A rendering of what the new Scudder Falls Bridge might look like. (Graphic courtesy of the DRJTBC.)

By Lynn Robbins

The day is approaching when Ewing residents will have to pay a toll to cross the Delaware River via I-95. Residents voiced mixed feelings about the prospect at a Dec. 15 meeting about the Scudder Falls Bridge Improvement plans in Langhorne, presented by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.

The purpose of the plan is to ease congestion on and approaching the Scudder Falls bridge, prevent accidents and provide a multipurpose bicycle and pedestrian path. The main focus of the hearing was a cashless tolling as a solution to keep traffic flowing at highway speed and to pay for the improvement cost, estimated at $322 million.

Ewing resident John Maddock who attended and spoke at the meeting estimated that 50-60 people were present. Maddock expressed concern about potential problems in rerouting traffic and the proposed use of roundabouts at the highway interchanges. Another one of Maddocks’s concerns, shared by other attendees, is the toll charge and the fact that the commission has not announced the amount of the toll. Many of the attendees said they could accept paying a fee as long as it would be kept at a minimum.

Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann does not see the toll charge as an issue as long as it is in line with what the commission charges on existing toll bridges, about 75 cents or slightly higher. The commission’s other bridges over the Delaware charge cars $1.

“I think it will help businesses,” Steinmann said, noting that anything that eases congestion traveling to and from Ewing and Pennsylvania will have a positive effect on local businesses.

In particular, Steinmann foresees benefits for companies located off Scotch and Bear Tavern roads and companies that will someday occupy the old General Motors and Naval Turbine sites.

However, Maddock is concerned that easing traffic on some routes could worsen travel patterns on others. Maddock, who lives on River Road, noted that the commission’s plan could eliminate the current northbound entrance to I-95 with traffic directed to a roundabout, affecting vehicles on Route 29 heading north and south to I-95 and coming off the bridge to Route 29. In a letter to the commission, Maddock wrote, “This roundabout will be heavily used with the three traffic patterns noted above ... The simplest solution would to maintain the I-95 Northbound entrance off of River Road where it currently exists.”

One aspect of the improvement project that enjoys popular support is the proposed multiuse pedestrian and bicycle path.

“I love the idea,” said owner Pete Garnish of Knapp’s Cyclery. “Any time you address the needs of pedestrians and cyclists it’s is a good thing. And, in this economy, it’s good to have alternatives to driving cars.”

Construction of the project could begin in 2013 if the final plan is approved. The commission expects that a National Environmental Policy Assessment decision will be reached in early 2012.

A date for a NEPA decision by the FHWA has not been set. If the FHWA were to issue a Finding of No Significant Impact, the commission could then move the project to final design and then construction.

Residents can view the project document at the Ewing branch of the Mercer County Library on Scotch Road and at the Township Municipal Clerk’s office on Jake Garzio Drive. To learn more about the project and its environmental assessment, visit the website at scudderfallsbridge.com and the DRJTBC at drjtbc.org. The public is encouraged to ask questions or make comments via the toll free hotline at (800) 879-0849. Public comment is being accepted through Jan. 3.