BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. — A new phase of the $2 billion rehabilitation of the George Washington Bridge begins Friday, Aug. 14, and the impact could extend well beyond Fort Lee, with commuters across Bergen County likely to feel the effects on I-95, Route 4 and surrounding roads.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is beginning work on the Center Avenue bridge over the George Washington Bridge approach. The project will close the right lanes and sidewalks of the northbound Center Avenue bridge, along with ramps connecting Center Avenue and I-95. The closures are expected to remain in place through December.

For the thousands of Bergen County residents who use the George Washington Bridge to travel into New York each day, the bigger concern may be what happens when traffic begins backing up beyond the immediate construction area.

Route 4 and I-95 are major approaches to the bridge and already carry heavy commuter traffic. Route 4 feeds directly into the GWB complex, while I-95 connects with the bridge through the Fort Lee interchange.

That means commuters in communities including Teaneck, Englewood, Tenafly, Bergenfield, New Milford, Paramus and Fair Lawn could see longer travel times when congestion spills onto the surrounding highway network.

The Port Authority says multiple detours will be used during the construction, including separate routes for trucks and buses. Drivers are being urged to allow additional travel time and follow posted detour signs.

The Center Avenue work is part of the Port Authority's broader "Restoring the George" program, a multi-year effort involving 11 projects and approximately $2 billion in rehabilitation work on the nearly century-old bridge.

Once completed, the Center Avenue overpass will have upgraded structural components, improved lighting and new roadway and pedestrian features designed to improve safety and traffic flow.

But for Bergen County commuters, the immediate question is much simpler: How bad will traffic get?

The GWB is one of the region's most critical transportation links, and disruptions around the bridge can quickly ripple onto Route 4, I-95 and local roads feeding the interchange. Previous incidents and construction-related delays at the bridge have sent backups onto Route 4 and Route 46.

The latest phase begins Friday, Aug. 14, and is expected to continue through December. Commuters who normally rely on Route 4 or I-95 should expect potentially longer trips and consider allowing extra time, particularly during the morning and evening rush.