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March 20, 2008

LOAD TESTING ON NEW HOPE-LAMBERTVILLE (ROUTE 202) TOLL BRIDGE TO COMMENCE IN APRIL  Data will determine type of required bridge repairs, length of outer lane closures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

MORRISVILLE, PA - The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission announced today that engineering consultants will commence load and strain testing on the New Hope-Lambertville (Route 202) Toll Bridge in early April. The results of the testing will enable the Commission to determine the extent and time frame of repairs required to reopen the outer lanes of the bridge.

The outer lanes of the bridge were closed in November 2007 after a routine inspection indicated there was some damage to the cantilever brackets that help support the outer lanes of the bridge. As a precautionary measure, the Commission closed the outer lanes pending further inspection and analysis. The inner lanes remain open and travel on those lanes has no impact on the cantilever brackets. The load and strain testing, however, may necessitate temporary lane closures, the timing and need for which will be determined in April.

"Once the results of the load and strain testing are complete, we will have a more definitive action plan in terms of the rehabilitation work that needs to be performed," said Frank McCartney, the Commission's Executive Director. "The Commission is simply exercising an abundance of caution in closing the outer lanes and there are no safety concerns related to daily travel on the inner lanes of the bridge."

The earliest the outer lanes of the bridge could be reopened is July 1^st. If analysis of the load and strain testing indicates that a more extensive retrofit is necessary, the lanes could remain closed until early 2009. The Commission does not expect any impact on traffic, as the remaining lanes on the bridge are sufficient adequate to handle projected traffic volumes.

The four-lane New Hope-Lambertville Toll Bridge was opened to traffic on July 22, 1971 and carries U.S. Route 202 over the Delaware River between Lambertville and New Hope. The bridge is a 1,682 foot, 10-span steel girder and concrete deck structure. The average daily traffic count on the bridge is 9,700 vehicles.

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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