UPDATE: Assessment of Delaware River Turnpike Bridge Continues
Bridge will remain closed through tomorrow at a minimum

Structural engineers from the PA Turnpike Commission and New Jersey Turnpike Authority continue their evaluation of a fracture that was discovered earlier this afternoon on the bridge that carries Interstate 276 over the Delaware River. The fracture was discovered on the Pennsylvania side of the bridge on a steel truss situated below the bridge deck. The bridge remains closed in both directions.

The fracture was noticed during a routine check of a bridge-painting project by an inspector examining painting work on the bridge, the ownership of which is divided between the two toll agencies. The painting contractor was hired by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) to repaint the entire bridge, which carries more than 42,000 vehicles per day, combined eastbound and westbound traffic.

The truss — an important structural component — must be repaired before the bridge can reopen.

“Keeping this bridge closed is the right decision for the safety of both our travelers and workers,” said PA Turnpike Chairman Sean Logan. “The bridge will remain closed through tomorrow, at the very least, and we urge motorists to plan to take an alternate route and expect delays.”

It is still not clear how long the repairs might take. Engineers from both agencies hope to announce an estimated construction duration over the weekend, leaving enough time for motorists to plan for the upcoming work week.

The 1.5-mile-long bridge opened to traffic on May 23, 1956.

NEW DETOUR

PA Turnpike motorists heading east into New Jersey should use this revised alternate route: Exit at the Bensalem Interchange, #351 in Bucks County. Follow U.S. Route 1 north, to I-95 north, to I-295, south, to I-195 east. Take Exit 6 on I-195, and reenter the NJ Turnpike.

Expect slow-moving or stopped traffic in the area, especially during the afternoon and evening hours.

To report an accident or other emergencies on the PA Turnpike, dial *11 on your mobile phone. To learn more about PA Turnpike conditions or to contact us, use one of these resources:

ON THE PA TURNPIKE

• Variable & Digital Message Signs — nearly 100 signs along the Turnpike
• Highway Advisory Radio — 1640 AM (tune-in near interchanges)

BY PHONE

• Turnpike Roadway Information Program (toll-free) — 866-976-TRIP (8747)
• Customer Assistance Center (toll-free) — 800-331-3414 (weekdays, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

ON THE WEB

• TRIPTalk — free, travel-alert smartphone app; download at https://www.paturnpike.com/travel/trip_talk.aspx
• Travel Conditions Map — live, interactive conditions map; view at https://www.paturnpike.com/webmap
• Waze — a crowd-sourced navigation app that provides real-time traffic conditions with input from other drivers; download at https://www.waze.com

NOTE: A PA Turnpike file photo of the Delaware River Bridge is available for download at this link: https://www.paturnpike.com/yourTurnpike/multimedia_presentations.aspx

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