DELAWARE WATER GAP - A series of construction projects carried out at the Delaware Water Gap (I-80) Toll Bridge over the past two years have helped reduce traffic congestion problems at the busy river crossing and improved the bridge's appearance and condition, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission announced today.

"Two years ago, traffic snarls at this bridge occurred frequently and for long durations," said Frank G. McCartney, the Bridge Commission's executive director. "Now those kinds of traffic jams are more infrequent and when they do occur, they do not last as long. As a result we are moving commerce more quickly than before. We are moving job commuters more quickly than before. And we are moving travelers and tourists to this region more quickly than before."

Hosting a press availability at the toll bridge's administration building, McCartney teamed with leading officials and business advocates to herald the completion of four successive projects at the toll bridge. Speakers included John Donahue, the superintendent of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area; Chuck Leonard, executive director of the Pocono Mountain Economic Development Corporation; and Staci Barkalow, the chief financial officer of the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau.

"All totaled, the four projects completed at this location in the past two years add up to a $28 million investment in customer service upgrades, structural preservation, repairs and improved traffic flow," said McCartney.

He noted that the last of the four projects -- a multi-faceted rehabilitation of the bridge's superstructure as well as corresponding work on the bridge's approaches -- reached substantial completion in mid-November. The project included bearing and deck joint replacement, cleaning and painting of the superstructure of the bridge, repairs to the bridge substructure, replacement of under-bridge lighting and portions of the bridge drainage system, seal coating of the bridge deck and other elements.

The other projects cited:

• Delaware Water Gap Express E-ZPass/Open Road Tolling
• Electronic Toll-Collection System Enhancement
• Substructure Repair and Scour Remediation

The projects at the Delaware Water Gap (I-80) Toll Bridge were all planned, executed and financed under a $1.2 billion Capital Improvement Program that the Commission initiated in 2001 to improve and expand its network of 20 bridges and related transportation facilities. The costs ultimately are covered by the tolls the Commission collects at its seven toll bridges.