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Released: 5/1/2025 

Overnight Lane Closures on Commodore Barry Bridge: Only 1 Lane Open Each Direction Starting May 5

Beginning Monday, May 5, the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) will begin a project to replace the movable barrier wall on the Commodore Barry Bridge. Work will begin on the New Jersey side and proceed west toward Pennsylvania. Installation will take approximately four to five weeks, weather permitting.

During installation, only one lane will be open in each direction on weeknights from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. The middle lanes (2, 3, and 4) will be closed to allow for the safe removal and installation of the new barrier wall. Motorists should expect delays and allow extra travel time, especially on Thursday and Friday nights when eastbound traffic is typically heavier due to shore-bound travel.

The barrier wall spans three miles and consists of approximately 4,900 individual 39-inch concrete blocks. It is being replaced with a modern steel system and a new barrier transfer machine that enhances safety, offers better crash protection with reduced deflection, reduces wear on the barrier transfer machine, and improves long-term performance. Similar steel barriers and modern transfer machines are already installed on the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman Bridges.

The movable barrier is critical for managing traffic on the five-lane span. It separates eastbound and westbound travel lanes and can be adjusted to accommodate traffic demand. Before its installation in the early 2000s, there was no physical separation, just an empty buffer lane and overhead signals to indicate lane direction.

The movable barrier system upgrade is part of the $220 million rehabilitation project for the Commodore Barry Bridge, which plays a crucial role in connecting Chester, PA, and Bridgeport, NJ. Slated for completion in 2028, the project aims to preserve and enhance the bridge’s safety and reliability. Key work will include blast cleaning and repainting of the bridge, concrete deck repairs, and essential safety upgrades, such as the replacement of the movable barrier.

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