March 03, 2017
The Delaware River-Turnpike Toll Bridge, which closed last month after a cracked truss was found, is on schedule to reopen next month, the Associated Press reported Friday.
Good weather has helped keep on track the repairs of the bridge that connects the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276) and the New Jersey Turnpike, a Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission official told the AP.
Officials, who said they don't believe the bridge needs to be reconstructed or replaced, expect reopening in early April.
The bridge was shut down immediately on January 20 in both directions after officials found a fracture in a steel truss on the bridge.
The turnpike commission provided an update on the repairs on its website Friday.
"Crews began using post-tensioning devices this week to bring the damaged truss back into alignment," the website said. "Once that is completed, the permanent splice will be installed. Over the next few weeks crews will perform any other minor repairs needed on the truss, and load testing and evaluations will be performed to see how the repaired bridge responds."
Until the bridge is reopened, commuters can find alternate travel routes on the turnpike's website here.
