June 8, 2010-PHILADELPHIA, PA. Following
the recent victory for bicyclists and pedestrians announced by the Delaware
River Joint Toll Bridge Commission this past April that a walkway will be included in
the design of a renovated Scudder Falls Bridge, the Bicycle Coalition is
calling upon the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) to take steps to accelerate its
plans to improve access for all transportation users on the only other Delaware
River bridge that connects Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
In a
report issued today, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia delineated
the impediments that make the Ben Franklin Bridge's bike/pedestrian walkway
more of an obstacle course than a bridge, and called for the Delaware River
Port Authority to take steps to transform it into a high-quality transportation
connector between Philadelphia and Camden for all of its users.
"The Ben Franklin Bridge, a fabulous regional amenity that affords
spectacular views of Camden and Philadelphia's waterfronts, shouldn't be
difficult for bicyclists and pedestrians to take advantage of," said John
Boyle, Advocacy Director for the Bicycle Coalition and a daily commuter over
the Bridge. "Our report, Crossing the
Delaware for Transportation Independence, suggests concrete measures for the
Delaware River Port Authority to implement in order to offer more travel choices between Camden and Philadelphia. "
The highlights of the Bicycle Coalition's recommendations calls upon the DRPA to:
·
Accelerate the design of a new ramp in 2011 to
replace the three story stair tower on the Camden side of the Bridge
· Make the entrances to the Bridge on both sides
of the River more welcoming and inviting
· Develop a snow removal policy that opens the
walkway as soon as possible during weather related events
"The recent federal TIGER grant awarded to Camden and
Philadelphia to build multi-use trails leading up to the Bridge will help knit
the two cities closer together," said Matthew Anastasi, Bicycle Coalition Bridge Access
Committee Chair, "this is a great opportunity for DRPA to leverage the TIGER grant by accelerating the design of the ramp to
replace the stairs as soon as possible to enhance bicycle/pedestrian access and
the transportation connection between the two cities."
The full report and executive summary "Crossing the Delaware for Transportation Independence" can be downloaded
here.
###
