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Lane Closures on Ben Franklin Bridge Will Persist Thru August

By Mike DeNardo

CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) -- The morning drive into Philadelphia on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge got even slower this week. And lane closures on the bridge are going to continue all summer long.

This morning, only three westbound lanes were open the length of the span. So, traffic reporter Sam Clover had a familiar refrain:

"Now we're jammed, Ben Franklin Bridge, from approaching the tolls to the downside. Only three lanes into Philadelphia, with construction," he could be heard saying on KYW Newsradio.

The Delaware River Port Authority, which operates the Ben, says the righthand westbound lane will remain closed around the clock until September 5th, as part of the two-year, $103-million Patco track rebuilding project.

There will be varying additional off-peak lane closures as crews work on the tracks on the north side of the bridge.  In the meantime, summer drivers will have to endure the squeeze.

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