A bridge dating back to the early 20th century could shutter for good.
The 120-year-old Washington Crossing Bridge connects Mercer County, New Jersey, with Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It is the narrowest vehicle crossing between the two states. After more than a century of toll-free use, the bridge faces an uncertain future.
According to the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, the Washington Crossing Bridge is flawed, littered with an array of safety concerns and structural issues.
The video was published as part of the Washington Crossing Bridge Alternatives Analysis, which launched in August 2024 as part of the National Environmental Policy Act process.
“The bridge has deficiencies with respect to operations, safety, and long-term reliability,” the video states. The last round of structural repairs was completed in 2010. Many of the bridge’s outdated features mean the next rehabilitation—needed soon—will cost millions of dollars. “Structurally, the bridge is an Industrial Age relic,” the commission said.
Storms and flooding could cause serious and irreversible damage to the bridge.
The Washington Crossing Bridge was constructed under private ownership in 1905, and those wishing to cross were required to pay a toll. In 1922, it shifted to public ownership and has served the community toll-free ever since.
The narrow lanes and outdated hardware reflect a design that predates mass automobile use. The commission must now determine whether toll revenue from its eight other bridges should fund renovation efforts.
If not, the Washington Crossing Bridge could be retired altogether.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.