Commuters are facing extensive delays after the upper level of the George Washington Bridge was closed Friday due to a shirtless climber on the New Jersey-side tower, police said.
Traffic cameras reportedly captured footage of the man climbing the tower, and traffic was diverted to the lower level of the bridge after police and emergency crews swarmed the scene. Both sides of the upper level reopened after about 40 minutes when the man was detained, but traffic delays continued.
It was the second time this week the upper level was closed during morning rush hour. Ten protesters were arrested for blocking the upper city-bound lanes on Wednesday. Part of the Laundry Worker Center’s #WeAreVisible movement, which demands equal rights for immigrants, the demonstrators chained themselves to the bridge.
Video footage of the great rescue by #ESU today on the #GeorgeWashingtonBridge. Excellent training, tactics & crisis intervention pic.twitter.com/GihrkGkO17
— NYPD Special Ops (@NYPDSpecialops) October 28, 2016
Just sitting in traffic waiting for police to get the climber off the bridge. #GeorgeWashingtonBridge #GWB pic.twitter.com/OJ6ZaMUyNX
— She And Me (@SheAndMe8) October 28, 2016
Traffic a standstill on the upper level of the #GWB because a shirtless man tried to climb it https://t.co/ZkExWEBxXv Glad I’m on the ferry pic.twitter.com/xoIDdJQGul
— Roger An (@RogerAn3D) October 28, 2016
The GWB Upper to NY is experiencing a delay of 90 minutes due to Police activity. Traffic is still being diverted to the lower level. [69]
— G W Bridge Alerts (@PANYNJ_GWB) October 28, 2016
Subject in custody. Traffic reopening.
— ParkwayPolice (@ParkwayPolice) October 28, 2016
GWB SHUT DOWN due to a person climbing the NJ Tower. MAJOR DELAYS EXPECTED. pic.twitter.com/8GY7BGo3Ik
— ParkwayPolice (@ParkwayPolice) October 28, 2016
