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Released: 4/28/2014
Construction-Related Motor Vehicle Lane Closures Underway on the Ben Franklin Bridge
Periodic, Daytime Closures will Affect Rush-Hour Counter-Commuters
CAMDEN, N.J. - Traffic lanes on the far south and far north sides of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge will be closed periodically throughout the spring to accommodate the $103 million bridge track rehabilitation project currently underway.
The closures will take place during daylight hours as needed throughout the week and will affect counter-commuting traffic - or traffic moving in the direction opposite the main rush-hour flow.
The closures will take place during daylight hours as needed throughout the week and will affect counter-commuting traffic - or traffic moving in the direction opposite the main rush-hour flow.
“We regret the inconvenience to our customers,” said DRPA CEO John Hanson. “Unfortunately, we must satisfy two imperatives: Rehabilitating PATCO tracks, and keeping train passengers and motorists moving across the Ben Franklin Bridge. We will continue to do both jobs while serving our customers as efficiently as possible under the circumstances.”
During the morning rush hour, for example, the eastbound far south lane will be closed, leaving two lanes of traffic moving toward New Jersey. Rush-hour traffic heading west into Philadelphia will be able to avail itself of the usual four lanes.
Conversely, during the evening rush hour, the westbound far north lane will be closed, leaving two lanes of traffic moving toward Pennsylvania. Rush-hour traffic heading east into New Jersey will be able to avail itself of the usual four lanes.
Periodic lane closures will continue into early June, when the far south, eastbound lane will be closed for 60 days to accommodate a prolonged, construction-related, one-track outage on the bridge.
Motorists may encounter eastbound delays during the summer 60-day lane closure, particularly during the evening rush hour. The DRPA advises motorists to cross the Walt Whitman Bridge during evening rush hour until the 60-day closure ends in late July or early August.
It is anticipated that the two-year track rehabilitation project will be completed by early 2016. More than half of the project is expected to be completed by the end of this summer.
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The Delaware River Port Authority is a regional transportation agency that connects millions of people and businesses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The DRPA owns and operates the PATCO commuter rail line and the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross toll bridges. The DRPA also owns the RiverLink Ferry. For more information please visit our websites - www.drpa.organd www.ridepatco.org - or follow us on Twitter: @DRPA_PaandNJ or @RidePATCO.
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