February 25, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Pete Peterson (215) 893-4297 or Kim Maialetti (215) 893-4279

MORRISVILLE, PA - The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission today received a presentation on the 2007 Annual Inspection Report by its General Engineering Consultant and approved a $150.7 million budget for capital improvement projects for 2008.

The annual inspection report, conducted by the engineering firm TranSystems / Lichtenstein, contains the findings of the 2007 inspections of the Commission's toll bridges, as well as additional inspections of some select toll-supported bridges. The report highlighted some ongoing capital improvement needs of the Commission, reinforcing the need for the Commission's comprehensive capital improvement program.

"The Commission is continuing to make significant investments in our infrastructure to ensure safe and efficient travel for New Jersey and Pennsylvania residents across the Delaware River," said Frank McCartney, Executive Director of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. "By the year 2015, the Commission will have conducted rehabilitation or other significant improvement efforts on each of our twenty Delaware River crossings, improving safety, reducing congestion, and extending the life of these bridge structures. We take our commitment and responsibility to the travelling public very seriously."

The Commission's capital improvement program, launched in 2001, is projected to invest more than $950 million in capital improvements between now and the year 2015. The 2008 capital budget, which was approved today by the Commission, serves as a guideline for capital projects in the coming year. Each individual project is approved separately by the Commission through its approval of construction and engineering contract awards.

Highlights of the Commission's projected capital expenditures for 2008 include:

• $32 million for Trenton - Morrisville (Route 1) Toll Bridge Rehabilitation + One Auxiliary NB Lane (Total project cost estimated at $102.5 million);
• $30.4 million for ongoing improvements to the Open Road Tolling (ORT) on the I-78 Toll Bridge ($43.3 million estimated total cost) and I-78 Roadway Rehabilitation ($44.6 million estimated total cost).
• $14 million for the Milford - Montague Toll Bridge Rehabilitation ($18.5 million total estimated cost);
• $12.7 million for the Electronic Surveillance/Detection System (ESS) ($26.2 million estimated total cost); and
• $11.9 million for ongoing engineering and design work related to the Scudder Falls (I-95) Bridge Improvement Project (Total projected cost of $254.2 million)
• $27.5 million for Compact Authorized Investments (Total projected Cost $40 million)

About the Commission

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, formed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and state of New Jersey in 1934, operates seven toll and 11 vehicular and two pedestrian toll-supported (free) bridges along the Delaware River from Trenton-Morrisville to the New York border. These bridges carry more than 135 million cars and trucks each year. 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.

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