Press Releases
News - Archive
Released: 12/12/2016
Walt Whitman Bridge to Close for 20 Minute Intervals between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. on December 13
Nightly periodic closures are needed for a roadway shield removal.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Walt Whitman Bridge will close to traffic for 20 minute intervals between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. on the night of Tuesday, Dec. 13. The periodic closures are necessary to allow construction crews to remove the temporary roadway shield around the bridge’s New Jersey tower. The shield was in place to protect vehicles from overhead work during the painting of the bridge’s tower.
The periodic 20 minute closures will occur:
• Tuesday, December 13 between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Wednesday
In between each closure, the bridge will reopen to allow stopped traffic to cross.
Recommended alternate routes:
• Ben Franklin Bridge
• Commodore Barry Bridge
Motorists are strongly advised to use the Ben Franklin Bridge or Commodore Barry Bridge during these times. Variable message signs across the region will advise motorists about the closures and delays. In case of inclement weather, the work will be postponed and rescheduled.
The Walt Whitman Bridge painting project began earlier this year. The $56.6 million project consists of blast cleaning and painting the bridge suspension spans; interior and exterior of the towers, girders and diaphragms supporting the anchorage decks; and painting the main cables and suspender ropes. The work also includes performing structural repairs of various bridge components. The bridge was last painted in 1992.
In addition to the painting project, the bridge is receiving $7.7 million worth of improvements to its toll plaza, roadways and ramps.
[ Return to List ]