Some demolition work on a New York metro area bridge has been halted after falling debris damaged cars on the streets below.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says chunks of concrete fell off the Bayonne Bridge early Monday and damaged three vehicles.

The bridge connects Staten Island with Bayonne, New Jersey. Residents on the Staten Island side say falling debris has gotten worse lately.

Local auto repair shop owner Vaughn Bellocchio says if anyone had been in the area when the concrete fell “they would have been dead.” He says he can’t see any protective measures to catch falling debris.

Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman says concrete demolition work has been suspended until a contractor submits a plan aimed at preventing accidents.

Demolition of steel parts of the old bridge continues.

(AP)