I’ve only crossed this god forsaken rickety NJ to Manhattan via the Holland bridge causeway about 10,000 times or more in my life. At times I’ve felt myself age while in horrific traffic typically heading into NYC. The sea of never ending construction signs along the route has been as ubiquitous as the NJT or GSP mile markers.
So now you take a 2 yr break just prior to the summer of 2015 or perhaps the infamous summer of pain. Poor Hoboken, poor Jersey City, poor us commuters. I suppose a fix was well over due so there’s no time like the present to avoid a catastrophe.
We will wait for you to come back to us with a new shiny coat, svelte cables, bulging steel girders and freshly paved roadway. We will curse you by my figures for about 24 months. Until we meet again you big beautiful gateway, I reserve my right to raise my rating to a 5 hopefully.

Oh Pulaski Skyway, how I love and loathe you at the same time.
When it comes to traveling into NYC from NJ, you provide the most direct route right into the heart of Manhtattan. Unfortunately, every so often, which has been more frequently lately, you are the bane of any motorists existence. I imagine getting stuck in traffic on the Pulaski Skyway is how fish feel when they get trapped in plastic six pack rings. There’s limited room for escape and, the more you struggle, the more frustrated you become. I can’t fully disown you though. You are my lifeline.
It will be sad to see you gone for two years for construction, but I hope you will come back better than ever.

This road can be your best friend or your worst nightmare depending on when you get on. But of course it’s unavoidable. Constantly under construction and to make matters worse the northbound lanes are going to be shutdown for 2 YEARS! Can you say, mass transit? I don’t expect to be visiting any friends in the JC, Hoboken area for a while…

When I’m asked to work in Newark, I usually utilize this sucker to zip on down to my job coming from JC in 10 minutes or so. It’s an easy ride and definitely a convenient workaround to eating a toll on the turnpike or something.
GAME OVER if there’s an accident or they’re doing construction in one lane. There aren’t any shoulders to pull off on so it becomes backed up very quickly. Also — the potholes are like real craters. You will kill your car driving over them every day if you aren’t careful…
Also, I don’t know what it is, but on this highway more than any other, there always seems to be like 2 people doing 20mph side by side not letting anyone get through and the speed limit is 50mph. But that’s not any fault of the Pulaski…

The structure itself is very unique, and the fact that there are off ramps in the center of the skyway is quite interesting. Once in a while, I do utilize the skyway during the «off-​peak» hours. The views are nice, especially at night.
The lanes are a little narrow, and whenever there’s an accident, expect to sit in traffic for a while.

They don’t make bridges like this anymore. Do they? No, they most certainly do not. There was a time in this country when men weren’t afraid of criticism. Things simply got done the old fashioned way. With a little grit, blood and honey. Could you imagine constructing a bridge with a center lane ramp? I can’t. That’s a shame. Adds to the cruising possibilities. Keeps you bouncing on the roadway, sorry SKYWAY, when you’re racing fellow motorists across Jersey’s glorious span. And another thing. Painting a structure jet-​black is a hard statement. It shows the world, «sorry, this sucker ain’t for wimps and rascals. It’s for best guys, only.» You are telling the world that a bridge like this will stand the test of time. Physically, sure. But also in the hearts and minds of Garden staters everywhere. Catch the view if you can. She’s a beaut.