DELAWARE WATER GAP - The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission announced today that drivers may begin to notice early preparations for the planned construction of a new Express E-ZPass/Open Road Tolling (ORT) lane at the Delaware Water Gap (I-80) Toll Bridge. When completed, the project will help to ease some of the traffic congestion issues on the bridge by enabling E-ZPass-equipped motorists to pay their tolls while traveling at highway speeds.

Beginning the week of August 16th, the Commission will put in place electronic variable message boards to make drivers aware of the upcoming construction activities and changes in traffic patterns, as well as other signage related to the project. Construction related traffic impacts will not occur until after Labor Day.

"The Express E-ZPass project will help to alleviate some of the congestion on the Delaware Water Gap Bridge, especially during peak travel periods," said Frank G. McCartney, executive director of the Commission. "This lane will help to process E-ZPass equipped vehicles at normal highway speeds, while also helping to alleviate some of the congestion at the conventional toll plaza."

On Tuesday, September 7th, the Commission will establish a lane shift in the eastbound direction to accommodate construction activities. While the lane shift is expected to have minimal traffic impacts because both lanes will be maintained, drivers may encounter some initial traffic impacts during the transition and implementation of the lane shift.

Beginningas early as Wednesday September 8th, the Commission will implement a long term closure of the first and second toll plaza lanes in the westbound direction. The third and fourth toll plaza lanes will be closed during off-peak hours to accommodate construction activities in those lanes. A one week closure of toll plaza lanes 1, 2, 3, and 4 is expected to begin on our about September 18th to allow for the construction of new foundations. Drivers should plan ahead for delays, especially during peak travel times.

The project calls for the removal of the three left toll plaza booths and replacing them with a single open-road tolling lane. Additionally, the remaining five lanes at the toll plaza will be reconfigured to consist of a new E-ZPass-only lane and four mixed-mode (cash and electronic toll collections) lanes. All lanes would be able to handle both cars and trucks. The modernization project will enable the reconfigured toll plaza to operate more efficiently as an increasing number of drivers use E-ZPass to pay their tolls.

The Commission is working to have the open road tolling lane opened by Thanksgiving 2010. Other project elements - such as repaving - would continue into spring 2011.

The public can learn more about the project by visiting the Commission's Web site at www.drjtbc.org, selecting the menu list under the "Commission Projects" heading, and clicking on the entry marked "Delaware Water Gap (I-80) Toll Bridge ORT/Express E-ZPass Project. The direct address is: www.drjtbc.org/default.aspx?pageid=1539.