Deck the Walt News

What To Expect During Phase III of Redecking Project:

A multi-month bridge deck renovation project is underway. Motorists should consider using the Commodore Barry Bridge, the Ben Franklin Bridge or PATCO during peak traffic hours.

During the morning (weekday) rush hour, four lanes will be open westbound, and two will be open eastbound. During the evening (weekday) rush hour, three lanes will be open in each direction.

Monday, May 7 through Friday, May 11

Three lanes will be open westbound and two lanes will be open eastbound from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 12

After 7 a.m., three lanes will be open westbound and two lanes will be open eastbound.

Sunday, May 13

After 9 a.m., three lanes will be open westbound and three lanes eastbound.

Monday, May 14 through Friday, May 18

Two lanes will be open westbound and two lanes will be open eastbound from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. One exception: On Tuesday, May 15, a third westbound lane will be open during the day to handle traffic headed for a scheduled afternoon Phillies game.

Saturday, May 19

After 7 a.m., three lanes will be open westbound and two lanes will be open eastbound. Lane Six eastbound will be closed for 24 hours to accommodate a concrete pour. Eastbound traffic will progress through two separate lanes bounded by concrete barriers. Motorists should expect delays and are advised to consider using alternate Delaware River crossings, such as the Commodore Barry or Ben Franklin bridges.

Sunday, May 20
After 9 a.m., three lanes will be open westbound and three lanes will be open eastbound.

Walt Whitman Bridge opened to traffic on May 16, 1957.
The DRPA Board of Commissioners approved two contracts totaling $139,774,286.67 to both redeck the bridge and monitor construction of the project on May 19, 2010.
A $128,085,778.00 construction contract was awarded to the American Bridge Company of Coraopolis, PA
An $11,688,508.67 construction monitoring contract was awarded to the joint venture of Urban Engineers Inc./URS Corporation of Philadelphia.
The redecking project will result in an entirely new deck over the Delaware River including the removal of the suspended span, installation of a new lightweight concrete filled jointless grid deck, structure improvements, new parapets and a new steel shell moveable barrier.
6 lanes out of a total of 7 lanes will be open for traffic during the construction.