Kathy Liebler                         Director of Public Information

    C   O   M   M   I   S   S   I   O   N                N   E   W   S             R   E   L   E   A   S   E

    Contact: Christina M. Hampton, (610) 279-1645                         May 15, 1998

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON PENNSYLVANIA & NEW JERSEY TURNPIKES'
DELAWARE RIVER BRIDGE

PHILADELPHIA, PA - - Beginning Monday evening, May 18th the Pennsylvania Turnpike will start construction on the Delaware River Bridge, which crosses the Delaware River connecting the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Turnpikes.

The six month, $4.7 million project is the first phase of a three-phase project that will ultimately result in the redecking of the entire section of the bridge maintained by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

"The Delaware River Bridge is a critical highway link vital to the economies of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is committed to providing the millions of drivers who use it a smooth, safe and structually sound connection," said Turnpike Executive Director John T. Durbin.

Construction will include the redecking of approximately one-third of the Pennsylvania portion of the bridge, the removal of existing median barrier and the construction of new barrier, and patching on the portion of the bridge not being redecked this year. Work is expected to be completed by November 20.

During construction, the Turnpike will maintain two lanes of traffic both east and westbound during peak traffic hours, and on holidays. However, there will be single lane restrictions evenings between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

The Delaware River Bridge is the longest bridge on the Pennsylvania Turnpike spanning 6,571 feet over and towering 160 feet above the Delaware River. It was built in 1956 at a cost of $15 million.

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