January 27, 2010

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

EASTON, PA - The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission announced today that the toll plaza at the I-78 Toll Bridge will be reduced from the currently opened four lanes to three lanes from 8 p.m. Thursday night to 5 a.m. Friday. Additionally the left hand shoulder of the eastbound travel lanes in the vicinity of the toll plaza will be closed during this time

The additional lane closure and eastbound shoulder closing is necessary to accommodate contractors that will be lifting and installing a nearly 11-ton space frame canopy over the two left hand lanes of the toll plaza. Beginning at approximately 9 p.m., the space frame canopy will be lifted by a crane and welded onto support columns that were installed by construction crews last week.

"This is another significant project milestone," said Frank G. McCartney, the Commission's Executive Director. "This is a very challenging project and it is gratifying to reach this juncture within three weeks of the start of construction activities."

The space frame -- made of galvanized steel and weighing 21,700 pounds -- measures 52'-6" wide by 75' long and 5' deep. A 120-ton DEMAG AC100-L crane will lift the frame into place, deploying 124.7 feet of boom for the lift.

Following the installation of lightning protection measures on the canopy, another contractor will begin the installation of open road tolling technology on the space frame canopy. This will include E-ZPass tag readers, antennas and cameras for enforcing toll violations. Moving forward, additional sporadic lane closures may be necessary for installation of sign structures and other construction activities, however they would be scheduled at off-peak travel times like the dramatic space frame lifting.

Once installed, Express E-ZPass/ORT will allow E-ZPass-equipped motorists to pay tolls electronically while driving at highway speeds. The goal of the Express E-ZPass/ORT project is to improve traffic capacity, operations and safety at the toll plaza. Once in place and fully tested and calibrated, the electronic-toll-collection upgrade will reduce delays and traffic backups. Express E-ZPass lanes can reduce traffic congestion by processing up to 1800 cars per hour per lane as compared to 360 cars per hour per lane by manual toll collection.

The I-78 Bridge serves as a critical link between Newark, N.J. and Harrisburg, Pa. and is heavily used by long-haul truckers going to and from the Newark/Elizabeth ports region. The bridge has the highest traffic volumes of any of the seven toll bridges in the Commission's 20-bridge system. On average, more than 27,000 vehicles passed through the toll plaza each day in 2008.

The proposed toll plaza enhancements will result in two Express E-ZPass lanes and four mixed-mode toll lanes (cash & E-ZPass) at the plaza. All lanes will be able to process car and truck transactions. Express E-ZPass lanes will be for through-traffic only. Motorists planning to use Exit 75 to Easton or the Welcome Center will be directed to the mixed-mode toll lanes.

The work on the Express E-ZPass lanes remains on schedule for completion in time for the Memorial Day weekend.

To reap the benefits of the system upgrades, the Commission is urging motorists to get E-ZPass accounts by going to www.ezpassdrjtbc.com or calling1-800-872-5061.

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.