In a victory for cyclists and pedestrians, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission announced on Tuesday that the replacement of the Scudder Falls Bridge between Ewing, NJ and Bucks County, PA will add bicycle and pedestrian access. The span will be the only connection in a 7-mile stretch between the multi-use paths on each side of the Delaware River, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Commission acknowledged that inclusion of the 10-to-12-foot-wide paths came in response to input from advocates, including the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadephia and TSTC. “The bicycle-pedestrian facility was easily the topic that received the most comments during the public hearing process we conducted late last year and early this year,” said Frank G. McCartney, executive director of the commission.
The final design for the project, which will more than double the road capacity of the existing bridge, has not yet been released.
Will I be require to walk my bike across what will likely be a half mile walk/bike way? I really hate having to do this every time I cross any other of the DRJTBC bridges.
I thought I was granted all the rights and responsibilities of a vehicle as a cyclists in new Jersey??
But Andy, motorists are also required to walk their cars if they bring them on the bike path.
Oh, and by the way, it’ll more than double the road capacity of the existing bridge! Little detail there that will facilitate driving, undermining the mode shift.
The design also allows sufficient width and structural pavement to support Buses on the shoulder lane. This will facilitate Route 1 BRT. So at least they are moving into the 20th Century in terms of allowing for alternative modes. This is the only bi-state transportation agency that does not subsidize any type of transit service. The Port Authority of NY/NJ subsidizes the PATH train and bus terminal, Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) does the same with PATCO heavy rail system. And Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) subsidizes the Cape May Ferry. Thus all other bi-state agencies that run interstate toll river highway crossings cross subsidize some transit, not this agency, only one in NJ that does not.
NYDOT originally planned to add a bike lane to the Robert Moses causeway bridge that leads to the barrier island beaches when they planned the reconstruction that just began. But they dropped all plans to do so last year and now it will be just for cars, the bike and pedestrian ban will go on for at least another 10 years since some folks who live near the bridge protested that cyclists could be peeping toms looking into their windows…ridiculous!