The full reopening of the New Hope-Lambertville Toll-Supported Bridge will be delayed due to an “unforeseen structural condition.”
Since early this year, the span connecting New Hope Borough and City of Lambertville has been undergoing an extensive rehabilitation project.
While the bridge was expected to reopen both lanes of traffic and a new pedestrian crossing in the coming weeks, it will now see continued travel restrictions into early 2025 due to a newly discovered structural flaw, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission said in a statement.
The problematic area involves a rusted and worn 4-inch-diameter steel pin within the bridge’s second truss span, a critical joint supporting multiple structural members.
According to the commission, the problem was hidden by other steel components, and the issue came to light during sandblasting activities linked to the current rehabilitation efforts.
Ultrasonic testing confirmed the severity of the pin’s deterioration, while other similar components have been tested and found to be sound, the commission said.
“We understand the importance this bridge has to New Hope and Lambertville, and we are committed to resolving this issue as quickly and safely as possible,” said Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission Executive Director Joe Resta. “The public’s safety and the bridge’s structural integrity are top priorities.”
The 120-year-old bridge has been subject to a New Jersey-bound traffic detour and pedestrian access limitations since January.
The deal with the problem, the commission is implementing a two-step repair strategy.
A custom friction-collar system will be installed around Thanksgiving to stabilize the compromised joint temporarily, and the installation is expected to allow continued limited use of the bridge without additional traffic disruptions.
A full closure of the bridge to both vehicles and pedestrians is scheduled for two nights in early to mid-December to activate the system, which will enable the reopening of the bridge’s new permanent pedestrian walkway and upstream traffic lane.
Comprehensive repairs, including the replacement of the steel pin and associated structural parts, are slated for early 2025, which will require a two-week complete shutdown, officials said.
“As an additional safety measure, the Commission has been strictly enforcing the bridge’s four-ton vehicle weight limit through September at the bridge’s Lambertville approach. This stepped-up enforcement measure will continue through the fall. The critical pin-joint also has been outfitted with strain gauges to monitor stresses in the connection with the corroded pin,” the commission said in a statement.
Officials said they will be mindful of the holiday season when planning the temporary closure.
The bridge rehabilitation project has involved replacing the fiberglass panels of the walkway, cleaning and repainting the steel-truss superstructure, and repairing or replacing any deteriorated steel components. Additionally, the project will upgrade both roadway and walkway lighting to energy-efficient LED lights, which will feature a programmable, color-changing LED lighting system designed to highlight the bridge’s Pratt-truss architectural profile. The project also has involved updating the electrical wiring and connections and enhancing the bridge’s security measures with the addition of new walkway cameras.
The bridge was built for the second version of the New Hope Delaware Bridge Company, which ran a tolled crossing for a little more than 15 years, including for pedestrians and bicycles.
On December 31, 1919, the regional shareholder-owned bridge corporation agreed to a deal facilitated by the former Joint Commission for Elimination of Toll Bridges that saw it sell the bridge to the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey for $225,000. Three days later, tolls were eliminated. On July 1, 1987, the states transferred ownership of the bridge to the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.
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