A replacement for a 70-year-old Delaware River Bridge that links Pennsylvania and New Jersey Turnpikes in Levittown has been recommended as a safer design that will be less disruptive to nearby property owners, officials said recently.
Public meetings were held recently about the $1.6 billion twin bridges to replace the four-lane bridge that carries 70,000 vehicles a day.
A virtual, on-demand public hearing is now available online and will be open for viewing and comments until July 24
The proposed bridges would replace the existing span that was closed for several months in 2017 after cracks were found in a piece of steel and repaired.
Known as the “North Partial Impact” or NPI alternative, that concept was recommended over the second northern alternative, North Staged Alternative because it can be built cheaper, faster and requires buying fewer properties for the project, officials said.
Credit: Submitted
The project consists of two new approach structures, three lanes each which will be built with 15 feet between each structure. Those approaches taper into one six-lane tied arch bridge over the Delaware River.
That project, officials say, would be constructed approximately 195 feet north of the existing bridge centerline. Total construction time for the project would take approximately five years. After that bridge is completed, the old bridge will be demolished.
John Boyer project manager said the proposed bridge is a different design and appearance, using a steel tied arch design instead of two types of twin cable stayed bridges talked about in earlier public hearings.
The steel tied arch design was selected because it costs less and has a shorter construction time, Boyer said.
The bridge piers can be built at the same time as the main arch bridge structure is built offsite, he said.
Bristol Township officials have encouraged residents, to submit comments on the project especially those living in the Edgely section of the Township. The comment period is open through July 24, 2026.
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