Stabilization of Delaware River Turnpike Bridge Under Way

Stabilization of Delaware River Turnpike Bridge Under Way

1/21/2017-HARRISBURG

The PA Turnpike Commission and New Jersey Turnpike Authority's preliminary
evaluation of a fracture discovered yesterday on the bridge that carries
Interstate 276 over the Delaware River has determined the need for a
continued
closure. Construction work is now under way to stabilize the bridge while
engineers engage in a more comprehensive assessment and structural analysis

necessary to determine a permanent repair plan.

The stabilization work, expected to be wrapped up sometime this weekend,
involves adding new plates to reconnect the fractured truss piece to
prevent
further movement. The fractured truss is below the riding surface on the
Pennsylvania side of the bridge in the westbound right lane. A sample of
the
fractured truss has been taken for forensic analysis to help determine the
cause of the fracture.

During this time, a comprehensive bridge analysis will be performed to
better
understand the global impact the fracture has had on the entire bridge;
information gathered is critical to determine the scope of and strategy for
a
permanent repair and reopening the bridge to traffic. The bridge will be
under
constant watch and monitored around the clock utilizing a high definition
video
survey.

"This was a unique and complete fracture which may have happened quickly
due to
changing weather conditions," explained PA Turnpike Chairman Sean Logan.
"We
are stabilizing the bridge now to prevent further movement. However, out of
an
abundance of caution and to protect traveler safety, the bridge must remain

closed until a full-scale analysis and repair plan have been completed."

The PA Turnpike Commission (PTC) and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority
(NJTA),
which jointly own and maintain the bridge, agree that the bridge will
remain
closed while the assessment continues. This assessment will take about two
weeks before timeline for the permanent repair can be determined. Until
more is
understood about the damage, it is not possible to estimate how many days
or
weeks the bridge will need to be closed while the permanent fix is made.

The PTC and NJTA will update the public on the project's progress within
the
next 48 hours.

"Due to the significant fracture, stresses have been redistributed to other

parts of the bridge," said PA Turnpike Chief Engineer Brad Heigel. "We
regret
the inconvenience of closing the bridge, however, it is necessary to
properly
evaluate the bridge's current condition and determine next steps to ensure
the
safety to our customers."

The fracture, which was discovered on the Pennsylvania side of the bridge
yesterday afternoon, was noticed during a routine check of a
bridge-painting
project by NJTA resident engineer examining the 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 to repaint the
entire
bridge, which carries more than 42,000 vehicles per day, combined eastbound
and
westbound traffic.

The 1.2-mile-long bridge opened to traffic on May 23, 1956.

DETOUR INFORMATION
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.

NOTE: File photos of the Delaware River Bridge and the fracture are
available
for download at this link:
https://www.paturnpike.com/yourTurnpike/multimedia_presentations.aspx

###

PA Turnpike Media Contact: Carl DeFebo, 717-645-2265 (mobile)



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