Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission has scheduled two public scoping open houses to gather input on the future of the Washington Crossing Toll-Supported Bridge.
The meetings are part of an alternatives analysis to determine a course of action for the 120-year-old structure, which connects Upper Makefield Township to Mercer County, New Jersey.
The commission is evaluating options including no action, replacement, rehabilitation, or repurposing of the bridge.
The Pennsylvania open house will be held Feb. 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Crossing Church, 1895 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing. The New Jersey session is set for Feb. 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Union Fire Company and Rescue Squad, 1396 River Road, Titusville.
The sessions will use a display-board format rather than a formal presentation.
The commissioner said in a release that attendees can speak with project professionals regarding the bridge’s deficiencies, environmental considerations, and the anticipated timeline. Materials will be posted to the project website following the events for those unable to attend.
The study is being conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act to identify a “preferred alternative” to improve mobility and safety.
The Washington Crossing Bridge is the commission’s narrowest vehicular span. It has a 15-foot-wide roadway divided into two 7.5-foot lanes.
According to the commission, the bridge receives the highest volume of customer complaints among its 20 crossings, with motorists frequently reporting broken mirrors and sideswipe accidents.
The structure has been under a 3-ton weight restriction since 1995.
In 2024, bridge monitors turned away more than 1,700 vehicles to prevent potential structural damage.
The bridge carried an average of 6,600 vehicles per day in 2024, down from its peak of 7,500 daily vehicles in 2013 and 2016.
While the commission seeks a long-term solution, many residents in Upper Makefield Township have expressed opposition to any plans that would change the bridge’s appearance, which is situated at Washington Crossing Park in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The current bridge opened April 11, 1905. It was originally built for a private company, and it has been publicly owned since 1922 and managed by the commission since 1987.
