The Washington Crossing Bridge over the Delaware River is facing more challenges than just car traffic, as another government is now joining the fight against a proposal to replace the 120-year-old bridge.
Wrightstown Township officials have recently teamed up with Upper Makefield Township to oppose the removal of the narrow, two-lane bridge that connects Upper Makefield Township with Hopewell N.J. The steel bridge is owned and operated by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, which wants to replace it citing numerous minor accidents and failure to meet new standards.
The resolution – with strong wording that a new bridge would ruin Washington Crossing’s appeal — will be duplicated and sent to Newtown Township and Upper Makefield Township officials, as well as to the Bridge Commission, and county, state and federal authorities, according to Wrightstown officials.
The action taken by Wrightstown follows Upper Makefield’s statements of both opposition and a desire to have the bridge officially recognized as “historic,” protecting it from changes. Wrightstown’s resolution stated that replacing the bridge “isn’t a good idea” and a wider, busier bridge would cause irreparable harm to the small village of Washington Crossing.
“Expanding the bridge will significantly increase traffic, putting pedestrians in the village at risk,” according to Wrightstown’s resolution. “Allowing trucks on the bridge will not only endanger pedestrians, but also bring noise and pollution to the village. The safety and peacefulness of Washington Crossing would be lost with a wider, modern bridge.”
Wrightstown officials also suggested that instead of replacing the bridge, it should be turned into a one-way bridge with a traffic signal at each end to alternate vehicle flow.
