philadelphia

The press guy at the Delaware River Port Authority just sent a press release around with the headline "Commodore Barry Bridge cheers for the Union." Was this one in the eye for the Confederates we wondered?

A $128m redecking project on Philadelphia's Walt Whitman Bridge is getting under way. A new lightweight concrete deck will replace an old asphalt-on-steel deck on the old suspension bridge's seven traffic lanes. Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) the bistate (NJ-PA) toller that owns the bridge has the contractor committed to maintaining six of the seven lanes for most of the day weekdays during four years needed for the works.

John Matheussen, CEO of the Delaware River Port Authority which operates four major toll bridges linking the south Jersey suburbs and Philadelphia is confident they can implement highway speed electronic tolling at all four within the next several years. He says design is complete on the first toll plaza conversion at the Betsy Ross Bridge and bids for the construction and system work will be sought soon.

Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) has approved strong toll increases to go into effect next month and in Sept 2010, and cost-of-living or inflation increases on a two-yearly basis thereafter. The board of directors approved the strong toll plan unanimously this morning, despite some public criticism.

The 2008 increase is 33% and the 2010 increase is 25%.