The Port Authority issued a gridlock alert for Monday near the Holland Tunnel area in Jersey City as repairs continue following a fire.
There are typically five lanes of traffic when drivers come out of the tunnel, but it was down to just two lanes after a fire Friday comprised the integrity of a ramp on Route 139. As of 6 a.m. Monday, four of five lanes were open.
Crews are making emergency repairs to the ramp. Officials said the fire was so hot that it melted some of the ramp's support beams.
One lane of Route 139 westbound will remain closed until further notice.
Transportation officials said a plan is in place to minimize the time necessary to make the repairs, but it's expected to take weeks or months to fix the severe damage.
Drivers who commute through the Holland Tunnel are urged to use mass transit. New Jersey Transit said it has increased its capacity on light rail and PATH train service during the morning and evening rush hours. It also added buses to routes along the Route 9 corridor to the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
The cause of the Friday's fire remains under investigation.