Delaware River Bridge Project: Improving Regional Mobility and Designing Infrastructure for the Future

Quick Summary

• The Delaware River Bridge Project will replace the 1950s-era I-95 bridge between Pennsylvania and New Jersey with a new structure designed to last 100 years.

• The PA Turnpike and New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) have recommended the North Partial Impact (NPI) Alternative as the safest, least disruptive and most cost-effective option.

• In early 2026, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $600 million in federal funding, and tolls are not being raised specifically to fund the replacement.

• Current designs identify 13 residential properties that may require acquisition, a figure that will be refined as engineering advances.

• The project is in the planning and environmental review phase under FHWA's NEPA process, with a Draft Supplemental EIS due before the Winter 2026/2027 public hearings.

For more than 85 years, the Pennsylvania Turnpike has been one of the most critical transportation assets in the Commonwealth. Every day, it moves hundreds of thousands of customers, connects businesses to markets, supports interstate commerce and serves as a vital link in the nation's transportation network.

Infrastructure like the Delaware River Bridge is a vital economic link between two states, enhancing reliability for commuters, emergency responders and freight traveling the Interstate 95 corridor and the Mid-Atlantic region. As traffic grows and infrastructure ages, investing in the Delaware River Bridge preserves regional mobility, safety and economic competitiveness for future generations.

At the same time, we recognize that the Pennsylvania Turnpike is more than infrastructure. While the Delaware River Bridge connects Pennsylvania and New Jersey, our connection to Bristol Township extends well beyond the roadway. That is reflected through the relationships we've developed over decades. Several colleagues live in the township, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) contracts with several companies within the Township for emergency response and roadside assistance along this section of the roadway, including Row’s Towing and the Edgely Fire Department. The PA Turnpike also continues to support the local municipalities by studying the changes in traffic patterns at the limits of the PA Turnpike/I-95 Interchange project in Bristol and Bensalem Townships.

Why This Project Matters

Major infrastructure, including the Delaware River Bridge, has a finite service life.

Built in the 1950s, the bridge was designed for lighter vehicles, lower traffic volumes and different travel patterns than those that exist today. The design of the new Delaware River Bridge will provide for a 100-year service life, representing a long-term investment in infrastructure that addresses the bridge’s age, need for increased capacity and enhanced safety requirements through modern bridge standards for the tens of thousands of commuters, travelers and commercial customers that rely on it daily. And importantly, the bridge carries Interstate 95 between the two states.

In early 2026, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $600 million in federal grant funding to go toward the replacement of the Delaware River Bridge. The remaining cost for the project will be split between both agencies and funded through the PA Turnpike and New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA)’s long-range capital investment programs. Tolls are not being increased specifically to fund this bridge replacement.

Where We Are in the Process

The project remains in the planning and environmental evaluation phase. The PA Turnpike and NJTA is studying multiple alternatives, evaluated potential bridge types and alignments and announced the North Partial Impact (NPI) Alternative as our recommended preferred alternative. It was recommended because it is the safest, least disruptive and most cost-effective solution.

While we believe the NPI alternative best balances engineering, environmental, community and transportation considerations, the PA Turnpike and NJTA will continue to study the second northern alternative, the North Staged Alternate (NSA) Alternative, to the same level of detail throughout the evaluation process as part of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. The PA Turnpike and NJTA will continue to gather input and FHWA will ultimately issue a Record of Decision (ROD) indicating a selected alternative.

Addressing Community Questions and Rumors 

Projects of this size naturally generate questions, particularly when they involve nearby homes, businesses and neighborhoods. At recent public meetings, the community shared concerns about property acquisition, construction impacts and the overall project timeline. Those conversations have helped shape the project and the Commission's communication efforts.

A common concern centered on potential property acquisition. The current evaluation of the PA Turnpike and NJTA's recommended North Partial Impact (NPI) Alternative identifies the potential acquisition of 13 residential properties, far less than the rumored impact. That figure is based on the project's current level of design and will continue to be refined as engineering progresses. Our goal remains the same as it has been throughout the study: minimize impacts wherever possible while meeting the transportation needs of this critical corridor.

We also understand that for potentially affected property owners, this conversation is deeply personal. That's why the PA Turnpike's right of way process emphasizes early communication, fair market value appraisals and direct discussions with property owners while providing as much time and support as possible. The overwhelming majority of property acquisitions across the Pennsylvania Turnpike are resolved amicably because our focus is working directly with property owners.

Others asked why the PA Turnpike and NJTA identified the North Partial Impact (NPI) Alternative as their recommended preferred alternative.

After evaluating multiple options, the project team found this alternative provides the safest, least disruptive and most cost-effective approach. It allows a new bridge to be constructed separately from the existing structure and completed in nearly half the time of the other northern alternative. This reduces impacts on nearby residents, businesses, traffic, river navigation, environmental resources and Amtrak operations while enhancing safety for construction workers and the traveling public.

Another concern was construction impacts. While the project is still in its early stages, the PA Turnpike and NJTA are actively evaluating potential areas that may be needed for contractor access and construction activities, along with a range of construction techniques. As planning progresses, we will continue to assess construction-related impacts with a focus on minimizing effects to nearby properties and the surrounding community wherever possible.

A complete Q&A from the most recent Virtual Public Meeting held on June 9, 2026 can be found on the Delaware River Bridge Project Page: Engagement page.

Moving Forward

Public engagement is a vital, ongoing part of the project. As the Delaware River Bridge Project advances, there will be additional opportunities for residents, property owners, businesses and community organizations to learn more, ask questions and provide feedback.

The project is still in the early phases, and the decision is far from final. Both agencies will continue to study both northern alternatives (NPI and NSA) and collect data. Information obtained during those studies will be included and shared as part of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS), which will be available prior to the Winter 2026/2027 public hearings. Public hearings will provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to provide formal comments on the project.

For more information, to provide public feedback or to sign up for future project notifications, please visit DelawareRiverTurnpikeBridge.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Delaware River Bridge Project?

The Delaware River Bridge Project will replace the I-95 bridge connecting Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Built in the 1950s, the current bridge was designed for lighter vehicles and lower traffic volumes. The new structure is being designed to last 100 years and to meet modern safety and capacity standards for the tens of thousands of commuters, travelers and commercial customers who rely on it daily.;

Which alternative have the PA Turnpike and NJTA recommended?

The agencies'preferred recommended alternative is the North Partial Impact (NPI) Alternative as the safest, least disruptive and most cost-effective solution. It allows a new bridge to be built separately from the existing structure and completed in nearly half the time of the other northern alternative. The North Staged Alternate (NSA) Alternative will continue to be studied throughout the FHWA NEPA process. FHWA will make the final decision.

How many properties will be affected?

The current evaluation of the recommended NPI Alternative identifies 13 residential properties that may require acquisition, far fewer than rumored. That figure reflects the current level of design and will continue to be refined as engineering progresses. The right-of-way process emphasizes early communication, fair market value appraisals and direct discussions with property owners.

How is the project funded, and will tolls increase?

In early 2026, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $600 million in federal funding toward the project. The remaining cost is split between the PA Turnpike and NJTA and funded through their long-range capital investment programs. Tolls are not being increased specifically to fund this bridge replacement.

What is the project timeline?

The project remains in the planning and environmental evaluation phase. Both agencies will continue to study the northern alternatives and collect data, which will be shared in a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) available before the Winter 2026/2027 public hearings. FHWA will ultimately issue a Record of Decision indicating the final alignment.