Authority prepared for full-scale storm operations

CAMDEN, NJ - The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) announced today that it is prepared to facilitate traffic between Pennsylvania and New Jersey during the current and on-going severe winter weather. The Authority is has responsible for four Delaware River bridges (the Betsy Ross, Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, and Commodore Barry) and their approach roads, as well as PATCO rail-transit line. Motorists are asked to remain alert for plow crews and emergency vehicles, and urged to allow extra time in reaching their destinations.

• 2,500+ tons of salt for the roadways on the bridges
• 1,000+ gallons of brine to pretreat the roadways in advance
• 27 dump trucks equipped with plows to plow and salt roadways
• 10 Front-end loaders to move snow piles  

• 3+ tons of deicer
• 300+ gallons of ice-breaker brine
• 1 Kubota utility vehicle equipped with plow and deicer spreader
• 3 walk-behind snow blowers 

• Always wear seatbelts
• Allow extra travel time
• Remain alert for plow crews and emergency vehicles
• Maintain a safe distance behind plow and salt vehicles
• Prepare your vehicle- top off fluid levels, including gas and windshield washer fluid; and clear all snow and ice from your windshield and roof before taking to the road

One of the ways drivers can help is by letting the trucks plowing and salting the roads do their job. "We ask motorists to stay clear of trucks that are removing snow and spreading salt," says Williams. "Drivers should maintain a safe distance behind the trucks during those operations."

In addition to treating road surfaces, the DRPA also adjusts speed limits on the bridges as needed to ensure driver safety.   

Up-to-date travel information is available on www.drpa.org or by following us on Twitter at @DRPA_PAandNJ.