Cargo boat hits Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, causing major traffic delays
Tacony-Palmyra Bridge reopens after cargo ship crash, repairs ongoing
The Tacony-Palmyra Bridge was closed for more than seven hours Thursday after a cargo ship collided with the span, causing significant evening rush hour delays, according to officials. The bridge reopened to vehicles at 8:40 p.m. with limited access as repairs continued.
PHILADELPHIA - A large cargo boat crashed into the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge on Thursday, causing massive delays on a day already marred by severe weather and flooding.
What we know:
Officials reported the collision sometime before 3 p.m. Thursday.
State Rep. Ed Neilson shared an alert on social media, warning travelers of the collision and its effects on traffic.
Neilson said that after the crash, officials weren't able to close the bridge, causing major delays.
"Motorists planning to travel into New Jersey are strongly encouraged to seek an alternate route and consider using another bridge," Neilson said. "… With the bridge out of service, expect significantly heavier-than-usual traffic at other Delaware River crossings."
The bridge remained stuck and closed to all traffic for more than seven hours, including at the height of the evening rush. Officials worked on repairs throughout daylight hours and after dark, opening and closing the bridge multiple times.
Neilson updated the public on social media around 6:30 p.m., saying the bridge was expected to reopen in time for the Friday morning commute. By 8:40 p.m., the bridge had reopened for vehicles with a lane closure heading into Philadelphia, while crews continued to work on a section of the bridge.
The Burlington County Bridge Commission later confirmed that as of 8:40 p.m., two lanes were open for vehicle traffic — one in each direction — but pedestrian access remains closed due to ongoing repairs.
What we don't know:
Officials say the exact location of the impact and the full extent of the damage to the bridge aren't yet clear. The cause of the crash has not been determined.
By the numbers:
The three-lane Tacony-Palmyra Bridge carries as many as 76,200 vehicles a day, according to 2025 estimates.
What's next:
Crews are continuing repairs to the bridge, with one vehicular lane still closed and the pedestrian sidewalk remaining off limits. The Coast Guard continues to investigate the collision and assess any damage to the vessel involved.
The Source: This article contains information from a Facebook post by Pennsylvania Rep. Ed Neilson on the collision, statistics on bridge traffic, a message from the Burlington County Bridge Commission via the Associated Press and reporting by FOX 29's Dawn Timmeney.