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Released: 1/12/2012
Phase Two Of Walt Whitman Bridge Redecking Project Begins With New Traffic Pattern
Drivers using the Walt Whitman Bridge are advised to be aware of changing traffic patterns in the eastbound direction into New Jersey as of 5am on January 25. Reduced speed and lane closures are to be expected. There will be no eastbound “permit vehicles” allowed during this phase which should take about 5 months to complete. During this phase of the re-decking project the long term closure will involve the eastbound lane adjacent to the far right eastbound curb lane. This will result in a “cattle chute” for the far right eastbound lane into New Jersey which was the first lane to be re-decked. During peak eastbound traffic periods drivers are advised to consider using either the Commodore Barry Bridge, Ben Franklin Bridge or PATCO.
The redecking project includes the removal of the suspended span, installation of a new lightweight concrete filled jointless grid deck, structure improvements, new parapets and a new steel shell movable barrier. The bridge is 54 years old first opening to traffic on May 16th, 1957. In 2010, 39 million vehicles crossed the bridge.
The deck removal and replacement project began in August and is expected to be completed in the summer of 2014. Two contracts totaling $139,774,286.67 to both redeck the Walt Whitman Bridge and monitor the project were awarded by the DRPA Board of Commissioners in May of 2010.
Project updates are posted on a special website, www.deckthewalt.com, and may also be heard on the Walt Whitman Bridge Traffic Advisory Radio Station at 530 AM.
The Delaware River Port Authority is a regional transportation agency. DRPA owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry Betsy Ross Bridge and PATCO. The DRPA also owns the RiverLink Ferry.
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