​Beam Installation To Impact Traffic Flow At Washington Crossing Bridge

WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA — Periodic traffic stoppages are scheduled in both directions at the Washington Crossing Toll-Supported Bridge overnight from Monday, July 28, into Tuesday morning, July 29.

Motorists may encounter delays of up to 15 minutes in duration from just before midnight on Monday to 4 a.m. on Tuesday. (Note: traffic volumes at the bridge are extremely low during overnight hours.)

The travel restriction is needed to allow a commission contractor to install an overhead steel beam across the Pennsylvania approach to the bridge. New posts to support the beam were installed at the location, along with approach sidewalk repairs this past week.

When installed, the beam will be used to display traffic-control and weight-restriction signs, and a suspended yellow “headache bar” to help curtail passage of oversized vehicles at the narrow 120-year-old steel truss bridge.

A prior sign gantry at the location was destroyed as the result of an attempted illegal tractor-trailer crossing in March 2023. The truck became lodged beneath the sign structure, twisting it and damaging its supports down to its anchorages near each side of the bridge’s Pennsylvania abutment. An adjoining section of the bridge’s approach sidewalk also was damaged in that incident.

The upcoming overnight travel restriction is subject to change due to weather, emergencies, traffic, and equipment and materials mobilization. Motorists are urged to allow extra time to reach their destinations, reduce speeds, and exercise caution when traveling through the project work areas.