A cargo ship crashed into the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge connecting New Jersey with Philadelphia, causing the bridge to remain stuck open. This blocked vehicle and pedestrian traffic, resulting in severe congestion, though fortunately no injuries were reported.
On Thursday, a cargo ship struck the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge spanning the Delaware River in the U.S. The collision damaged the bridge and left it stuck open, preventing it from closing to allow normal vehicle passage. This caused heavy traffic jams between Palmyra, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania State Representative Ed Neilson revealed that the impact from the cargo ship prevented the approximately 1,115-meter-long bridge from closing, resulting in significant vehicle buildup, especially on the Philadelphia side. However, there were initially no reports of injuries from the incident.
After the accident, officials inspected the bridge damage. Aerial images showed the bridge remaining open over the Delaware River while authorities assessed the structure and damaged areas to evaluate safety before considering reopening.
The Burlington County Bridge Commission, which manages and maintains the bridge, announced via automated messages that the bridge is closed indefinitely to both vehicles and pedestrians. They stated updates would be provided before the evening rush hour.
The Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, opened in 1929, is a toll bridge with three lanes—two heading toward Philadelphia and one toward New Jersey. Estimates from 2025 indicate the bridge handles up to 76,200 vehicles daily.
According to the 2026 National Bridge Inspection report from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, the bridge is rated in fair overall condition. The deck was assessed as good, while the substructure and superstructure, which support traffic loads, were rated as fair.
. Source:AP
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