Sunday, June 01, 2008

DRJTBC Starts Bike/Ped Shuttle Service on Milford-Montague Bridge

Bridge shuttle riders asked to call in advance

MILFORD, PA - The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission urges bicyclists and hikers to utilize their cell phones to call ahead for a free van shuttle service the agency is providing to ensure safe travel across the Milford-Montague Toll Bridge while it is undergoing substantial rehabilitation this summer. The shuttle service is operating seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bicyclists and pedestrians are urged to dial 570-296-8582 as they approach the bridge, which crosses the Delaware River between Pike County, Pa. and Sussex County, N.J. The phone number, which also is displayed on message boards along roadways immediately leading to the bridge, is answered by Commission personnel who dispatch the shuttle driver to the waiting station on either side of the bridge where bicyclists and pedestrians are to be picked up.

Reservations are not permitted for the van service, but the Commission is making every effort to provide timely service when a call is made for the shuttle service. To speed the process, bicyclists and hikers are urged to call shortly before they expect to arrive at one of the Commission-designated safe areas where bicyclists and pedestrians can congregate and wait for shuttle transportation on both sides of the bridge.

The new shuttle service began operations on May 22 and currently is expected to continue until sometime in September. The service was initiated because construction activities that began at the bridge in February forced the Commission to suspend public access to the bridge's walkway -- where bicycles are normally allowed to be walked across the bridge - because it was part of an active work zone.

The shuttle service consists of a 12-person van equipped with a bicycle rack. Riders are required to sign a waiver to take advantage of the service.

In the first 5 days of operation there were a total of 14 trips transporting a total of 24 bikers. There were no hikers.


View Larger Map

Delaware River Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Map

0 comments: