Tacony-Palmyra Bridge Reopens After Lengthy Closure
By Steve Beck
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Tacony-Palmyra Bridge was closed for nearly 11 hours Thursday after a malfunction caused the bridge to remain open following an opening to let a ship pass through.
The bridge was shut down at about 12:45 a.m. Thursday after the bridge remained in the open position following an opening for a ship.
At about 10 a.m., the bridge was lowered and shortly before noon, the bridge was fully reopened to car traffic. However, the bridge remains closed for pedestrians.
The closure of the bridge created a traffic nightmare for morning commuters. Motorists were forced to use the Betsy Ross Bridge, the Burlington-Bristol Bridge or other alternates.
A representative with the Burlington County Bridge Commission, which maintains the bridge, said it appears preliminary that a roller under the maintenance walkway (which has to slide when the bridge opens) seized, causing the plate to jam, which in turn caused the bridge to stop moving.
The plates were removed from the bridge and replaced with temporary covers. By early next week, permanent plates will be reinstalled.
There was no damage to the bridge.
The Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, which is 84-years-old, spans the Delaware Rivers and connects Northeast Philadelphia to South Jersey. Approximately 70,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day.
