New Hope/Lambertville Bridge Needs Repairs

This is bad news for New Hope, PA and Lambertville, NJ. The historic bridge, which recently underwent a major renovation, needs serious repairs as a result from damage sustained in the flooding in June. A truss was bent out of shape, and engineers need to make repairs. Closure of the bridge for a period of time is likely, but not welcome:

"The bridge had damage to the lower cord, a horizontal beam that makes up the truss," he said. "It was hit by debris and has maybe a 7-foot dent."

Engineers for the commission are still assessing the damage and working on a repair plan, Peterson said. The commission expects to have a better idea of what the project will entail, and how much it will cost, "in the next week or so," he said.

A key question is whether the commission will close the structure during the work. The previous shutdown, between January and June 2004, hurt the business districts of both towns, according to some community leaders.

"My sense is the bridge closing had a bigger effect on the business district than the flooding," said Lambertville Mayor David DelVec chio.

"I know people in the business community claim it hurt them," said New Hope Town Manager John Burke.

Tom Wilson, president of the Lambertville Chamber of Commerce, said a series of floods begin ning in September 2004 exacer bated the effects of the closing. While local businesses are resilient, "it's a struggle," he said.