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Released: 1/22/2016 

DRPA and PATCO Prepare for Weekend Winter Weather

Bridges and PATCO Rail line ready for expected blizzard conditions

CAMDEN, NJ - The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) announced today that it is prepared to facilitate traffic between Pennsylvania and New Jersey during the upcoming severe winter weather. The Authority is responsible for four Delaware River bridges (the Betsy Ross, Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, and Commodore Barry) and their approach roads, as well as the 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.

“PATCO personnel have already begun preparing the train line, stations and associated facilities for this weekend’s winter storm,” said PATCO GM John Rink. “We’ve already begun salting and brining our parking lots, staff will be on-hand and snow removal equipment is primed and ready for use. We have also prepared our “Ice train” which will deposit de-icing fluid on our third rail. We will continue to run at our scheduled 25 and 30 minute headways throughout the weekend, but are preparing adjustments to the departure times because of the need to run at slower speeds. On Monday, January 25, PATCO will run a snow schedule with 10 minute headways during the morning and evening rush hours. For up to date schedule information, please visit our website at www.ridepatco.org or follow us on Twitter at @RidePATCO.

DRPA crews and equipment are also in place and prepared to ensure that our four bridges are safe and passable. The Authority is prepared to deploy nearly 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 to plow and salt roadways and 10 front-end loaders to move snow piles. In addition to treating road surfaces, the DRPA also adjusts speed limits on the bridges as needed to ensure driver safety.  

DRPA reminds motorists to:

  • 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


"We take our responsibility to keep traffic safely moving throughout the region, very seriously," said DRPA CEO, John Hanson. "Given the current forecast, our teams - which serve both PATCO and our four bridges – stand ready to work around the clock if necessary to ensure the safety of our PATCO riders and bridge commuters. In anticipation of this weekend’s expected winter storm, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has announced a state of emergency and the State of New Jersey is in preparedness mode. We encourage travelers to stay up to date on travel advisories throughout the region and to visit our websites at www.drpa.org and www.ridepatco.org, for the most current information.

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