Plans for the new Delaware River Bridge are moving forward

Plans are moving forward for a new bridge over the Delaware River, since officials work to address growing traffic demands and structural concerns with the current span. The bridge will connect New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The project is being jointly managed by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which have narrowed their focus to two potential designs for the bridge replacement.

The existing bridge was built nearly 70 years ago and is struggling to handle the rising number of vehicles. With only two lanes in each direction, it frequently experiences severe congestion during peak hours that results in long delays for drivers. Moreover, structural issues have become a concern after a crack in one of the bridge’s approach trusses that highlighted its deteriorating condition. Traffic has surged in recent years — from 42,000 vehicles per day before the nearby I-95 interchange opened in 2018 to about 67,000 vehicles daily today. The number of vehicles is expected to reach 90,000 per day by 2050 and thus the need for a more modern and stable structure becomes urgent.

Two replacement options are now being evaluated. The first suggests a new bridge, with three lanes in each direction, built roughly 23m north of the existing one, over a four-year period. Once completed, traffic would shift to the new bridge; hence the old structure could be demolished. The second plan proposes constructing a bridge 12m north of the current one in two phases over eight years. The initial half would temporarily carry four narrow lanes while the old bridge is removed, after which the second half would be built, creating a final layout of three lanes in each direction.

Discussions about replacing the aging bridge started three decades ago, with early design concepts introduced in 2003. Earlier plans considered upgrading the existing structure while recent inspections have confirmed that full replacement is now the only viable solution. The final decision between the two proposed options will determine how this critical regional link evolves to meet future transportation needs.