Contact: Joe Donnelly (215) 862-7693 or Pete Peterson (215) 893-4297

NEW HOPE, PA - The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission today approved the award of $1.5 million in grants to help fund needed transportation-related improvements in six river communities.

The New Jersey communities of Lambertville and West Amwell, along with the Pennsylvania communities of Solebury and Delaware Water Gap will receive funds under the Commission's $40 million grant program aimed at easing congestion and improving traffic conditions in and around its bridges. The Commission also approved a request by Morrisville Borough to reallocate some previously received grant funds.

"Since 2005, the Commission's transportation grant program has funded transportation-related improvement projects in 32 municipalities up and down the river," said Frank McCartney, executive director of the Commission. "These projects are helping to reduce congestion on local roadways and improve safety for drivers and pedestrians. In numerous instances, these grants have enabled local communities to move forward with a wide variety of needed transportation projects that they could not have afforded to do on their own."

Grant funding was awarded for the following projects:

Lambertville - The Commission awarded the City of Lambertville, NJ $644,200 in funding - in the form of two grants in the amount of $497,200 and $147,000 for the design, reconstruction, and improvements of Delevan Street and McCready's Alley, respectively. The Delevan Street Roadway Reconstruction Project includes the reconstruction and resurfacing of 1,200 linear feet of roadway, as well as curb and sidewalk replacement. The limits of the project are from North Franklin Street to the Delaware and Raritan Canal. The McCready's Alley Roadway Reconstruction Project involves the resurfacing and reconstruction of 350 linear feet of roadway from Church Street to Route 179 (Bridge Street).

West Amwell - The Commission approved a $100,000 grant to West Amwell, NJ for the design and reconstruction of 900 linear feet of Rocktown Hill Road at the intersection of Route 31. Work to be performed will include the installation of storm-drainage pipes, inlets, ditch excavation and grading.

Solebury - The Commission awarded Solebury Township, PA a grant in the amount of $660,000 to replace a deteriorated, undersized bridge on Walton Drive. Solebury has determined that, without remedial action, the bridge will undergo further deterioration, requiring the closure of the bridge and cutting off access to 24 residential properties. This would cut off the properties' accessibility to the Solebury road network and prevent emergency vehicles from having access to the properties.

Delaware Water Gap - Delaware Water Gap Borough, PA was awarded a $130,000 grant for the installation of a traffic light on Route 61 (Foxtown Hill Road) at the intersection of Martz Trailways Terminal. The traffic signal will address increased traffic issues and pedestrian safety concerns related to the establishment of a new bus station and parking lot in the vicinity.

About the Commission

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission was formed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New Jersey in 1934. It operates seven toll bridges and 13 toll-supported bridges, two of which are pedestrian-only spans. The Commission's jurisdiction extends along the Delaware River from the Philadelphia-Bucks County line north to the New Jersey/New York border. The bridges carried more than 140 million cars and trucks in 2008. For more information about the Commission and its various initiatives to deliver safer and more convenient bridge travel for its customers, please see: www.drjtbc.org.