Motorists planning to use the Washington Crossing Toll-Supported Bridge over the Delaware River should expect travel delays over the next two weeks due to lane restrictions.
The bridge that connects Upper Makefield Township and New Jersey will operate with a single alternating travel lane from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3, through Friday, Sept. 6, and resuming Monday, Sept. 9, to Friday, Sept. 13, according to the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.
Although those hours typically see lower traffic volumes, the commission advised drivers to be cautious and prepared for possible brief delays as they approach the work zone.
The lane closure will be weather permitting.
Traffic will be controlled by flaggers during these off-peak hours to minimize disruption.
Drivers seeking to avoid delays may consider using the Scudder Falls (I-295) Toll Bridge located approximately 2.5 miles south of Washington Crossing.
The lane closure will allow for a detailed assessment of the bridge’s structural integrity, focusing on its supports, connections, and overall condition.
The inspection is part of a broader alternatives analysis mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires up-to-date data to evaluate potential actions. These could range from leaving the bridge as-is, to more extensive options like rehabilitation, replacement, or alternative uses.
The commission’s intention to upgrade or replace the existing bridge have drawn an uproar from those who want to keep the current span, which the commission has said is outdated.
The in-depth inspection follows a biennial review conducted earlier this year under the Federal Highway Administration’s National Bridge Inspection Standards. However, the upcoming evaluations will provide critical insights that will influence the Commission’s decisions on the future of the 119-year-old bridge and its 190-year-old masonry piers, officials said.
