Portland–Columbia Toll Bridge

Portland–Columbia Toll Bridge
Coordinates 40°55′18″N 75°05′30″W / 40.9216°N 75.0917°W / 40.9216; -75.0917Coordinates: 40°55′18″N 75°05′30″W / 40.9216°N 75.0917°W / 40.9216; -75.0917
Carries 2 lanes of New Jersey Route 94
Crosses Delaware River
Locale Portland, Pennsylvania and Columbia, New Jersey
Official name Portland–Columbia Toll Bridge
Other name(s) Portland–Columbia Bridge
Portland Toll Bridge
Portland Bridge
Maintained by Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission
Characteristics
Design Ten-span steel girder
Total length 1,309 ft (399 m)
Width 32 ft (9.8 m)
History
Opened December 1, 1953
Statistics
Toll $1.00 (automobiles)

The Portland–Columbia Toll Bridge is a toll bridge that carries New Jersey Route 94 (which ends at the Pennsylvania State Line over the river) over the Delaware River, between Pennsylvania Route 611 at Portland, Pennsylvania and Columbia in Knowlton Township, New Jersey, United States. It is owned and operated by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. U.S. Route 46 merges with Interstate 80 located just north of the bridge on the New Jersey approach. All maps sign the bridge as U.S. Route 611 Alternate.

The bridge opened for public use on December 1, 1953. The main span is a 1,309-foot (399 m) long, ten-span steel girder system, supported by reinforced concrete piers and concrete bin abutments. The bridge is 32 feet (9.8 m) wide from curb to curb. There is no sidewalk on the bridge. The Portland-Columbia Pedestrian Bridge is located 1,000 feet (300 m) upstream of the Portland–Columbia Toll Bridge. Originally the bridge carried Route 611, at the time US 611 over the Delaware River into New Jersey, where the road ended at a 3 way intersection. East began US 46, while west turn would continue US 611 which became a 4 lane undivided highway for 1/4 mile and then a divided highway at the 3 way intersection of route 94. The old Route 611 became 611 alternate. In 1964, interstate 80 signs were added to the freeway portion of US 611. In 1972, interchange entrances and exits off the Portland Columbia Toll Bridge were added. AT this point northbound on the bridge led directly to the beginning of NJ 94 North with exits to 46 east and 80 west. The freeway section of US 611 became interstate 80, which now also would be completed west and eastbound. The southbound entrance to the bridge was accessed from the end of route 94 to the beginning of US 46 and accessed by a right turn onto an interchange. US 611 was converted to a PA state Highway and reverted to the original Route.

A three-lane toll plaza is located on the Pennsylvania side of the bridge, serving westbound traffic only. Cash toll for automobiles is $1.00. An E-ZPass Commuter 40% discount is available to those making 20 or more trips in 35 days.

The Delaware Water Gap Toll Bridge, Portland–Columbia Toll Bridge and the Milford-Montague Toll Bridge were all constructed simultaneously by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, with work on all three started on October 15, 1951, and all three bridge openings spaced approximately every two weeks in December 1953.[1][2]

References

  1. "3 DELAWARE SPANS NEAR COMPLETION; Bridge Between Portland, Pa., and Columbia, N. J., Will Be Opened Next Month", The New York Times, October 25, 1953. p. 78
  2. "UNTYING THE DELAWARE WATER GAP KNOT, The New York Times, November 15, 1953. p. X27

Coordinates: 40°55′18″N 75°05′30″W / 40.9216°N 75.0917°W / 40.9216; -75.0917

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