LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. – The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission today announced that the New Hope-Lambertville Toll-Supported Bridge Rehabilitation Project’s contractor is planning to reopen the bridge to two-way traffic sometime on Friday afternoon, Feb. 14.
The contractor – Anselmi & DeCicco, Inc. – has had the bridge closed to NJ-bound traffic for slightly over a year. The uninterrupted around-the-clock detour allowed for a comprehensive rehabilitation of the 120-year-old bridge. The travel restriction had to be extended into 2025 due to an unanticipated discovery of a deteriorated structural connection last August. That structural connection was replaced in mid-January during a 10-day-long full-bridge shutdown.
In recent weeks, work crews have completed various project tasks directly or indirectly delayed by the structural connection issue. The project contractor and its subcontractors subsequently have begun demobilizing equipment and materials around the bridge, putting it in position for a reopening in time for Valentine’s Day evening dinners and the three-day President’s Day holiday weekend.
Alternating single-lane travel weekdays
The resumption of two-way traffic, however, does not mean the rehabilitation project is completed. Nor does it mean that all travel restrictions are over.
Starting Tuesday, Feb. 18, off-peak alternating single-lane travel restrictions will be utilized from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays so work crews can complete remaining project tasks. The alternating single-lane restriction is to be restricted to one bridge span at a time – the bridge has six truss spans – and controlled by flaggers posted by a sub-contracted traffic-control service.
Alternating single-travel lane restrictions are expected to continue for up to three weeks. During this period, project personnel will remove temporary construction platform/debris containment from beneath the bridge, complete architectural lighting installation, make lighting system adjustments, and apply touch-up paint where needed.
“Punch-list” work is then expected to follow, including further testing, calibrating, and programming of the bridge’s architectural lighting system. All project work is on track to be completed in the spring.
More information on the bridge lighting system – including the establishment of a specific information webpage – will be announced in coming weeks. The Commission also plans to hold a ceremony in the spring to formally rededicate the rehabilitated bridge.
