Historic Bridge Begins Long Review

WASHINGTON CROSSING, Pa. -- In what was the first step in a years-long project to determine whether to alter the 119-year-old Washington Crossing Bridge seen as “aging, narrow and operationally challenged,” the owner and operator of the span recently completed analysis of single-lane travel restrictions on the steel structure.

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission had flaggers stationed on the bridge for two weeks ending Sept. 13 to direct traffic during off-peak hours. Vehicles were alternately restricted to one lane in either direction. The detailed assessment of the bridge that currently handles 7,200 vehicles daily was a mandatory part of the National Environmental Policy Act Review Process. Study results will not be known for some time.

“The travel restriction will allow engineers to conduct a detailed assessment of the bridge’s structural members, supports and connections,” said the bridge commission at the start of the analysis.

Results of the study are part of an extended process to determine how best to address concern with the bridge. It ultimately could lead to rehabilitation, rebuilding or doing nothing with the narrow steel structure that sees many side-swiping accidents.

“The detailed inspections will be integral to determining what future course of action the Commission might take with the 119-year-old narrow operationally challenged steel superstructure and its 190-year-old rubble-filled masonry piers built on wooden-crib foundation,” said the Commission.

When the Commission earlier this year indicated a “future course of action” includes bridge replacement, opposition to the idea came from local public and elected officials fearing a change would be detrimental to the historic area. As part of the opposition, officials have initiated an attempt to have the bridge placed on the National Register of Historic Places, which would forbid any changes to the current structure.

(What's bes for this troubled bridge over water? What would you do -- rehab, replace or do nothing?)

George WashingtonPhoto byLibrary of CongressonUnsplash